Above the Clouds: The Regenerative Sanctuary of Forestis Spa
- Corey Jones
- Jan 6
- 3 min read
At 1,800 meters above sea level, high on the Plose slope, Forestis is a hotel designed as a conduit for one of Europe's most spectacular views. The jagged peaks of the Dolomites are the singular focus, and nowhere is this more apparent than in its 2,000-square-meter spa. This is a sanctuary of profound calm, reserved exclusively for hotel guests over the age of 14, ensuring an atmosphere of uninterrupted serenity.
The spa is a masterpiece of minimalist design, built to pull the outside in. The undisputed centerpiece is its superb indoor-outdoor communicating pool. We spent hours moving through the water, heated to over 30°C, with the sun flooding the indoor space through great bay windows and the peaks of the Dolomites reflected on the water's surface. It is a space that is as regenerating as it is beautiful.
This philosophy of nature-centric wellness is not merely aesthetic; it is the core of the spa’s identity. The entire wellness concept is inspired by the Celts, the ancient Druids who once roamed these forests. Instead of leaning on traditional Asian modalities, Forestis has built its ethos around its own unique heritage.
The facilities are extensive and thoughtfully curated:
Heat and Cold: The spa features a multitude of saunas, including three indoor saunas with direct mountain views. A separate outdoor sauna is housed in a traditional wooden hut, set near a bracing cold plunge bath. A hammam is also available.
Relaxation: Beyond the loungers lining the pool, the spa offers several distinct relaxation rooms. We were particularly captivated by one space, designed to be completely dark save for a few small lights, creating an enveloping environment that serves as a powerful invitation to let go.
Amenities: The spa is entirely self-contained, with its own library and a refreshment station offering deliciously flavored waters, fresh fruits, and nuts.
The Wyda Room: The hotel has a beautiful, light-filled studio dedicated not to yoga, but to Wyda. This is the Druid theory of movement, a European practice akin to Qi Gong, which aims to unite humanity and nature.
The treatments are where the Celtic-inspired philosophy is most profoundly felt. The spacious, state-of-the-art treatment rooms, all facing the mountains, are the stage for rituals rooted in the surrounding forest. The spa has developed its own signature products, using ingredients from the forest, such as the intoxicating pine-scented amenities, to ground the experience in its location.
We found the daily complimentary sauna ritual to be a highlight. A spa team member guides a small group through a 15-minute session, using a large fan to move the essential-oil-infused heat to powerful music. This intense, meditative experience is followed by an invigorating dip in the cold plunge pool.
The signature treatments are unique and deeply connected to the spa’s ethos:
Forest Tree Circle Ceremony: This is the essence of the Forestis philosophy. The ritual begins with an intuitive selection of a healing wood from four different species. This wood, along with an associated stone, is then used in a treatment designed to activate energies and harmonize the conscious and unconscious.
Wyda Sessions: We participated in a guided Wyda session, a practice of mindfulness and gentle movement that can be experienced in the dedicated studio or, more powerfully, in the forest itself.
Forest-Based Therapies: The menu is built around the properties of the forest, featuring treatments like healing wood massages and forest salt baths, all designed to regenerate the body and spirit.
The Forestis Spa is a rare destination that delivers on its promise. It is not an add-on to a luxury hotel, but a complete, holistic system. It masterfully blends world-class facilities with a unique, authentic wellness philosophy that feels both ancient and entirely modern, leaving us feeling profoundly connected to the extraordinary landscape.
Forestis
Palmschoß 292
39042 Brixen
Dolomites, Italy
+39 0472 521 008
