For the last 2 years in a row, we’ve been very lucky to spend the lead up to Christmas luxuriating in a family spa hotel surrounded by the snow-capped Italian Alps.
In 2023 we fell in love with Feuerstein, a 5-star family hotel in South Tyrol, and in December 2024 we booked a stay at the brand-new AKI Family Resort, 30 minutes away from Feuerstein near the town of Brixen.
We made the decision to return to South Tyrol, not just because we love this region of the Italian Alps with its unique blend of Italian and Austrian heritage, but because hotels in this part of Europe really know how to spoil families.
The two hotels we stayed at have a very similar offering. They are both 5-star family spa hotels with incredible family-friendly spa facilities, plus all childcare, activities and meals included. They both have a similar ethos, which is about spending quality time as a family surrounded by nature, but in a way that’s effortless and stylish too.
If you are choosing between a stay at Feuerstein or AKI there is no wrong answer here – they are both truly amazing properties. But to help you narrow down the choice I’d thought I’d share some differences I noticed between the two, as well as how they compare overall.
At a glance – AKI versus Feuerstein
| Feuerstein Nature Family Resort | AKI Family Resort |
|---|---|
| Best for active families, older children and teens | Best for babies, toddlers, and adults seeking calmer environments |
| Flexibility to self-cater in large suites or chalets | Full board basis only |
| Closer to Innsbruck Airport | Better located for exploring the Dolomites |
| 1 hour from Innsbruck Airport | 50 mins from Bolzano Airport*, 90 mins from Innsbruck (*not as many flight options from London) |
| 5 mins from Ladurns Ski Resort, 15 mins from Rosskoph Monte Cavallo | 5 mins from Plose Ski Resort |
If you haven't already done so, I'd recommend reading my full reviews of Feuerstein Nature Family Resort and AKI Family Resort now!
My personal opinions after staying at both
- Feuerstein has a lot more things for kids to do. Activities it offers that AKI doesn’t is an incredible play barn with hay loft and climbing wall (AKI’s has a smaller version), a mud room, riding stables, and a brand-new action room with Ninja Warrior course and interactive games aimed at older children. Feuerstein also has a bigger sports arena, recently added Padel courts, and a separate wood workshop and painting studio. (AKI’s are combined in one room).
Find out more about the Children's World at Feuerstein
- AKI has a calmer vibe overall. We chose AKI for our recent trip as I was celebrating my 40th birthday and wanted to feel a little less busy. If you’re an active family then Feuerstein is perfect, but if you prefer a slower pace I think AKI has more than enough to do without feeling hectic. At AKI we mostly participated in bitesize family activities that only had a handful of other people participating.
Find out more about AKI Kid's World
- Both hotels have incredible complimentary baby care and kids clubs. At Feuerstein we didn’t use the kids club, partly because we were busy in the supervised play areas and partly because the children were mostly non-English speakers and Miles was too nervous to join in. At AKI, however, we used kids club at least once a day, sometimes just for an hour after dinner. It was quiet during our stay and Miles was very welcomed by staff. You can see into the room for older children from the lobby bar so it was reassuring to see him sitting at a crafting table with 1 or 2 other children while we enjoyed a quiet digestif.
- I personally found the pool area at AKI more comfortable. It feels slightly unfair to compare the two as AKI is brand-new so everything is in pristine condition, but I loved the cosy couches and general layout of the AKI Water World, which had lots of quiet areas to relax in while still enjoying the views. The outdoor pool at AKI is bigger than Feuerstein’s and has interrupted views of the valley. Feuerstein has a more magical feel though as you’re immersed in a valley and can see spruce forest and peaks all around you.
- The adults-only spa area at Feuerstein is bigger and arguably better than AKI’s. Feuerstein has several levels of sauna and steam rooms and a rooftop whirlpool on top of the main building. AKI’s adults-only spa is smaller but more intimate, hidden in a separate building surrounded by forest.
- Food on the luxury/full board was excellent at both hotels, although meal times were slightly more generous at Feuerstein. I seem to remember lunch at Feuerstein extended into an afternoon tea that ran until 4pm, while at AKI lunch finished at 2pm and the restaurant didn’t reopen for dinner until 6.30pm.
- Feuerstein has a greater range of room types available, including self-catering suites and chalets with kitchenettes that you can book on a breakfast only basis. AKI only offers full board as standard but can accommodate larger families in their 3-bedroom ‘Family Home’ that sleeps up to 7.
- We don’t ski so I cannot comment on whether the slopes are better at AKI or Feuerstein. Both hotels offer ski hire, shuttle to the nearby ski resorts (5 mins away) and can arrange ski school for kids. Both hotels have a small slope for sledding and ski practise. Feuerstein also has a handy magic carpet ski lift on site and some places to sled or cross-country ski directly outside the hotel.
- In terms of location, Feuerstein is closer to Innsbruck Airport, which is the easiest place to fly to from London. We took a taxi from Innsbruck Airport to Feuerstein and it took less than an hour. AKI is approximately 90 minutes’ drive from Innsbruck Airport but is better located to explore the UNESCO-heritage Dolomites region. We hired a car for 5 days on our recent trip and it was the same price as the taxi transfer to Feuerstein.
When it comes to rooms, service and overall experience, both hotels are amazing and I cannot fault them.
I hoped this has made your decision between the two a little easier. You can also view stories from our stay at both on my Instagram highlights and find reels with more info here and here.
Read next:
Feuerstein Review: Magical 5-star family hotel & spa in South Tyrol
