Cortina d’Ampezzo is known as the Sophia Loren of ski resorts: gorgeous and glamorous. It is framed by the Dolomites, and while the runs are spectacular, and offer a great variety of skiing, Cortina is best known for its après ski, and the jet setters who come here. Of course the best places to stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo reflect this, and we have some seriously glamorous recommendations, including one of the best examples of chalet-chic we’ve come across, a contemporary chalet, two grand dames, a chalet resort in the mountains, a couple of spa resorts, and a great value hotel with incredible views from its private terraces.

Cortina is part of the Dolomiti Superski Area, which includes the Fazarego Pass and other previous Olympic sites and runs, so there’s plenty of variety if you want to mix up your après ski with some actual skiing. It’s got a great snow park, and ski racing facilities too. Cortina is also a great destination for a family ski holiday with it’s vast nursery area, with gently undulating curves and slopes, ideal for ski schools, and its long, cruising runs. 

Outside of the ski season many of Cortina’s hotels, boutiques and restaurants remain open, and there’s a lively summer season too, popular with hikers, golfers, bikers and climbers. The town's beautiful architecture, dominated by the white and green bell tower and grand, 19th century mansions, looks even more striking against lush green meadows, so we heartily recommend the best places to stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo to walkers and mountain bikers looking for an alpine adventure. The Dolomites also make an extremely memorable backdrop for a game of golf!

The Best Places to Stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo

For a Special Occasion

• The Hotel Ambra offers some of the best examples of chalet chic we know of, with 24 sophisticated, yet chalet-style rooms, decorated with antiques, original art and fantastic examples of turned wood, panelling, and wooden furniture and flooring. It’s a great pick if you’re looking for something special and romantic, or if you just fancy a higher end chalet stay. The location is good too, close to the slopes, and near the centre of town, and the hotel bar has a buzzing après ski atmosphere. There’s no restaurant but they offer breakfast, and there are plenty nearby.

For a Ski Break

• The Rosapetra Spa Resort is also riffing on the chalet theme, though this time it’s contemporary chalet style decor, with plenty of blonde wood, but in elegantly minimal panels, straight lines, beamed ceilings and plenty of glass too. The spa is in the name, so it’s a big part of the offering, with state-of-the-art treatments, and an impressive menu. There’s also a pool, and a gym. This is an ideal pick for a romantic skiing holiday, with a bit of pampering thrown in for after the slopes, but the Rospetra Spa Resort also has great family-sized suites, and access to ski schools. It also works well for golfers come the summer months.

For Luxury

• The Cristallo Hotel Spa & Golf is Cortina d’Ampezzo’s original luxury hotel, a beautiful grande dame with splendid views, splendid grounds, and splendidly decorated rooms and suites — 73 of them in all. The spa and golf course are mentioned in the name, which is always a promising sign if that’s part of your holiday plan. We like the spa, and indoor pool, for their traditional elegance, and there’s a free shuttle to the Cortina Golf Club, and into town — which is only five minutes away. If you really want to treat yourself book into the Royal or Presidential Suites, where you will have access to your own butler.

For Families

• The Grand Hotel Savoia is Cortina d’Ampezzo’s other grande dame, recently refurbished, so that its trappings are now contemporary, as well as luxurious, including in the spa and restaurant. The Grand’s location is excellent, just 100 metres from the pedestrianised shopping area, surrounded by great places to eat and drink, and just five minutes from the Faloria cable car. The hotel’s 130 rooms and suites have a whiff of chalet heritage in their blonde wood, and pale furnishings, but they’re more Scandi chic than alpine chalet. For families there's a kids club and programme of activities for those aged 3-12.

For Outdoor Adventures

• The Faloria Mountain Spa Resort is just to the south of Cortina d’Ampezzo, in Zuel, which boasts spectacular views of the Dolomites. Consisting of a main chalet building and smaller chalets and cabins, there’s a great range of accommodation options, including Premier Suites, which sleep four, and are a good option for families. There’s also a spa and indoor pool, plus a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine — which works surprisingly well against the snowy backdrop of the ski season, but is even better come the summer months when the Faloria is popular with walkers, climbers and mountain bikers.

For Great Value

• The Hotel Ancora is wonderfully affordable for its level of luxury, and charming decor. It’s somewhat dated, but the traditional style and classical decor choices just lend charm. Bonuses include private terraces and balconies, with their views over Cortina to the Dolomites, and the stylish, award-winning, restaurant with its vaulted ceilings. The hotel also hosts regular art exhibitions.

For a self catering apartment

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Venice’s Marco Polo Airport is the closest international airport to central Cortina d’Ampezzo, about an hour and three quarters away by car, or around two hours by public transport. Even though it’s in neighbouring Austria, Innsbruck Airport is the second closest, around two hours away by car, or four hours by public transport. Verona Villafranca Airport is third, around three hours by car or about five by train and bus. There are many overland alternative too.
• If you plan to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• If you’re visiting Cortina d’Ampezzo to ski, the season usually runs between late November and early May. Snowmaking facilities cover around 90% of the slopes, so they can do quite a bit to make good on their guarantee of a long season. January and February tend to get the best natural snow. Each year Cortina hosts a series of international snow sport events including the Tour di Ski, Alpine Ski World Cup, the ice hockey and curling championships, and the Cortina Winter Polo, and these create busy periods too. Christmas is a very beautiful, and popular time to visit, a time for added sophistication, revelry, and cosy decorating touches to bring cheer to the evenings. The period between Christmas and Epiphany is probably the busiest time, and most fashionable time of all. The rest of January and February are popular with more serious winter sports fans, and there are a number annual sporting events held. If you’re visiting Cortina to hike or mountain bike we recommend June — it’s still quiet, and especially beautiful. Come July the summer season in Cortina kicks in, and during July and August the town hosts music festivals and sporting events, and welcomes an influx of visitors for them. September quietens down somewhat, but hosts a food festival towards the end.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay in the Veneto region
• Or consider other nearby ski resorts including Corvara, or San Cassiano
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.