Wachtler Dolomite Apartments in San Candido: Our Review

Wachtler Dolomite Apartments (aka Wachtler Residence) are self-catering apartments in the pedestrian zone of San Candido (Innichen) in Alta Pusteria, northern gateway to the Italian Dolomites. 

Open year-round, these apartments offer the perfect base for travelers who wish to experience the charms of town life, with direct access to restaurants, shops, bars, the weekly market, and historic churches.

Guests arriving without a car can reach the Wachtler Dolomite Apartments with a leisurely 10-minute stroll from the San Candido train station. Those traveling by car can enjoy hassle-free parking in a nearby private outdoor lot. 

Kati and I were invited to stay in Wachtler Dolomite Apartments in mid-October. This is an honest review of our experience staying in the Cardium apartment. 

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Pros and Cons of Staying in Wachtler Dolomite Apartments

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The Location

San Candido is located in Val Pusteria, between the Sexten Dolomites and the Villgraten Mountains, a border range separating East Tyrol and South Tyrol. This is the most charming town in the Alta Pusteria region of the Dolomites. It’s also a perfect base for exploring the Northern Sexten Dolomites, Northern Braies Dolomites, and the Carnic Alps. 

The Wachtler Apartments are located in San Candido’s town center above Wachtler Specialitá (shop + café), a popular gathering place for coffee and cake. 

If arriving by train, head east on Bahnhofstrasse/Via Stazione. This street turns into Via Peter Paul Rainer, the main pedestrian street of San Candido. To access the apartments, you can either walk through Wachtler Specialitá shop to reach the reception, or follow the side street to the apartment entrance. See these Google Maps walking directions. It’s only a 10-minute walk from the train station to the apartments. 

If arriving by car, drive to Parking Centrum – Wachtler. Before arrival, guests receive parking instructions. The provided PIN code grants you access to the outdoor parking lot, allowing you to enter and exit freely throughout your stay.

After parking, follow the pathway between Botanic Wachtler and the Art Nouveau Villa Wachtler, the private residence of the Wachtler family. The Wachtler Residence entrance is located next to the DoloMythos Museum store. 

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Check-In and Check-Out

Apartments are available starting at 3 pm. If you arrive earlier, you can store your luggage at the reception. The same code is used for all entry points: the building, apartment, and parking (entry and exit).

If you didn’t check-in prior to arrival, you can do so at the reception between 8 am and 7 pm. The reception can be accessed from both the Wachtler Specialità shop and the DoloMythos Museum store, which are connected to each other.

The PIN code worked flawlessly the entire time, and we loved the convenience of not having to carry a key around.

Guests can choose to interact with the staff as much or as little as they wish. If you need recommendations on what to see and do in San Candido, including the best hikes and restaurants, feel free to reach out to the owner, Nicolas Wachtler, who is always happy to share his local insights.

During our stay, Nicolas offered thoughtful and detailed guidance on hiking to Vallon Popera and Rifugio Berti, along with many great restaurant recommendations. His kind and attentive communication made us feel genuinely cared for.

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The Apartments

There are 12 unique non-smoking apartments in the Wachtler Residence complex. Each apartment is uniquely themed after natural elements of the Dolomites, from fossils and crystals to garnets, ammonite, dolomite, and coral.

The apartment design, materials, and decorative elements are an ode to the research of Michael Wachtler (Nicolas’ father), who has dedicated much of his life to finding fossils and minerals in the Dolomites. He discovered Megachirella wachtleri, “the mother of all lizards,” a reptile that lived in the Dolomites 240 million years ago. 

We stayed in the lovely rose-colored Cardium apartment, which features heart-shaped Dolomite shell fossils (bivalves), fossilized ammonite flooring, a sauna, a dining area, window-bench lounge area, and a modern kitchen with a dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, and microwave.

Another highlight of the Cardium apartment is its sun-drenched balcony overlooking Haunold’s sawtooth peaks, particularly enchanting in the late afternoon light.

Check rates and availability. 

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The Property 

The Wachtler Property is home to several charming establishments.

The Wachtler Specialità Café and Shop is the perfect spot for coffee and cake. It’s brimming with local specialties, ideal souvenirs, and thoughtful gifts. The café’s cozy, wood-paneled Stube connects directly to the Wachtler Apartments reception and the DoloMythos Museum store, with access to the museum located on the lower level.

Along the pathway to the parking area, you’ll come across the Botanic Bistro, a lively spot offering both indoor and outdoor seating. On the upper level, a hidden balcony terrace overlooks Haunold, providing the perfect setting for an aperitivo, coffee, or lunch.

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Parking 

Outdoor parking is stress-free, with plenty of space: no tricky maneuvering or wizardry required. Guests can enter and exit the car park using their personal PIN code, which is the same code used for room access. 

Outdoor parking is complimentary, while garage parking is available by reservation for an additional fee

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Extra Perks

Südtirol Mobil Card | The Südtirol Guest Card is included in your stay and can be requested at reception. This pass gives you free use of public transit within the südtirolmobil network. 

Spa Discounts | Apartment guests receive discounted entries to the Caravan Park Sexten wellness area, which has several pools as well as 10 saunas and 4 steam baths, and Acquafun Innichen. Special-rate tickets are available at the reception. This is a great activity for rainy days and rest days. 

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Service and Staff

Guests can interact as much or as little as they want. Check-in and check-out doesn’t require any direct action. 

Nicolas Wachtler, the owner of Wachler Apartments, gladly provides tailored recommendations for dining, hiking, and excursions, ensuring guests enjoy the finest experiences San Candido and its surroundings have to offer.

You’ll find the reception inside the Wachtler Store, below the Wachtler Apartments. 

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What to See and Do

Tre Cime di Lavaredo – Drei Zinnen | The Three Peaks of the Sexten Dolomites are most commonly accessed via the Rifugio Auronzo Toll Road (pre-booking necessary). However, keen hikers can hike to the Three Peaks from Val Campo di Dentro or Val Fiscalina, two side valleys of Sexten.

Prato Piazza – Plätzwiese | This sprawling plateau in the Braies – Prags Dolomites is the starting point of the easy Monte Specie – Strudelkopf peak hike, which affords an unforgettable view of Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Cadini di Misurina mountains. If you’re comfortable hiking along narrow ledges, definitely hike the Gaisl High Trail from Prato Piazza Plateau to the Ponticello car park/bus stop.

Lago di Braies – Pragser Wildsee | Lago di Braies is beautiful, but the experience is diminished by the crowds. I think the best way to experience the lake is with an early start combined with the Hochalpenkopf Peak circuit hike. 

Prati di Croda Rossa – Rotwandwiesen | These meadows in the Sexten Dolomites, accessible via the Croda Rossa gondola, mark the starting point of a beautiful trail to the Passo Monte Croce (Kreuzbergpass) mountain pass.

Carnic Alps Alpine Pastures | Starting at the Kreuzbergpass mountain pass, follow the circuit trail that connects Nemesalm, Casera di Rinfreddo, and Casera di Coltrondo.  

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Learn More about San Candido

• Where to Stay in San Candido
• San Candido Travel Guide

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