T H E ( R E ) B I R T H O F M O N A S T E R O
ARX VIVENDI
Renovating a former monastery? It’s not an easy feat. With the aim of preserving the property’s monumental aura and dimensions, Manuel and Steffi commissioned the South Tyrolean architectural firm noa* with the sensitive project.
After two and a half years of intensive planning, 40 new rooms and suites were created from the former quarters in just ten months. These extend over three floors, some with impressive heights of up to five metres, unobstructed views, or a private sauna. As soon as you leave the heavy, wooden entrance to the hotel behind, a circumferential
cloister leads to the reception, the breakfast room, as well as the bar and lounge area. To preserve the historic charm of the old walls, but at the same time to place them within the context of a modern hotel, they only restored what was necessary. As such, the original stucco remains, as well as the wooden doors and the imposing cross vault in the ceiling. The ground floor is also home to the Hortus Suite, the largest of all accommodations with a private sauna, a freestanding bathtub, and a 280-square-meter private garden. On the first floor, a hall-like, 50-metre-long corridor welcomes guests. Once a place for prayer, the original wooden double doors still lead to the former monastery rooms, which were elevated into spacious guest rooms by the hosts. With their hand-planed oak floors, custom-ma-de four-poster beds, and monochromatic colour palette, each of the rooms resembles a serene oasis. That’s because the Arx Vivendi isn’t just a hotel. It’s the place you want to return to after an eventful day of exploring – a coming home. A place that embodies the ancient expression ‘ubi bene, ibi patria’ – home is where life is good. “The Monastero is a place of deceleration, a place where you can leave everyday life behind and find time to relax, enjoy, and experience,” says Manuel Mutschlechner.
THE CALL OF MONASTERO
ARX VIVENDI
About three years ago, a series of coincidences led Steffi Happacher and Manuel Mutschlechner to the Monastery of Servants of Mary in Arco. The south wing, which was for sale at the time, had been abandoned since the 1950s and was in a dilapidated state. The north wing was still inhabited by four cloistered nuns of the Order. “There’s a special energy that surrounds you when you step inside these time-honoured walls, and of course into the large garden, which was still overgrown at the time…”, Steffi recalls. The couple hadn’t initially planned to buy the vacant property and convert it into a hotel. In fact, it was more of a case of amore a prima vista or the ‘call of the monastery’, the couple says with a twinkle of the eye. It was the magic of this place, with its massive ancient walls and the charm of long-forgotten times, that led them to begin their next chapter. Almost intuitively, the idea for the ‘Monastero Arx Vivendi’ was born: a hotel that lets ars vivendi – the art of living – echo through all its rooms. And so, in the months that followed, the two neo-hoteliers created the frame-work. Steffi, who helms from a family of hoteliers and previously worked in marketing, and her partner Manuel, who came out of banking, combined their skills with their vision of a carefree holiday. From the design of the rooms with their spacious showers to the Italian natural cosmetics brand in the spa, and their favourite jam at breakfast:
their attention to detail is felt and appreciated by guests today. “The Monastero Arx Vivendi is a project close to our hearts and is located in a place that we ourselves have chosen as a home for our family and whose uniqueness we would like to share with our guests,” says Manuel Mutschlechner. “Throughout, we’ve used our ideas of what
the perfect carefree escape entails as our guide.”
SALUS PER AQUAM
Today as then, the monastery garden is a place of recreation. Here, between lush vegetation and the light-flooded spa, guests can truly lose themselves. The sun tickles the senses, and citrus and lavender notes are in the air. In the distance, the rugged mountains frame the view. This unique backdrop can be soaked up from the hotel’s spa and garden. While the Castello di Arco and the mountain of Monte Stivo tower over the monastery walls in the background, seven new, airy, and serene buildings made of glass and metal line up along stone columns in the vast monastery garden, forming the wellness area. Here, between saunas, a hammam, and a heated outdoor pool, guests can forget everyday life for a few precious hours.
THE HEALING POWER
OF NATURE
The hotel’s spa menu is inspired by the healing practices of monastic medicine. There’s a reason why monastery gardens are considered the cradle of European pharmacy, after all. Here, hostess Steffi has incorporated valuable knowledge of the vegetation and of the healing effects of simple ingredients, herbs, and plants into every treatment.
The spa menu features everything from a gentle aroma oil massage and revitalizing dry brush practices inspired by medieval monasteries, to a pomegranate body treatment. The pomegranate has a special significance in the Arx Vivendi. Not only is the red fruit a symbol of life, fertility, beauty, and diversity. It also appears in the hotel’s logo, the ornate archway, and as flowering trees within the monastery garden, nestled between fragrant citrus trees and lavender bushes. In accordance with the hostess’s own requirements, the treatments are carried out exclusively with carefully selected natural, organic products.
