Bormio’s appeals are numerous. Firstly, it looks lovely! A beautiful, medieval town surrounded by the breathtaking alpine landscape of the Stelio National Park. Secondly, underneath the beautiful alpine valley are thermal springs, which have been enjoyed as spa baths since the Romans discovered them along their trade route between Venice and Switzerland. And thirdly, Bormio is a fantastic ski resort, with a huge skiable area, and one of the longest ski runs in Italy. Our pick of the best places to stay in Bormio include grand hotels, traditional chalets, contemporary chalets, converted villas, and family-friendly ski hotels, and all have incredible views!

If you’re heading above the town for Bormio’s ski runs, of which there are about 50kms worth (including the longest at six kilometres alone), then you can expect excellent access via the network of lifts. So if you’re here to ski the best places to stay in Bormio will be close to one of these. The slopes are north-facing, and you can expect relatively good coverage for a lot of the season — which usually runs between the end of November and mid-April. Bormio's slopes are ideal for families and beginners, as well as more experienced skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers.

Bormio isn’t your typical ski resort, though. Its medieval heart is really charming, and there are some excellent restaurants and boutiques here, supported by spa visitors who come year round, as well as the skiers and the summer hikers and bikers. For spa enthusiasts there are numerous thermal pools and facilities offering access to them, plus a really impressive range of treatments on offer — including some which date from the Roman period. Apparently Pliny the Elder ‘discovered’ these thermal springs. The Romans created some beautiful baths, decorated with frescoes and stone carvings, and there are plenty that remain today, in some form or another, either restored as baths, or in the excellent civic museum.

With all this going on, it's a popular destination throughout the seasons. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Bormio, whether during the summer or winter, do your research and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Bormio

For a Luxurious Setting

• The Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi is a wonderfully grand hotel, with Art Nouveau charm and a pinky facade. This is one of your old fashioned grand hotels, complete with an opulent ballroom, and glorious surrounds. There are 74 rooms and suites, all of them spacious and elegant, with high ceilings, relatively unfussy furnishings (compared with the public areas), and wonderful views of the surrounding valley. There’s a pool and spa, a gym, a library and bar, and you’re within a short stroll of both the golf club, and the ski lifts.

For a Spa Break

• The Hotel Bagni Vecchi is in a stunning spot, built into the elbow of a steep hillside overlooking the surrounding valley. In addition to phenomenal alpine views, the Hotel Bagni Vecchi has the atmosphere of a fine alpine hotel, still rustic, but less obviously cosy than a chalet. The outdoor pool has panoramic views, the restaurant is excellent, and the spa superb offering a comprehensive array of massages and treatments plus a Thermal Path, including outdoor pool, outdoor hot tub, Roman baths and an authentic natural sauna in its grotto.

For Families

• The Eden Hotel is a beautifully designed, contemporary hotel, with a modern-chalet feel that comes from the wood clad walls, alpine imagery, and sheepskin throws. Modern-style big windows allow in lots of light, and incredible alpine views, which undoubtedly add to the chalet chic feel. There are only 27 rooms and suites, some perfectly sized for families (the family suites can comfortably accommodate 4-5 people), some simple doubles, and plenty in between. The restaurant is excellent too.
• La Genzianella is a family friendly choice, just outside the centre of town, and moments from the Bormio cable car. Welcoming, cosy and, above all comfortable, this is the sort of hotel you can really relax in, as a family — they’ve thought of extras like toys for the family rooms, and layouts that allow for plenty of privacy and living space. The hotel has bikes to borrow, hiking routes to recommend, and a garden.

For Skiiers

• Sottovento is a great value, 20 room, chalet-style hotel in the centre of Bormio. The exterior is charming, with plenty of toffee-coloured wood and balconies that promise excellent views. Inside the rooms and suites are spacious, and more contemporary than the exterior, with plenty of wood cladding, stylish lighting, large bathrooms, and lovely use of natural colours and materials. The spa is great, and you’re only ten minutes walk from the cable car.
• The Hotel Alu Mountain Design is another traditional alpine charmer that’s had a make-over to reveal a more contemporary interior — think minimalist rustic with wood-cladding, tartan, fun, but unfussy shapes and quirky pop art. There’s an excellent restaurant and spa, and you're only two minutes walk from the ski lifts.

For an Alpine Escape

• Il Rustico Dei Bedini is a wonderfully converted villa on the peaceful slopes between Bormio town and the ski area. Angular, and made in traditional stonework style, Il Rustico’s original features are some of its best assets — the vaulted stone ceilings, exposed stone walls, original beams and wood cladding. But its newer additions: the sauna and steam rooms, and the simple but stylish bathrooms, make it a very comfortable choice too. There’s no restaurant, but you’re within a short stroll of many.

For Great Value

• Smart, comfortable, and well located for central Bormio and the cable car, the Hotel Baita Dei Pini is a great value choice winter or summer. The decor is chalet-stye, with wood-clad walls, a cosy colour scheme and unfussy traditional features. We love the balconies with valley views, thermal spa, and the impressive wine list in the restaurant. Typical Bormio.
• The Alpi & Golf Hotel is a great value, 15 room hotel just outside the centre of Bormio. The Alpi & Golf has all the same features as the our other recommendations in Bormio — chalet style, balconies with fantastic valley views, and a great range of rooms sizes. It’s also got cosy communal spaces, including a dining room and a lounge and bar.

For a self catering apartment or chalet

• If you're travelling as a family or a group of friends it may be a better option to book a villa or apartment. For a wide range of properties for all tastes and budgets we recommend you visit our online partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Bormio’s nearest international airports are Milan’s airports: Bergamo Airport, Linate, and Malpensa Airport. Milan Malpensa is around two and a half hours by road, and about six and a half hours by train; Milan Linate is around three hours drive, or around six hours by bus and train; and Milan Bergamo is also about three hours drive, or six and a half hours by bus and train. Bormio is fairly close to several major European train stations and lines too.
• If you plan to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• If you’re visiting Bormio for the famous spas, then you can really have your pick of great scenery, whether you prefer snow or buttercups on the surrounding slopes. If you’re coming for the skiing, the safest months to plan for are January and February, but the ski season often lasts between December and April. If you enjoy hiking, biking or climbing there’s plenty to do in and around Bormio during the summer months too.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay in the Lombardy region
• Or just expand a little, and include our recommendations for the best places to stay in Livigno
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.