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Sascha, host of FinKa Hostel in Mals, South Tyrol, and Leo admire the homemade pizza dough. In the cozy FinKa common room, local food culture meets heartfelt hospitality in the Vinschgau Valley.
Detail view of a bright twin room at FinKa Hostel in Mals, South Tyrol. Seen through the wooden frame of a bunk bed, with mountain view and decorated bedside table – perfect for cyclists along the Via Claudia Augusta.
Vinschger bacon dumplings on a wooden board, served with South Tyrolean speck and red wine – at FinKa Hostel in Mals, South Tyrol. A traditional Alpine dish popular with hikers and cyclists along the Via Claudia Augusta.
Sascha and Leo sit in the garden of FinKa Hostel in Mals, South Tyrol, on the so-called ‘Philosopher’s Bench’ – a small wooden retreat for open-air conversations, books, and reflections.
Vintage floral embroidery in the staircase of FinKa Hostel in Mals, South Tyrol. The still life with sunflowers and berries adds nostalgic charm to the former military building.

HOSPITALITY AT THE FINKA

Quite deliberately – and how could it be any different – we carry on the cultural heritage of Vinschgau hospitality here at the FinKa. But from the very beginning, we wanted to do it our own way – far from conventional tourism and hotel concepts. Instead, we took inspiration from the guesthouses of the 1950s and 60s and the long tradition of inns that offered simple, down-to-earth lodging to travelers passing through the Vinschgau Valley. In the spirit of a “new simplicity,” we created a place that reflects these ideas.
Anyone who travels a lot knows those rare places that stay with you – the ones where you instantly feel at home. Places with a unique character, something that makes all the difference. They spark curiosity, tell stories, and connect you with fellow travelers and kindred spirits. They feel unlike anything back home – and yet, they feel like home.
These are places that seem slightly out of time, full of little details that keep catching your eye. Places that don’t pretend, where people are just themselves and show you life without putting on a show.
These are the places we all look for while traveling or on holiday – but rarely find. They’re not easy to spot among the endless offerings. Because what makes them special can’t be packaged into glossy brochures or ad campaigns. They are simple places, made extraordinary by subtle nuances, a sense for atmosphere, and genuine hospitality – places that make your stay feel timeless and deeply enjoyable. That’s exactly what we’ve worked toward. Our goal was – and still is – to create such a place with the FinKa: rooted in its surroundings, culture, and history, and intentionally different from all those standardized places that reduce travel to a “lateral shift” – interchangeable, forgettable, and unremarkable.
One more essential aspect of hospitality at the FinKa is freedom – the freedom not to consume anything. That may sound like bad business, but it’s how we want it. At the FinKa, there’s no subtle pressure to buy a drink at the bar or order from the restaurant. Bring your own, if you like. Or cook for yourself in the guest kitchen, just the way you like it.
Everyone is free to shape their stay the way they want. And yet, the options are plentiful: there’s the Salone with a cozy library, our restaurant with its small but thoughtful menu, and of course the garden lounge – with hammocks, picnic tables, and plenty of space to unwind. You’ll even find our little wellness corner: an old bathtub that serves as a cold plunge in summer – or an icy bath in the heart of winter. And if you’re feeling thoughtful, head to the philosopher’s bench to contemplate life, the universe, and everything in between.
I still remember the time when we were planning the FinKa and the renovation was in full swing. We looked through countless guides and strategy papers, all preaching the same thing: define your target audience clearly, position yourself precisely, build your brand around it.
Luckily, we didn’t follow that advice – or we’d have excluded more than half our guests. We knew from day one that the FinKa should be a place for everyone. Of course, every now and then we host people who don’t quite “get” our concept – who expect not just a lateral shift, but a vertical one as well: the comfort of a 4-star hotel for a hostel price, with a breakfast buffet that leaves nothing to be desired. And to be fair, we already offer a lot – especially local and regional products... but still. Being open to everyone doesn’t mean trying to please everyone.

(Excerpt from the book: “FinKa – How It Became What It Was. From Barracks to Hostel.” 2025)
At the FinKa book presentation, the author signs a copy. The hands are shown writing on the inside page of the book, which displays a keyhole symbol.
Historic blueprint of the former Finance Barracks in Mals, South Tyrol – now home to FinKa, a cultural hostel. The 1922 architectural plan, labeled ‘Thöni Josef,’ shows the layout and location of the building, which was later transformed into the FinKa Ho
At the FinKa book presentation, Sascha – host of the FinKa – is seated in the background holding a microphone. In the foreground, a stack of ‘FinKa’ books rests on a table.

THE BOOK: FINKA. HOW IT BECAME WHAT IT WAS.

An evening full of stories: the official book launch "FinKa – How it became what it was. From Barracks to Hostel." On February 1, 2025, the FinKa turned into a stage, a living room, and a memory space all at once. Many dear friends, longtime companions, and curious minds from near and far gathered for the occasion.
It was a celebration for all the senses: people listened, laughed, asked questions, remembered – and many discovered not just a book that evening, but a side of the FinKa they hadn’t known before.
Because this book is more than just a retrospective: it’s a logbook and photo journal of transformation – a collection of stories, events, and memories tracing the journey of an old military barracks becoming an open, welcoming hostel. Where once the finance guards set the rules, today the FinKa is a vibrant meeting point for travelers from around the world.
The entries in this book tell of bold decisions, a deep love for the old building, and the luck of opening a window at just the right moment. They speak of the art of riding the waves of change, and of a hospitality that is quite literally inscribed in these walls.
These pages are meant to inspire and invite readers to become part of this ongoing story – because the FinKa lives through the people who visit, enrich, and help shape it.

📅 Release date: February 1, 2025 ✍️ Author: Sascha Plangger – FinKa Host 📬 Order directly from us: info@finka.it Also available in all Athesia bookstores across South Tyrol.