book online check availability
offers and last-minute
find it right here subscribe to our newsletter
Tel. +39 0474 710 379 hotel@alpenblick.it
You listen to the soft, calming music, enjoy the scent of mountain herbs and feel warm hands gliding smoothly over oiled skin, releasing deep tension. Completely focused on the wonderful, relaxing sensation, truly in the here and now. Body and mind relax; long lasting inner peace and contentment spread through you.
Who can work such wonders? Evi, of course, who is responsible for the SPA area in the hotel and massages our guests with great passion. For her, every treatment is an adventure, every person an individual who deserves their own perfectly tailored massage. Mass-production? Unthinkable. She loves her profession, and you can feel it. For Evi, massage is not just her job, it is the giving and receiving that fulfils her too.
Dear Evi, a few years ago you decided to change professions … How did your career as a masseuse begin? Yes, that’s right, before that I worked as a waitress in a mountain hut. But that was very stressful, which is why in 2016 I began my training as a masseuse in Neustift, which lasted a year. And now I’ve been at Hotel Alpenblick for eight seasons, meaning four years. 😊
Do you still remember your very first massage? Yes, I was very, very nervous. At first, I didn’t think that I could manage it. My problem in the beginning was always that I couldn’t keep to the time … I always massaged longer than planned. By now I’ve got much better at that … what helps me a lot is always listening to the same music, so I know exactly with which song I should, for example, be working on the legs.
Was there a moment when you thought: this is why I love my profession? Yes, to be honest, every day. The touch during massages activates the mutual parasympathetic nervous system, which ensures that you yourself are relaxed and stress-free. It’s not only about contact with the skin, but also with the person as such and the exchange of energy, which is very beautiful. Of course, it also makes me really happy when a guest leaves feeling truly delighted, giving compliments or simply looking visibly relaxed and content after their massage. That gives me so much, and at the same time I give a lot back, creating a beautiful balance of giving and receiving … That’s what makes my job so rewarding and why I love it so much.
What do you think are the most important qualities of a good masseuse? For me, structure is key - a massage should have a clear, well-thought plan. You can’t just rub here and there; every movement should be deliberate, with consistent pressure throughout. And of course, you need to respond to the guest: do they prefer a firmer touch or a gentler, more relaxing massage? Which oil do they like best? We discuss all of that right at the start. During the massage, I check in to make sure the pressure is right and invite guests to speak up if anything feels uncomfortable. I always adapt to them. Other than that, there isn’t much talking during the massage. I believe it’s a time for complete relaxation.
So things are very calm while you’re massaging … do your thoughts ever drift to everyday things, like the next shopping trip? No, I’ve honestly never thought about shopping during a massage. Maybe for a brief second I imagine how lovely it would be to be relaxing by the sea - but within moments I’m completely focused again, entirely present with myself and the guest. Generally, I’m very concentrated on what I’m doing. I’m always searching for the areas that need attention and asking myself: where can I help? That focus keeps me fully engaged.
„One thing that sets them apart is that I make my own oils. The hotel provides sunflower and sesame base oils, which I infuse with herbs such as arnica or thyme. After three to four weeks, the oil is ready, and I know exactly what’s in it. I find that very important. Arnica is my favourite, as it’s great for joints, swelling, and redness, and it helps to relax the muscles.
Why are massages so important? Because they release happiness hormones - oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. Sometimes, though, emotions can come up, and a guest might even start to cry. That’s perfectly okay, as it’s a release of something that’s been held in. Touch is incredibly effective at unlocking internal blockages, and I find that very rewarding. Seeing someone leave feeling better than when they arrived brings me a deep sense of satisfaction and joy - knowing I’ve truly helped.
Which type of massage do you enjoy giving most? I particularly love full-body massages. Around 30 of the 50 minutes are dedicated to the back, neck, and shoulders before moving on to the rest of the body. I spend extra time on problem areas. My massages often combine different techniques, including relaxation work where I focus on the vagus nerve, or the Dorn-Breuss method to realign joints. I always tailor my approach to each individual guest, and I like to introduce something new each time. That way, even someone who comes every day during their holiday never feels like it’s a standard massage or some kind of assembly-line treatment. That’s why the question I hear most often at the end is: “What kind of massage was that?” There really isn’t a straightforward answer, because I use so many different techniques and movements that each massage is completely unique. It’s simply adapted to the individual.
Do you remember the funniest or most unusual request from a guest? Yes, once a guest requested a pelvic massage - for a full 50 minutes! And I thought: “How am I supposed to focus on just the pelvis for 50 minutes? Admittedly, I was a little overwhelmed since I’m not a physiotherapist, but the time passed and he didn’t complain. 😅
On average, you give around five massages a day - that must be exhausting. What do you do in your free time to relax? Yes, it is quite demanding. By the evening, you can certainly feel that you have had a busy day. But I enjoy it; I always leave work in a good mood, even if I’m tired, and I look forward to returning the next day and spending time with people. After all these four years, my passion for the job is still very much alive. In my free time, I don’t do much specifically to relax. For me, pure relaxation comes from going into the mountains to pick the herbs I need for my oils.
Do you ever get massages yourself? Far too rarely - maybe twice a year. I use those moments not just to relax, but also to observe how others work, to feel what techniques are particularly effective and what might be less so. It’s always a learning experience. Honestly, I really should have massages more often … but you know what I would truly love? I would love to experience a massage given by myself – just to feel what works especially well and what I could improve. 😅 That would be a dream!
Yes, it’s a shame that it’s not possible 😅. What else do you dream of? Which celebrity would you love to massage one day? None! I’d be far too nervous, and I don’t like being nervous … it would completely throw me off. I much prefer not knowing who is lying in front of me. It could be a judge, a celebrity I don’t recognise, or just anyone - the main thing is, I have no idea. Even in private life, I feel much more relaxed and open when I don’t know exactly who I’m dealing with
Understandable! Do you have any final tips for aspiring masseuses? Absolutely - you mustn’t be afraid of touch, and you always need to look after yourself. For example, if a man comes in who isn’t really there for the massage but for something else, you notice it quite quickly - usually from the way he looks at you or the grin on his face. That’s why we’ve learned to place a towel over the eyes so they can’t see you. But if someone still tries to touch you during the massage, especially young masseuses need to protect themselves and stop immediately. That kind of behaviour is simply unacceptable.
Yes, that’s certainly very good advice! Thank you so much, Evi, for sharing your time and thoughts with us! 😊