Imagine a place where the air smells of fresh mountain hay, where bees buzz and dance through the garden, and where you sit at the breakfast table and spread organic honey from your own apiary on a freshly baked bun. Are you there in spirit? Then welcome to the APIPURA hotel rinner on the Ritten.

A place where love of nature meets lasting enjoyment and genuine South Tyrolean hospitality. What makes this hotel so special? A family that has been welcoming guests with heart and dedication for three generations. A kitchen that uncompromisingly focuses on organic food. And an attitude to life that makes you take a deep breath from the very first moment.

Whether you are traveling with your family, seeking peace and quiet in nature, or are passionate about bees and ecological management, the APIPURA hotel rinner has many surprises in store for you, both big and small.

Pure nature above Bolzano

Green pastures, deep forests, rolling vineyards and spectacular views of the Dolomites – the Ritten is a very special place. The high plateau above Bolzano is one of the sunniest regions in South Tyrol and combines everything that makes nature lovers and those seeking peace and quiet happy in a small area.

Fifteen charming villages are scattered across the plateau in the Sarntal Alps, inviting you to hike and enjoy. At the same time, Ritten is one of the most sustainable holiday destinations in the region.

Car-free transportation

The RittenCard was introduced in 2011: it allows you to use all public transportation for free, including the historic Ritten narrow-gauge railway, the cable car to Bolzano and the mountain railway to the Ritten Horn. It also gives you free admission to some 80 museums and exhibitions, such as the Ötzi Museum or the Messner Mountain Museum.

The historic narrow-gauge railway stops at the “Rinner” station, right in front of the APIPURA hotel rinner. And as a guest, you will receive the RittenCard for your stay, so you can leave your car at home, or even better, leave it at home. Bolzano and the Ritten are easy to reach by train from many cities in Austria, Germany and Italy.

Tip: The region is also perfect for e-biking! The Ritten Tourism Association offers weekly guided e-bike tours, which are also free with the RittenCard!

Regional Highlights

The Ritten is a wonderful place for leisurely or active hiking (in winter with snowshoes), mountain biking or simply relaxing in nature with children. Besides the Rittner Bahn and the Rittner Seilbahn, which make the journey an adventure in itself, Karin Rinner from the host family has revealed her favorites.

• The Rittner Horn with its 360-degree panorama of the Alps                                                                                                     Whether you reach the top on foot or by cable car, you will be rewarded with a 360-degree view that, on a clear day, stretches all the way to the Ortler Group. In summer it is a dream for hikers and mountain bikers. In winter it is an insider tip for quiet skiing and snowshoeing.
• The Earth Pyramids                                                                                                                                                                                  A true wonder of nature and a symbol of the Ritten: these bizarre, tapered clay formations, created by erosion, look almost otherworldly. On the Earth Pyramids Trail you will pass several of these impressive formations. A homemade earth pyramid adorns the staircase of the hotel 😉
• Ötzi the Iceman                                                                                                                                                                               At the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, you can get up close and personal with South Tyrol’s most famous citizen: Ötzi, the 5,000-year-old glacier mummy, fascinates with his story and his amazingly well-preserved equipment from the Neolithic Age. Ötzi carried a bag with three flint tools (a scraper, a drill and a carving tool), a bone needle and a piece of mushroom for making a fire.

Bees, organic and mountains: The story of the APIPURA hotel rinner

Today’s APIPURA hotel rinner welcomes guests from all over the world and began as a labor of love centered on beekeeping. For three generations, the Rinner family has had a close relationship with nature, and more specifically with bees. This special relationship not only shapes the history of the hotel, but also the hotel experience today.

In 1966, Manfred Rinner’s grandparents laid the foundation for a very special hotel. At that time, they planned a pure bee house with an apiary apartment in a cleverly chosen location. Easily accessible, sheltered from the wind and with a climate that is perfect for the little pollinators. On the lower floors of the house, there are honey stores, a centrifuge room, a workshop and a queen breeding room. Outside, in the front yard, the first bee colonies were soon humming.

