After a smooth touchdown in South Tyrol, we toasted to the start of this year’s Arena—Altitude Attitude at Parkhotel Mondschein. The hotel’s lush garden and historic building set the scene for a Notte Italiano with live music and local flavors by Luna Restaurant and Alto Pizza.
At NOI Techpark, we explored Altitude Attitude as a call to think higher and lead with purpose. Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, reminded us that true hospitality is a generous, deeply human act. Talks from Stijn, Sarah, Christian and our Portfolio team followed, alongside Jitendra Jain’s vision of AI and The Future Laboratory’s take on the evolving rituals of travel and togetherness. Between sessions, partner spaces and the Design Hotels Library opened, offering a first look at our new book.
For our closing dinner and celebration, we came together at family-owned winery, Lageder, where the evening began with a candlelit meal and memorable dessert moment. Then, as Italo disco vinyl began to spin, Club Arena made its iconic return, carrying us late into the night, and all the way home.
On our final day, we gained new altitude in both mindset and action at Villa Arnica and Hotel Schwarzschmied in a series of four workshops. From line-drawing lessons with cover artist of Designed to Stay, Monja Gentschow, to explorations of craftsmanship with House of Manus, next-generation leadership with Yamil Errasti, and insights into loyalty marketing, the day encouraged reflection and a more considered way of seeing the world.
The historic 1477 Reichhalter in Lana provided the perfect backdrop for our first gathering of Originals. Free-flowing wine, easy conversation, and a playful, locally inspired menu set the tone for a night of effortless connection.
It was time to climb higher, in both altitude and in spirit. As a gondola carried us skyward, a group of local musicians played below, their melodies drifting up through the crisp mountain air. We then set off on a scenic hike to Seespitz, where we enjoyed hearty Knödel and heard from explorer Vincent Colliard, the record-breaking cross-country skier with a penchant for Arctic landscapes, his stories of endurance leaving us somewhere between awe and aspiration.
At Vigilius Mountain Resort, sleek interiors and sweeping valley views set the scene for our closing celebration. After a wine tasting led by Helena and Clemens Lageder, glasses were raised in toasts from both Stijn and loyal Originals, fittingly for the bonds strengthened over days of shared ascent and adventure. The energy then shifted to the altitude attitude dance floor, spilling out to a firepit beneath a star-filled sky. Now, the baton is handed from South Tyrol to Oaxaca and we look ahead to 2026…
Images Lucy Deverall and Taja Vaetoru
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