Whether by the Italian natural cosmetics brand OWAY, or essential oils and care products by Flora, guests can also enjoy fragrant hand soap and body wash, among other things, in rooms and suites. Another special feature is the in-house hammam, a place to take the ritual of self-care to the next level. To Steffi, hammam experiences are
particularly beneficial; an experience she wanted to share with her guests. Created 4000 years ago, the hammam is still a symbol of enjoyment and regeneration. Not only is the ritual extremely effective for colds or cardiovascular problems. The steam also helps the body and psyche reduce stress and tension, which immediately promotes
well-being. The idea of listening to one’s body and treating it well is entirely in line with the philosophy of the monastery. Mens sana in corpore sano – a healthy mind in a healthy body.
BREAKFAST AND BAR
Let’s face it: nothing beats a nice, big breakfast on vacation. Set in the monastery’s historic laundry room, hostess Steffi isn’t leaving anything to chance. The result is a compilation of the couple’s favourite ingredients from the region. A feast of freshly and lovingly prepared plates, toppings, Mediterranean focaccia, and fresh egg dishes.
The coffee beans come from the village roastery, the crispy bread from a small artisan bakery, and the jam from Steffi‘s South Tyrolean hometown. Here, too, locality and seasonality are top priorities, echoing the hotel’s philosophy. Whether vegan, gluten-free, or without restrictions, the daily buffet from 7:30-11.00 AM is as versatile as it is
generous. To keep hunger pangs at bay, guests can order hot and cold dishes from the small but varied lunch menu, which focuses on regional flavours and seasonal produce.
Small, delectable pool snacks can also be conveniently ordered from sun loungers via the hotel app. Perfectly matched by a glass of wine, like the region’s celebrated sparkling Trento DOC, or a cocktail refined with an in-house essence, created by the bar manager. The Monastero Bar is open daily until 8 PM, after which guests can let their imaginations run wild with the finely stocked Honesty Bar.
As the Monastero Arx Vivendi deliberately doesn’t have its own restaurant, guests are invited to dine out and explore the Arco restaurant scene. Whether Michelin-starred dining or an agrichiosco, a wine tasting or a delicious olive oil tasting – as ambassadors of the undiscovered treasures of Lake Garda, Steffi and Manuel encourage guests to discover new things while offering only the best recommendations. To ensure that the hotel provides a fully multisensory experience, the couple also regularly invites chefs from the region over to spoil guests with delicious tastings and refined menus during and after a leisurely sundowner – Carpe diem.
A R C O: B E T W E E N P A L M T R E E S
AND PEAKS
Magnificent live groves, rugged rocks, mild temperatures, and splendid mountain lakes. More than 500 years ago, the poet Rainer Maria Rilke and the painter Albrecht Dürer, both of whom visited the spa town of Arco as young men, enjoyed this slice of dolce vita. And even today, the Habsburg family’s small climatic health resort north of Lake Garda attracts numerous visitors from spring to autumn. Surrounded by towering rocks, enthusiastic climbers from all over the world meet in Arco to reach new heights. Whether the castle hill with its imposing ruins, Monte Colodri, or Monte Colt – mountain bikers and hikers are sure to get their money’s worth and are rewarded with a unique view of the Sarca Valley during the ascent. And then, of course, there’s Lake Garda itself. Surrounded by palm trees, olive groves, and lemon trees, the postcard-worthy scenery is one of the most popular destinations in the Alps for good reason. Thanks to its numerous winds, it makes an ideal launchpad for surfing and sailing. And for a more relaxing time, exploring the lake by boat trip or swimming along one of the picturesque shores make great options. But Arco isn’t just a summer destination. Travelers can enjoy the first ice cream already during a mild spring, explore villages far away from the tourist crowds in autumn, and take part in the olive harvest or hike in vineyards while visiting wineries. Culture lovers can admire numerous attractions from spring to autumn: whether the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta in Arco, the Museo delle Scienze in Trento or the famous Arena di Verona. The old town of Arco itself enchants with picturesque small alleys, magnificent Art Nouveau villas, and cosy cafés and bars that invite you to linger. In short, it’s a feast for the senses.
Surrounded by palm trees and mountains, the Monastero Arx Vivendi is a haven of peace guests will want to return to, time and time again.
THE PROPERTY
40 Rooms and Suites
Spa & Heated Outdoor Pool
Monastery Garden
Bicycle Rental
BAR & HONESTY BAR
Light Lunch & Pool Menü
ROOMS & SUITES
In the Monastero Arx Vivendi, former monastic cells have been converted into 40 new rooms and suites. These extend over 3 floors, some with impressive room heights of up to 5 meters, unobstructed views, or a private sauna.
The Monastero Arx Vivendi is located in the centre of Arco,
4 km from Lake Garda.
PRICES
Starting from 230 euros per night per room including breakfast. Bookable via the website.
CONTACT
Via Mantova 13
38062 Arco TN, Italy
info@monastero-arxvivendi.com
+39 0464 748059