Hotel Sonne near Merano: accommodation where you’re part of the family
4 generations of heartfelt hospitality. But what does that mean at Hotel Sonne? It’s the cheerful “Good morning” from host Caroline at the reception. It’s the mischievous splash of water from senior hotelier Margret’s garden hose. It’s the tales of the good old days that senior hotelier Herbert tells at the bar almost every afternoon. It’s the family stories that Samuel and Madleen sometimes share by the pool with their childlike charm and cheeky grins. And host Philip? He’s probably hard at work somewhere around the hotel.
Holidays near Merano in accommodation with style and character
Traditional and modern blend together so wonderfully here that it seems like they’ve always been that way. Would you have ever imagined that your design room was once a farmer’s parlour? Many things have changed over the centuries, but one thing has always remained the same: “Die Sonne”, meaning “the sun”, has always been the village meeting place. A place that you and we fill with life together.
Your hosts at your accommodation near Merano, Italy
We’ve already told you a bit about ourselves. “We” means Philip and Caroline with our two children Samuel and Madleen. The two senior hoteliers Margret and Herbert also bring a lively feel to the hotel. They’re officially retired, but unofficially … Let’s put it this way: it’s debatable. While Philip is a real all-rounder and lends a hand wherever he’s needed, Caroline loves managing the reception. However much there is going on, we always find time for one thing: having a good heart-to-heart with our guests and helping them feel at home on their holiday around Merano at our accommodation. And before Samuel has the chance to share the next family story with you at the Sky Pool, we’d like to tell you a little something ourselves. Can you find all our Alpin & Style stories on this website?
Hotel Sonne near Merano, your accommodation for holidays in South Tyrol, has been run by our family for 4 generations. But the story goes back much further. The building – known as “Gasshuben” back then – was first documented in 1371. It’s believed it was once home to the rectory and craft workshops. The building changed again and again over the centuries, from a farmhouse with meadows and pastures to an inn, which our ancestors acquired. Great-grandfather Josef Ganthaler founded the Pension Sonne guesthouse in the heart of Partschins, which was already a popular holiday destination in Merano and Environs back then. In 1960, his son Karl Ganthaler and his wife Antonia “Tona” took over the business.
During the first major renovation in 1966, the parlour and dining room were relocated to the vaulted spaces on the lower floor. Additional guest rooms were also added. Even then, the Sonne was ahead of its time: It was one of the few guesthouses to offer running hot water, and all rooms were fitted with a bath and WC.
After the death of Karl Ganthaler in 1992, Herbert Ganthaler and his wife Margret took over the guesthouse and began gradually remodelling. A fire in 2001 led to the Sonne being fully renovated and converted into a 3-star hotel. The rooms were made more luxurious, brighter, and larger, and the quality of the hotel and restaurant areas was brought to the fore.
Philip, Herbert and Margret’s son, joined the family business in 2007. In 2013, the Ganthalers also acquired the neighbouring “Rasnerhaus” building, which laid the groundwork for today’s Alpin & Stylehotel Die Sonne. After a relatively short planning and construction period, the new building with its stylish design was opened in April 2017. The original ensemble of buildings was finally reunited in 2025 with the construction of the two chalet apartments in the adjacent former farmworkers’ residence.
