Our philosophy is shaped by intuition, encompassing the essence of places, people, and the way we warmly welcome our guests. It has never been just about accommodation and standard norms. For us, hospitality is a freely chosen vocation. A gift, perhaps a special talent, not a family inheritance. Our hospitality, to you – our guests – in particular, is true to its word. We cultivate relationships based on mutual trust and interest in getting to know one another, always respecting your privacy. This connection runs deep. This feeling is genuine.

In 2020, I returned to South Tyrol. After a short period of reorientation, I took over Pergola Residence and, together with Haus Engadein and Spazio 46, gradually shaped it into what is now the boutique collection PERGOLA.

Before diving into hospitality, I worked in Paris, London and Singapore, but in very different industries. Coming from another field, I have always believed in creating spaces that work in an honest way: beautiful, well thought-out, and brought to life by the people who bring their heart into them every day. My guiding principle: to shape things the way I would want them as a guest myself – for a stay where you simply feel well taken care of.

If we want to talk about Yin and Yang, one thing is clear: Franzi – calm, grounded, and almost impossible to rattle – is the Yin in our constellation. Since 2025, she has brought her composure, her natural sense of hospitality, and her love for food and wine to PERGOLA.

After professional experiences in Austria and Mallorca, Franzi worked in some of South Tyrol’s most exciting restaurants, including the Miil and the Blaue Traube. Most recently, she worked in hospitality across Australia before traveling through New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Fun fact: Franzi holds both a firearms license and a forklift license – unexpected skills that say a lot about her drive, versatility, and hands-on attitude.

For 20 years, Ruth ran the Pergola Residence. With her honest, open, and intuitive nature, she laid the foundation for the hosting culture that still defines us today. For many, Ruth is – and always will be – the true soul of the house.

She has watched the children of many long-standing guests grow up – and to this day, we often hear affectionate anecdotes about the little girl who once peeked over her shoulder in the kitchen and now returns with her partner. And it’s thanks to Ruth – and the legendary insider tips she continues to pass on to Franzi – that we still serve our homemade cakes in the lounge.

Not the kind of guy who wants to be captured in a photo, Josef – together with Matteo Thun over 20 years ago – brought the vision of Pergola Residence to life. Operationally, he has always stayed in the background. Where is the best chance to meet him? At one of our aperitivo evenings: there, he serves the Vernatsch, slices the speck, and shares the perfect stories to go with it. Always on the move, Josef is constantly chasing new projects - whether in hospitality or elsewhere. Standing still? Not in his vocabulary.

For years, a remarkable team has been working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly: Annemarie – with us almost from the very beginning – along with Margit and Niko, who take care of the rooms; our handyman and all-round talent Freddy; and Luise, who keeps everything under control up on the Ritten. They are our unsung heroes, the ones who make sure everything shines and functions flawlessly, quietly contributing to the comfort and well-being of our guests.