A new name has arrived on Italy’s luxury hospitality scene. The Hinteregger family has introduced SAN SONNEA, a collection of nature-focused retreats spanning the Dolomites and Lake Garda.
The collection builds on more than two decades of hospitality at Sonnwies Dolomites, which has been renamed SAN SONNEA Family Dolomites. It is joined by the upcoming adults-only SAN SONNEA Lodge Dolomites and Borgo SAN SONNEA Lake Garda, an intimate retreat overlooking Italy’s largest lake.
Although the three properties offer distinctly different experiences, they share a philosophy centered on nature, well-being, personalized service and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
A New Chapter for Sonnwies Dolomites
SAN SONNEA represents an expansion of the Hinteregger family’s original vision for Sonnwies, long recognized as one of the Dolomites’ notable luxury family resorts.
Rather than creating a uniform hotel brand, the family is developing a collection in which every property reflects its particular setting and community. Architecture, seasonal cuisine, wellness experiences and local traditions will help give each retreat its own identity.
“SAN SONNEA is the natural evolution of our family’s story, but it’s also our response to how we believe people want to travel today,” said owner Anna Hinteregger.
According to Hinteregger, the collection is intended to offer places where nature determines the pace and guests have time to reconnect with the landscape, with one another and with themselves.
SAN SONNEA Family Dolomites
Formerly known as Sonnwies Dolomites, SAN SONNEA Family Dolomites is the flagship property in the collection. The resort is surrounded by forests and meadows at the foot of the Dolomites and incorporates its own working farm into the guest experience.
The resort is introducing several additions designed to strengthen its combination of family travel, outdoor exploration and Alpine wellness.
A new Equestrian Center features Haflinger horse stables, an indoor riding arena and a dedicated rider lounge. Its educational riding experiences are designed to help children develop confidence while encouraging a respectful connection with animals and nature.
The new Forest Spa offers another interpretation of the resort’s natural surroundings. Features include a forest-facing onsen pool, mindfulness programming and treatments inspired by Alpine botanicals.
Families looking for more space and privacy can choose the new Forest Villas. Set within the woodland, these multi-bedroom residences provide secluded accommodations while retaining access to the resort’s restaurants, wellness facilities and family programming.
The expansion allows families to combine outdoor activities and time together with quieter, more restorative experiences. Travelers interested in exploring the region further can also find inspiration in DRIFT Travel’s guide to the best walking holiday destinations for mountain lovers, which includes the Italian Dolomites.
SAN SONNEA Lodge Dolomites
Opening later in 2026, SAN SONNEA Lodge Dolomites will offer an adults-only alternative within the collection.
Located amid the dramatic mountain scenery of Val di Funes, the lodge is being developed around regeneration, creativity and conscious living. The experience will combine immersive wellness with quiet luxury and opportunities to engage with the surrounding Alpine landscape.
While SAN SONNEA Family Dolomites focuses on shared family experiences, the lodge will provide a more peaceful setting for couples and independent travelers seeking privacy, reflection and a slower pace.
Its location should also make the property appealing to travelers who want to experience the Dolomites beyond the winter ski season. Hiking, scenery, regional cuisine and wellness have helped establish the mountains as a year-round destination.
Borgo SAN SONNEA Lake Garda
The collection’s third property brings SAN SONNEA’s nature-based hospitality philosophy to Lake Garda.
Surrounded by olive groves and overlooking the water, Borgo SAN SONNEA Lake Garda is envisioned as an intimate countryside hideaway. The retreat will celebrate Italian slow living through tranquil accommodations, a close connection to the landscape and experiences influenced by the rhythms of lakeside life.
Lake Garda’s combination of waterfront towns, mountain scenery, historic villas and outdoor recreation makes it a natural complement to the Dolomites. Guests will eventually be able to combine the collection’s mountain and lake properties as part of a longer Northern Italy itinerary.
For additional Lake Garda inspiration, DRIFT Travel recently explored how another family-owned property is shaping the region’s luxury hotel experience in Grand Hotel Fasano Elevates Summer on Lake Garda.
Nature at the Center of the Guest Experience
SAN SONNEA’s launch reflects a broader shift in luxury travel. Increasingly, travelers are looking beyond elaborate accommodations and traditional resort amenities in favor of experiences that feel connected to their surroundings.
For SAN SONNEA, nature is intended to be more than a scenic backdrop. Each property will use its landscape to influence the design, food, wellness programming and daily pace of the guest experience.
Future retreats are expected to follow the same approach while maintaining their own local character. The collection says its longer-term vision will continue to emphasize regenerative hospitality, thoughtful design, personalized service and experiences inspired by nature.
With one established family resort entering a new chapter, an adults-only Dolomites lodge on the way and an intimate Lake Garda retreat completing the initial collection, SAN SONNEA is creating several distinct ways to experience the landscapes of Northern Italy.
