A grand hotel in South Tyrol
Nestled in the heart of Selva di Val Gardena, cradled by the serene majesty of the Dolomites, you’ll discover a hotel that has been making history since 1896. Embodying the very essence of South Tyrolean hospitality, The Oswald Grand Hotel has opened its doors once again as a chic and peaceful sanctuary for world travellers. We have renovated this historic house with great sensitivity, preserving its soul while bringing its elegance into the present day. Here, timeless luxury, understated nobility and closeness to nature combine to create an unforgettable experience.
Hospitality with conviction
Luxury for the soul
The Oswald unites the storied legacy of a historic grand hotel with modern hospitality grounded in quality, mindfulness and lived values: genuine warmth, well-considered luxury and thoughtful discretion. Every encounter, every moment is personal. We don’t aim to dazzle with ostentation; instead, we welcome you with style and warmth.
You’ll find the essence of our hospitality in that deep sense of having truly arrived. In long evenings in the panoramic sunroom and walks into open, untouched nature. In meaningful conversations, beautiful food and quiet moments gazing out the window.
Architecture and design
A masterful composition of old and new
Yesterday and today come together, each enriching the other. Our careful restoration of the Grand Hotel honours its soul, combining its historic heritage with contemporary lightness – out of respect for the past and love for the present. Quality materials create impressive spaces that invite moments of relaxation and ease. Fabrics, stone, wood and light create stories of origins and transformation, of grandeur and tranquillity. Nothing happens by chance; everything flows from feeling. We’ve created a space that makes permanence tangible, a place of extraordinary history and architecture. Welcome.
130 years of The Oswald in Selva di Val Gardena
A hotel with history
Since 1896, our luxury hotel has been an icon of South Tyrolean hospitality in the heart of the Dolomites. Generations of travellers have discovered a temporary home here, finding inspiration and creating unforgettable memories. It has been a meeting place of worldly souls, always guided by the same mission: to welcome people. Each era has left its mark, and each generation has looked to the future. Today, we carry this history onwards: honouring our origins, looking towards tomorrow and seeking to enrich every stay with a touch of timelessness.
1896
The opening
Karl Pitscheider opened the Hotel Zur Post as one of the first hotels for travellers in Val Gardena. From the outset, it drew artists, mountaineers and nobility to its concerts, balls and summer retreats in the shadow of the Dolomites.
1906
The birth of an icon
The construction of the striking tower façade gave the hotel an unmistakable profile and a new name: “Oswald von Wolkenstein” – a symbol of elegance and permanence that defines the heart of Selva di Val Gardena to this day.
1929
The first winter
The Oswald opened its doors for the first time in winter. Just a few years later, the installation of modern central heating transformed comfort levels, establishing the hotel as one of the finest in the Alps and across Europe.
1945
A time of change
During WWII, the hotel first served as a school and, from May 1945, as a military hospital for German soldiers – before Allied forces occupied it. After the war, the Hotel Oswald served as a distant campus for the renowned universities of Oxford and Cambridge for many years.
1966
A new chapter
After decades of splendor and transformation, the hotel is sold to a financial group from Milan, which unfortunately leads to its gradual decline. Yet its history lives on in the memories of countless travellers and the village community.
1978
Reopening by the hoteliers of Selva di Val Gardena
Twenty-three local hosts joined forces to revive The Oswald – a powerful expression of solidarity and identity in Val Gardena.
1980
The rebirth of Hotel Oswald
Hotel Oswald reopens its doors, marking a new chapter in its history.
2025
A new chapter
Following a careful, architecturally distinguished renovation, The Oswald Grand Hotel shines with renewed elegance. A historic hotel that hasn’t left its history behind but continues to write it with an open, cosmopolitan spirit.
Our rooms and suites
Where beauty finds a home
Discover our new rooms and suites, featuring fine fabrics, custom furniture, elegant Alpine luxury, exquisite details, supreme comfort and enchanting views. Each a stylish holiday sanctuary where past and present merge in perfect harmony.
