In 1551 an elephant found lodgings at an Inn: renamed the Elephant soon after.
This hotel in Brixen is named after an elephant which was brought on route through the city in 1551 and temporarily quartered at an inn at the exact same spot where the Elephant hotel still stands. Since 1773 the it has been owned by the same family and managed with care and dedication right up to the present generation.
From 1773 to date this four-star hotel has never changed hands
This Historic hotel in South Tyrol, has hosted the Habsburg emperors,
the king of Belgium, the rulers of Savoy, dukes, grand dukes and princesses
“I am a traveller. I am a nomad. I have rarely slept in the same
bed more than three or four nights in all. And I know that life in the hotel is better than any other”
Diane von Furstenberg
It was the evening of December 18, 1551 when Soliman the elephant, accompanied by a procession of Bohemian and Hungarian nobles, servants and valets entered the city to rest from the long journey at the then inn "AmHoheňFeld".
By some strange coincidence, my arrival in Bressanone at the hotel Elephant came exactly 467 years to the day after the arrival of the pachyderm (here the coincidence ends, woe betide anyone who suggests I have anything elephantine about me). Suffice to say I did not receive the same reception as Soliman who was a gift from the king of Portugal to Maximilian of Austria. His stay lasted some two weeks, then everyone resumed their journey north to Austria.
Imagine the sensation it caused and the emotions experienced by those who saw this "fairy tale creature", for the first time in the flesh!
The innkeeper then had the idea of portraying the arrival of the huge guest with a fresco still visible on the western façade of the hotel. And the Inn was renamed the Elephant.
Another characteristic of this hotel, also meriting its inclusion in the register of historic hotels of South Tyrol is that from 1773 until today, it has been owned and managed by the same family.
As Hans Heiss, historian and brother of the current owner Elisabeth Heiss Falk describes in his book "The path of the Elephant" The family business has suffered 246 years, of wars, changes of nationality and two big fires, It was not easy to cope with these adversities that often threatened the continuation the family business and renew the Hotel’s offer in keeping with the times. Yet the family and the hotel remain. Like a rock, lashed by the waves. 
Elisabeth's son, (here we are at the eighth generation), Michael Falk and soon to be married Eleonora, continue to look after the family home, together with the historic director Tomasor Tettamanti.
Michael in particular, manages the restaurants Elephant and Apostelstube and the wine shop The restaurant won a Michelin star back in 1967, the first awarded in South Tyrol, but was subsequently refused by owner Wolfgang Heiss due to the exceptional commitment involved in maintaining it.
Elisabeth, with that innate class that transpires from her every single gesture is busy watering flowers in the late-Gothic parlor and tells us that over the centuries the hotel has hosted emperors of Hapsburg, the king of Belgiu
Brixan or Bressanone as it is known in Italian is the oldest city in the Tyrol, destination for centuries on the travels of European sovereigns. The historic charm, romantic and slightly retro enchantment of the Elephant’s interiors transport us back in time. Traces of a great past are evident and give a mysterious aura to this hotel full of precious carpets and works of art from various periods.
The Elephant is home to its own fascinating museum, with a library of ancient volumes, a crib featuring the inevitable elephant and books signed by guests going back to the seventeenth century.
It is well worth looking into the showcase containing a collection of various objects in the shape of elephants, (some of great value) most of them donated by appreciative regular guests.
The forty four rooms, partly on the two floors of the historical hotel, partly in the Villa Marzare in the park, are each different one from one another. You sleep undisturbed in absolute silence. Many of the rooms look towards the park, where there is the swimming pool and tennis courts.
For someone like me who suffers from the cold, the temperature in the centrally heated room felt about right but some guests have found it quite excessive.
The service is impeccable. For those seeking relaxation, there is also a wellness area with Turkish bath, sauna, fitness and solarium. Ample parking is available.
The motto of the house, dating back to the eighteenth century can be read on a stairwell going up to the second floor (Translated): "That which cannot be changed I accept with good grace If I cannot do what I want, I will do what I can". Could this be the secret to the survival of this historic family house?
Hotel Elephant
Via Rio Bianco 4
39042 Bressanone (Bolzano)
Tel. +39 0472832750
www.hotelelephant.com
info@hotelelephant.com
