Hotel Finkennest

“Very children friendly hotel and environment”

We had to stay 1 week with our 2 grand children in this hotel; it was not my favorite place but I have to admit that this was the right place for my grand children. Very nice swimming pool, as well inside and outside. Also the whole area is very children friendly. I am afraid they will go back

“Childrens dreamhotel”

Nice spacious/clean rooms. Friendly staff. Delicious food and great ambiance. Fabolous outside pool! Also inside pooo and sauna facilities are top knotch. In short: excellent hotel for small children up until 10-11years!

“Fine family-friendly hotel”

The hotel was clean and easy to access, and the views were spectacular. The suite we had was perfect for a family like us with two young children. The swimming pools (in and out) were great. The breakfast was good, although the selection of baby food could have been a little better. Dinner was fant… more

The hotel was clean and easy to access, and the views were spectacular. The suite we had was perfect for a family like us with two young children. The swimming pools (in and out) were great. The breakfast was good, although the selection of baby food could have been a little better. Dinner was fantastic. We didn't take full advantage of all that was on offer for the children, but it looked good. A couple if members of the staff could be a little surly, which was disappointing and needless. All-in-all we had a wonderful time and will surely return.

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“Beautiful location, disappointing hotel”

The location of the hotel is great - a 2 minute stroll in to the village of Scenna with a lovely atmosphere; superb deli, lovely spots for a drink, great little ice cream shop and a church and mausoleum to view. The view from the hotel is wonderful - being so high up, you get some great views of So… more

The location of the hotel is great - a 2 minute stroll in to the village of Scenna with a lovely atmosphere; superb deli, lovely spots for a drink, great little ice cream shop and a church and mausoleum to view. The view from the hotel is wonderful - being so high up, you get some great views of South Tyrol. Of course the landscape provides excellent hiking spots, and a short bus ride to Merano, you have the best of both town and country. We were however really disappointed by the hotel itself. It is old fashioned and says a lot on paper, but in reality, it barely lives up to its promises - least of all for a small baby. This is not a four star hotel, more like a definite three. The rooms were fairly well equipped for a baby - crib, changing table (which we didn't use as it looked a little unsafe coming out of the wall), baby bath and old school jam making style thermometer. However, our bedroom, which housed a four poster bed didn't fit in the room! We couldn't open the windows, which was a little annoying given the temperatures were above 30 degrees. In addition - we were rather surprised there was no air conditioning, and it got a little worrying one night as temperatures became a little too hot for the baby (nb. the further up the hotel you go, the hotter your room). Annoyingly we were next to a German couple who were very heavy smokers (despite having a little girl), and liked to have a night-time fag before turning in... the stench of cigarettes would waft through our open balcony door just as we were drifting off to sleep. In fact, on our first night they smoked skunk, so we were stuck with that until it wore off. Our only choice was to sleep with our balcony and bedroom windows shut to avoid the unpleasantness. I came down to reception on our first night to ask to change rooms, but there was no-one to speak to - just a waiter, who we think was drunk! I have never felt like leaving a hotel before, but on that first night, we were very close to. The food is average - with a buffet-motorway service station style salad bar. All the dishes lack any type of finesse, and are just geared towards a more 'all inclusive' audience. There are a few nice touches such as salad which is grown in the garden on site, and a delicious apple strudel which is served at lunch. The waiting staff are extremely attentive and incredibly charming. However, dinner is not relaxing, and you are very much rushed through your courses - constantly being asked if you are ready for your next 'gang.' The atmosphere at dinner is not great so do not expect a romantic end to your day! The lights are brightly lit and there are no tables set up outside for dining al fresco. Our biggest disappointment with the food was with that for our baby. It is advertised online that fresh purees are made every day, but all that was on offer was a carousel with a load of HIPP baby food jars. We avoid bought food where we can and prefer our baby to eat fresh food on a daily basis. We asked for some vegetable and chicken and vegetable purees to be made up in the evenings (seemed too much of an ask for the kitchen to make lunch for him as well!) and they obliged, but they were really watery and runny, like soup. We ended up buying our own baby rice to thicken the consistency so it was more like a meal. It still wasn't the 'textured' food our baby is used to. The facilities for kids are great - amazing kindergarten complete with outdoor play area, cinema room and wonderful attentive staff should you need this. We felt our baby was too young to be left alone, but we played with him in the kindergarten, and it was great for him to play with other toys aside from the small selection we had brought with us. On site there is also a little farmstead with a couple of ponies, and lots of rabbits. The grounds are lovely and the gardens very pretty - rosemary and lavender grow with beautiful roses. This landscaped bit is new, along with the outdoor swimming pool which is the star of the whole hotel. It is not heated, which makes it a little chilly for babies, but there is a great indoor swimming pool which is lovely and warm, complete with a little lap pool and slide for younger children. All in all, although the hotel grounds and location are beautiful, it is very obvious that the management do not want to spend a single penny on the finer details, yet seem to think that the amount charged to stay here is worth it. I met Mr Fink during our stay, and he asked why no 'Englands' stay... it is precisely because it lacks any attention whatsoever, and it is just about functioning on a basic level. It is really a great shame that the food, lack of attention to babies and general atmosphere is very lacing indeed. Unfortunately we will not be recommending this to our friends, nor returning unless it is totally revamped. The only thing that has great attention to detail is Mr Fink's rather glamorous wife...

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