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Cortina Dampezzo

Where to Stay

1. Ancora Cortina

Sky-blue shutters frame the Corso Italia façade of this 1826 landmark, now revived with interiors by Vicky Charles that layer dark woods, stone fireplaces, and vintage alpine photography across 35 singular rooms. The top-floor suite commands a Dolomite panorama from its broad terrace, while below, a 200-square-metre spa offers cryotherapy and hammam, and the phone-free Brave Club mixes cocktails to a curated soundtrack after dark.

2. De LEN

Reclaimed timber etched with ancestral family marks shapes this 24-room retreat on Cortina's main corso. Swiss-engineered under-bed panels filter electromagnetic waves for deeper sleep, while the rooftop spa—bio-sauna, ice cascade, heated outdoor tub—frames the Tofane peaks through floor-to-ceiling glass. Starred chef Andrea Ribaldone's four-course ritual channels Dolomite terroir. A refined base for skiers ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

3. Grand Hotel Savoia & Spa

A Belle Époque landmark dating to 1912, the Grand Hotel Savoia underwent a transformation by Schema 4 Architects that reinterprets Alpine tradition through contemporary Italian design. Its 132 rooms look out onto Dolomite peaks and the Olympia delle Tofane slopes, while a 700-square-meter spa with indoor pool and hammam offers respite after days on the mountain. The Savoy restaurant delivers refined Italian cuisine, and the animated lounge bar sets the tone for Cortina's après-ski scene.

4. Rosapetra SPA Resort

Small Luxury Hotels

Modern Alpine aesthetics define this 34-room retreat minutes from Cortina d'Ampezzo, where wood-paneled walls and rich fabrics frame sweeping Dolomite panoramas from private terraces. The spa centers on a 12-meter indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling mountain views, complemented by an outdoor sauna, Valmont treatments, and thalassotherapy. Shuttle access to the Faloria gondola makes this a practical base for families and skiers seeking wellness after the slopes.

5. Casa Guargnè

Eleven rooms of fir, stone, and textured fabrics fill this intimate Ampezzo Basin retreat, where made-to-measure joinery and a restrained palette of wood and camel tones against whites, greys, and clear blue accents let the landscape take center stage. Tall windows frame the valley's shifting moods—summer meadows giving way to pink-grey winter light—while activities remain scaled to the terrain. A refuge shaped by those who know this place.

6. Faloria Mountain Spa Resort

Architect Flaviano Capriotti's comprehensive redesign transformed this historic Cortina address into a study in Alpine modernism, where local wood and stone meet floor-to-ceiling windows that pull the Dolomites directly into sleek, muted interiors. The spa circuit includes hammam, jacuzzi, and sauna, while dual pools—indoor and outdoor—extend the wellness offering. A kids' club and babysitting services make it equally suited to traveling families.

7. Nature Blu Hotel & Spa - Blu Hotels

Light-filled interiors and spare modern furnishings give this Folgaria property a contemporary edge on the traditional Alpine lodge. The wellness center delivers infrared and Finnish saunas alongside a Turkish bath and jacuzzi, while twin pools—one indoors, one outdoors—extend the restorative theme. Winter guests reach ski lifts via quick shuttle; summer brings direct access to Dolomite hiking trails. Generous regional meals complete the mountain retreat.

Where to Eat

1. SanBrite

★ Michelin· Green Star ●

A panoramic window frames the Ampezzo Dolomites at this intimate, one-starred table where chef Riccardo Gaspari's meal begins theatrically—servers processing through the room bearing mounds of house-churned butter alongside bread of remarkable texture. The tasting menu channels alpine traditions through a contemporary lens, with regional and farm-raised ingredients taking center stage. Desserts arrive naturally sweet, crafted entirely without added sugar.

2. Tivoli

★ Michelin

At the foot of the Tofane mountains, chef-owner Graziano Prest runs this one-Michelin-starred Alpine house with quiet authority. His kitchen bridges regional tradition and creative ambition, sourcing fish daily from Venice and Chioggia to complement mountain ingredients. The wine cellar rewards exploration—historic vintages and prestigious French labels abound. Request a window table or the panoramic terrace for sweeping views across Cortina's iconic peaks.

3. Alajmo Cortina

Michelin Selected

The storied El Toulà premises have found new life under the Alajmo family, its wood-paneled dining rooms now home to a youthful brigade executing refined regional cooking. The kitchen draws deeply from Veneto and Alto Adige traditions, presenting both tasting menus and à la carte options that balance mountain rustiness with contemporary imagination. A ground-floor bar offers aperitivi before the climb upstairs.

4. Baita Fraina

Michelin Selected

A stone-and-timber mountain hut perched in the Fraina locality, this address draws guests away from Cortina's social whirl into contemplative Alpine silence. Inside, intimate rooms channel the warmth of a German Stube, their colorful furnishings glowing against aged wood. The kitchen delivers straightforward regional cooking—game, polenta, local cheeses—best enjoyed on the summer terrace as meadow scents drift upward.

5. El Brite de Larieto

Michelin Selected· Green Star ●

A larch wood clearing beneath the Dolomites sets the stage for this Alpine table, where two decades of careful stewardship have earned both a Michelin star and a green star for sustainability. The kitchen draws directly from its own stable annexe—house-made charcuterie, creamy butter, mountain cheeses—while herbs and berries foraged nearby punctuate dishes rooted in tradition yet light on the palate.

6. Al Camin

Michelin Selected

On the scenic route to Misurina lake, Al Camin brings modern Alpine cooking to a warm, contemporary dining room. Chef-sommelier Fabio Pompanin applies inventive technique to Dolomite traditions—his beef tenderloin wrapped in speck with cep mushrooms and Ampezzo-style potatoes demonstrates the kitchen's confident regional identity. A carefully assembled list of some 200 wines complements the menu; summer guests dine al fresco.

7. Da Giovanni

Michelin Selected

An 18th-century ceramic stove anchors the dining room of this family-run institution, where half a century of tradition has forged a reputation for seafood excellence across Piacenza and the Po valley. The kitchen balances meat and fish with particular finesse in its marine preparations, while an extensive wine list—generous with by-the-glass options—complements the bright, period-meets-vintage décor and warmly professional service.

8. Ristorante de LEN

Michelin Selected

Larch-clad walls and subdued lighting craft an intimate Alpine atmosphere at this Michelin Plate restaurant steps from Corso Italia. The kitchen channels Dolomite traditions through a contemporary lens, with particular mastery in vegetable and cheese preparations—the fonduta di Saporito d'alpeggio exemplifies this refined regional approach. Soft background music accompanies dishes that honor mountain terroir while embracing modern technique.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best area to stay in Cortina d'Ampezzo?

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The centro storico along Corso Italia offers walkable access to restaurants, shops, and the main Faloria and Tofana cable cars. For quieter settings, the Pocol area above town provides expansive Dolomite views, while Zuel di Sopra suits families seeking proximity to gentler slopes.

When is the ideal time to visit Cortina d'Ampezzo?

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Ski season runs December through March, with February offering reliable snow and clear skies. July and August attract hikers to the Alta Via trails. Late September brings golden larch forests and fewer crowds — a favourite period among photographers and those seeking mountain solitude.

What local dishes should visitors try in Cortina d'Ampezzo?

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Casunziei ampezzani — half-moon pasta filled with beetroot and dressed in brown butter and poppy seeds — remains the signature dish. Canederli (bread dumplings), venison with polenta, and strudel made with local apples round out the Ladin-influenced menu found across traditional restaurants.