About happiness, the Messner family and hospitality

What would we Messners do if there wasn’t a Masl? We don’t want to think about it. After all, this extraordinary hotel here in Valles has been our life’s focal point for four generations. The house itself is much, much older. Make yourself comfortable, we’ll tell you all about it.

We’re in the year 1680 when the Masl farmer in Valles was granted a license for a tavern. Up here in the remote Val di Valles, more than 1,350 metres above the distant sea, the mountains are within easy reach and the temptations of the big world are far, far away. So having its own inn is just what the small mountain village needs. Over the centuries, the economy has its ups and downs, sometimes business is slow. At one point, the Masl belonged to the church and then found its way to the Mayer family. In 1864, Messner Josef from Val di Funes asks for the hand of Maria, the innkeeper’s beautiful daughter. He's not only marrying her but also getting the inn. Since then, we have always been called “Messner”. But the Masl kept its name. We absolutely love thinking about the day after tomorrow, but some things should definitely stay the way they’ve always been.

Thomas has been given a lot by his parents. Like the essential enthusiasm for being a gracious host, for instance. Or commitment, a vital ingredient for a family enterprise like ours. The very name chosen by Alois and Marianna has set the stage for their son’s remarkable journey with the Masl. Literally! After all, Thomas isn't that far off to Tho-masl. You don’t believe us? Then keep reading. In a church register from Val d’Ultimo dated 1379, there is mention of a "Masl" as an early version of the name “Thomas”. But perhaps our Thomas was just lucky. In Vienna, having a “Masl” means being blessed with good luck or providence. “Masl” has its origins in the Hebrew word “mazal”, which means – you’ve guessed it – luck!

Luck alone is rarely enough. You’ve got to put in the hard work and make bold decisions. Like Alois and Paula Messner. In 1949, they welcomed their first “real” holiday guests. They came all the way from Milan and enjoyed full-board for just 900 lire and the latest thing in bathroom facilities just along the corridor. Fast forward twenty years, and a lot had changed. Winter holidays in South Tyrol became extremely popular. In the mid-1970s, Josef Alois Messner and his wonderful wife Marianna took charge of the Masl. They are the heart and soul of today’s Masl. If you’re interested, they’ll eagerly share tales of yore and maybe even let you into what they’re plotting to do next.

1680 - How it all began:

 

The Masl farm is officially licensed as an inn for the first time. That’s where our story begins.

 

1864 – A match made in the mountains: 

 

Josef Messner from Val di Funes marries Maria Mayr, daughter of the Masl farm. From then on, they are not ‘just’ farmers, but innkeepers too.

 

1940 – The third generation takes over:

 

Grandson Alois falls in love with Paula Stolz, daughter of the Huberwirt Inn in Valles. She says ‘yes!’, gives him three children and proves to be a wonderful hostess.

 

1973 – Lois, the second:

 

Son Josef Alois ‘Lois’ marries the innkeeper’s daughter from the Wiedenhofer in Terento. Her name is Marianna Schmid. They go on to have two incredible daughters and a wonderful son.

 

1949 – The big wide world comes to Valles:

 

The first summer guests arrive! Everything is so exciting for these refined visitors from Milan. Full board? 900 lire per person.

 

1978 - From inn to hotel

 

Things are getting comfortable! Following renovations, the Masl is now a 3-star hotel, complete with indoor pool and sauna.

 

1997 – Wellness and comfort

 

The Hotel Masl becomes a wellness pioneer in Valles: The Messner family builds the area’s first wellness facility – and adds lifts, too.

 

2003 - A farm finds a new home

 

A brand-new Masl farm appears. The animals are now even happier and enjoy more space and a modern pen on 130 hectares of land.

 

2006 - Time for the Masl to grow

 

The Messner family invests in a new hotel wing with suites, indoor pool, outdoor pool, Alpine hut sauna, fitness area and children’s zones.

 

2014 – Thomas takes over

 

Marianna and Josef Alois hand over the reins to their son, Thomas Messner. But the Masl remains what it’s always been: a true family-run hotel.

 

2020 – The Masl becomes a 4-star superior hotel

 

The Messners build again. A new entrance with a garage is added and the reception, bar, restaurant, play area and garden are completely redesigned. The reward? A well-deserved upgrade to four-star superior status.

 

2021 – Green energy for the Masl

 

The Masl estate now includes a beautiful chapel from the 18th century, the listed ‘Burgerhof’ farm, several mountain huts on the Malga Fane – and an electricity plant. Dating back to 1941, it is powered by water. Eighty years later, the Messners renovate it from the ground up and also install a photovoltaic system. Since then, the Masl has been supplied with electricity from renewable energy.

 

2025 – Appreciation for our team and our guests:

 

Those who do an outstanding job deserve to enjoy their free time to the fullest. So we’re building 20 new, spacious accommodation units for our team. And our guests can also look forward to something special. Over 16 new suites, an adults-only wellness area and our Family Spa.