But during the construction phase, the idea took on new forms. Inspired by the development of tourism in the region and driven by the desire to welcome guests, the bee house was converted into a guest house with comfortable rooms, showers and toilets. Paul Rinner and his wife Resi continued to develop the unusual hotel concept and, in close cooperation with researchers, focused on innovative approaches such as Api-Wellness, where participants inhale the air from the beehive.

A hotel with deep roots and new ideas

Today, Manfred Rinner runs the hotel with his siblings and family, remaining true to the values that have characterized the hotel from the beginning: sustainability, regionality, and a close relationship with bees. At the same time, he brings fresh ideas to the table, such as a consistent focus on organic quality and cooperation with “Bio Fair Südtirol”.

Organic Ambassador Manfred Rinner

For Manfred, regional is not enough. Since 2023, the APIPURA Hotel Rinner has been the first hotel to be awarded the “Bio Fair Südtirol” label – a sign that only regional, certified organic products are used in the kitchen and that these are combined with fair work and social justice. For the host, this is not just a question of quality, but an expression of a deep ecological conviction and the approach that organic can also be regional.

This is also evident in his respectful approach to food as the hotel’s executive chef. In the kitchen, the approach is holistic – nose to tail for meat, root to leaf for vegetables. What others might consider a “cut” here is transformed into aromatic broths, fine sauces, or creative side dishes. Not only does this create intense flavors, but it also consistently combats food waste.

In the region, Manfred is a dedicated ambassador for organic products. He is actively promoting the organic idea and inspiring producers to switch to organic farming.

Senior partner Paul Rinner – Passionate organic beekeeper

An encounter with senior partner Paul Rinner is also an experience. The beekeeper knows everything there is to know about bees and is always happy to talk to guests who have questions and are interested in learning more. Maybe there is something you have always wanted to know about bees or beekeeping. Be sure that Paul Rinner can answer your question.

Paul started beekeeping at the age of twelve and is still out and about with his colonies. He translates the diversity of South Tyrol into a wide range of honeys. From mild apple blossom honey to strong alpine honey, each drop reflects the landscape through which he and his bees pass.

Naturally, the entire apiary is certified according to Bioland guidelines, as is the natural beekeeping and the absence of chemical medication.

Unique: Relax with bee-scented air

Another special feature of the APIPURA hotel rinner is the aforementioned wellness concept, which can only be found there: Api-Wellness. Based on the methods of Jürgen Schmiedgen, a certified organic and apitherapeutic beekeeper, senior partner Paul Rinner combines decades of beekeeping knowledge with modern findings from natural medicine and science.

The heart of the treatment is the beehive air. Enriched with essential oils, pollen and other aerosols, and scented with propolis, wax and honey – sucked directly from the beehive. Gently, naturally and without disturbing the bees. While the bees continue to work, you relax on a wooden bed and breathe the air through a mask with an inhalation system – without any direct contact with the animals.

The effect? Calming, invigorating and soothing. It has also been shown to relieve the symptoms of allergies.

If you prefer a more traditional spa experience, there is also a hot tub and barrel sauna on the roof.

A vacation with a clear conscience – for the whole family

APIPURA hotel rinner is the perfect place for you and your family if you are looking for a relaxing yet sustainable vacation. A family atmosphere awaits you, creating a home away from home for young and old alike.

Your children can play in the garden playground or in the indoor playroom while you enjoy the breathtaking views or relax in the wellness oasis. It’s also a great place to bring grandma or grandpa for a multigenerational vacation.

A special experience for children is the bee learning trail created by the Rinner family.

Tip: There are special family rooms for 4 to 6 people!

In short: a stay for all the senses

APIPURA hotel rinner is the ideal place to enjoy nature, make lasting impressions and relax completely. Here you will find the perfect mix of activity, enjoyment and awareness. Experience a prime example of sustainable tourism in terms of travel, region and accommodation. It doesn’t get much greener than this!

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