"A place where switching off comes naturally. A magical corner of the Renon…" This is far more than a marketing slogan. Anyone who knows the area is familiar with the beautiful setting of Hotel Lichtenstern. With the Ritten Railway stop located just below the hotel, a scenic train ride can easily be combined with a delicious ice cream break.
Speaking of ice cream… For many years, the hotel's famous "Sterner Sepp", now the family's senior host, has been preparing his homemade ice cream with great passion. During the popular "Ice Cream Time at Hotel Lichtenstern" events, he shows children how his renowned "Sterner Ice Cream" is made and often takes his vintage ice cream cart on tour for local events and celebrations.
Just as with the ice cream, high-quality ingredients are the foundation of every dish served at the hotel. Executive chef Gerald Stampfl, who has been leading the kitchen for over twenty years, explains that fresh herbs from the hotel's own garden, seasonal vegetables, dairy products and meat supplied by local farms, combined with creativity, enthusiasm and dedication, result in beautifully presented dishes that delight guests time and again.
Walkers along the Freud Promenade particularly appreciate the addition that has enriched the hotel over the past two years: the charming "Sterner Standl" in front of the hotel, offering refreshments and regional specialities for those enjoying a walk.
Hotel Lichtenstern has long since ceased to be a hidden gem for lovers of fine food and relaxation. Yet few visitors know the remarkable story behind it. A collection of historic and contemporary photographs displayed on the lower floor tells the family's journey from its beginnings to the present day.
The story began under difficult circumstances. Following the flooding of the villages of Reschen and Graun, Anna and Johann Hohenegger were forced to build a new future. In 1950 they purchased the Lichtenstern farmhouse together with its barn, stable and the "Trattoria Stella". The restaurant was first managed by the Tappeiner family and later by the Mayr family. Eventually Sepp, the eldest of five siblings, took over the inn at just twenty years of age. His wife Rosalinde joined him in 1974, and over the following decades the property underwent continuous renovations and expansions.
Since April 2018, Hotel Lichtenstern has welcomed guests with a fresh new appearance, featuring a modern façade of natural materials. Inside, the newly designed dining room is framed by large panoramic windows, allowing the breathtaking Dolomite scenery to become the room's most impressive decoration.
Rosalinde still enjoys decorating the hotel with treasures gathered from nature and lovingly prepares homemade desserts. Together, Sepp and Rosalinde continue to welcome guests personally, always ready with a warm smile, a friendly conversation and often enough time for a little chat. Rosalinde is well known across the Ritten as an outstanding storyteller and joke teller, ensuring that every guest leaves with a smile. She truly is the hotel's good fairy, always caring for guests and staff alike.
Their daughter Barbara, who had already been working at the hotel before its renovation, took over the management in 2018. "This hotel is my life," she says. Together with her parents and her husband Horst, who enjoys helping whenever possible, she continues the family's tradition of heartfelt hospitality.
The same passion is shared by many long-standing employees. Werner Huber has been the hotel's all-round handyman for forty years, while Erika Haller Ramoser has welcomed guests in the restaurant for more than thirty years.
The fourth generation is already preparing to continue the family tradition. Noah, the son of Barbara and Horst, studied at the Kaiserhof Hotel Management School and now combines his university studies with working at the hotel's bar and in guest service.
The future looks bright for Hotel Lichtenstern, where four generations have shared the same passion for genuine hospitality.