In mid-April, Daniel travelled to Lucerne - more precisely to the Bürgenstock Resort high above Lake Lucerne. This year's "101 Soirée" took place there: the anniversary edition of the renowned hotel ranking "The 101 Best", organised for the first time for the entire DACH region.

A big gala, many well-known faces from the top hotel industry - and a backdrop that speaks for itself. For Daniel, it was also a wonderful moment to experience the world-famous Bürgenstock Resort for himself as a guest, to exchange ideas and take away new impressions. Thank you for the warm invitation and the unforgettable evening.

The Hotel Castel in Dorf Tirol is listed in 29th place in this ranking with a rating of "Excellent" and takes second place in the "Luxury Lifestyle Hotels & Resorts" category - among the 101 best hotels in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and South Tyrol.

The rankings are based on guest reviews from various portals, recognised awards from specialist publications and personal assessments by experts who visit and test the hotels on site. The fact that we are represented in this circle fills us with real joy.

99 points last year - that was already a rating we were very proud of. And yet this one question remained: What if...? Now we know. In the new Falstaff Hotel Guide 2026, the Hotel Castel is rated for the first time with 100 out of 100 possible points.

The Falstaff Hotel Guide is one of the leading references for top hotels in the German-speaking world and recognises the best hotels in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and South Tyrol.

The certificate simply arrived in the post. No stage, no gala. And yet - or perhaps precisely because of this - we looked at it for a long time.

Did the new infinity pool with panoramic views over the Merano region make the decisive difference compared to last year?

We don't know for sure, but we can well imagine that it did. What we do know for sure: This rating is not a resting place for us, but a benchmark - and an obligation to maintain the standard at our luxury hotel in South Tyrol every day anew.

Some honours are earned once. Others have to be earned season after season - and that is precisely what gives them their special value.

Since 2020, the Connoisseur Circle has been honouring the best luxury hotels in South Tyrol in twelve categories, including hospitality, cuisine and wellness offers - judged by the magazine's travel experts, a multi-week public vote and independent guest reviews.

The Hotel Castel has now been awarded the title of "Best Gourmet Hotel in South Tyrol" for the sixth time in a row.

Six years in a row - this is no coincidence, but the result of chef Gerhard Wieser's tireless passion, a team that gives its best every day and guests who have been loyal to our hotel in Dorf Tirol above Meran for years.