13 Best Hotels in The Dolomites, Italy

For a taste of old-school Italian glamour just outside of Merano, you can’t do better than this elegant Relais & Chateaux property high up in the mountains, set amid 4 acres of gardens and featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant and spa that both use products sourced from the land. Enormous individually decorated suites boast country-chic decor, sitting rooms, and terraces or balconies; some of the spacious bathrooms include claw-foot tubs and infrared saunas. Guests can choose from the more gourmet Prezioso restaurant for dinner or the lighter-style Orangerie, which offers a large panoramic terrace, for lunch or dinner. Amid the lovely gardens, you’ll find a heated pool, whirlpool, and freestanding fitness center, while the cozy spa includes three saunas and a steam room—as well as treatments from the hotel’s very own “modern alchemist,” who creates bespoke creams and lotions using plants and herbs from the very same gardens.

This luxury grande dame, now run by Marriott, is lauded for its service, spa, and more—the architecture was immortalized in 1963's The Pink Panther. Guest rooms are furnished in handwoven fabrics and wood paneling typical of the region, but with an attention to elegance and detail that clearly define the resort's level of excellence. The prestigious bar and spa have both set the precedent for other properties in their class around Europe.

Right in front of the Plan de Corones chairlift, this is a great base for a skiing or hiking vacation, with bus service to the ski slopes and a spa and pools on-site to unwind after a big day out. The hotel can help to arrange discounted ski passes with advance notice. In the warmer months, staff can help you find the best hiking in the area; the hotel even has its own guides. The decor is typical of the region, with warm wood and fabrics, and plenty of amenities. Some rates include breakfast and dinner, which are rotated regularly for variety, and discounts are offered for stays longer than four nights.

This family-friendly ultramodern hotel near the Plan de Corones chairlift, made up of four sleek connected houses designed by Italian architect Matteo Thun, offers spacious rooms and an expansive spa. Guest rooms have a contemporary mountain feel, with wood walls and floors; each includes a balcony or terrace. Some of the suites include private saunas or infrared cabins. The inviting spa extends over three floors and includes saunas, a hammam, heated outdoor and rooftop pools, and a 24-hour gym. If you can tear yourself away, the hotel’s “experience concierge” is happy to recommend off-the-beaten-path activities nearby.

It’s all about the views at this minimalistic yet quietly luxurious retreat (for guests age 14 and over) high up in the mountains at 1,800 meters (5,900 feet), reached by winding roads through the pretty forest—rooms in the main building exude cozy mountain chalet vibes, while those in the Tower have a more polished feel along with astounding alpine views in the suites and penthouses, two of which boast their own fireplace, sauna, and outdoor pool. The restaurant, with floor-to-ceiling views of the majestic Dolomite peaks, serves up an innovative nightly changing seven-course dinner menu using local ingredients. The lovely spa includes saunas, steam rooms, an indoor/outdoor pool, and relaxation areas, and daily scheduled activities include yoga, sauna treatments, and DJ nights. An added perk: ski-in, ski-out access to the Plose ski and hiking area, small but less crowded than other Dolomites standbys.

Just yards from both the downhill slopes and the ski-fondo (cross-country skiing) paths, this charming, Tyrolean-style hotel has an on-site restaurant as well as spacious guest rooms, complete with orthopedic mattresses, soaking tubs, regional wood-and-fabric decor, and tremendous views. This is a great base, even when there isn't snow, since the staff have local connections for golf, hiking, and hang gliding.

At this mountain-chic inn in the center of Cortina, from the same owners as Puglia’s famed Borgo Egnazia resort, sustainable materials and chill vibes add up to the most modern boutique hotel in town. Comfortable guest rooms made almost solely of pine include pops of bright colors on the chairs, tables, and headboards. When you don’t feel like partaking in Cortina’s nightlife scene, De Len Restaurant and Bar De Len make for great dining and drinking options. The rooftop spa has saunas, a heated pool, and a whirlpool, all with panoramic views of the mountains; guests can book it for an hour of private use, included in their stay.

At this cozy inn—over 500 years old and still one of the region's best—each room is unique, and many are filled with antiques and paintings. The name comes from the 1551 visit of King John III of Portugal, who stopped here while leading an elephant (a present for Austria's Emperor Ferdinand) over the Alps. Housed in the large park are a pool, tennis courts, and the separate Villa Marzari, with 12 rooms and a sauna. Two in-house gourmet restaurants (one with a Michelin star) serve tasty fare.

Each room has its own contemporary design, some have saunas with hot tubs and stunning views, and all enjoy a prime location near Piazza del Duomo. The friendly owner gives good suggestions about what to see, do, and eat in the area.

For reasonably priced accommodations, it's hard to beat this garni (bed-and-breakfast) right on Piazza Duomo, where some of the simple rooms have wonderful views. Family-run since 1912, this tidy place offers some handy amenities that include paid parking, a 10-minute walk away.

This homey hotel housed in a former post office dating from the 1880s is the most central, appealing lodging choice in town. The efficient service is the hotel's trademark. Cozy rooms have soothing light gray walls, wood accents, and sitting areas. There is also a spa, with two saunas, a steam bath, and a whirlpool, and the hotel has its own parking, an unusual perk in the pedestrians-only center. The in-house Cosmo restaurant serves up global fare for lunch and dinner.

The Zani family runs this modern, centrally located hotel, which has welcoming public spaces, warm-color guest rooms, and one of the city's most appealing restaurants. Select from classic rooms or those with a more contemporary style, all with comfortable beds and updated bathrooms. The Ristorante Novecento serves wonderful dishes paired with local wines; they also make gluten-free dishes upon request.

This romantic 13th-century castle with crenellations and a massive tower is perched in a park amid vine-covered hills, viewed from some of the cozy guest rooms through Romanesque arched windows. Much of the ancient character is preserved, and common areas are filled with antiques, paintings, attractive plants, and elaborate wood carving. Guest rooms have solid, rustic pine beds with pillow-top mattresses; those in the tower are especially atmospheric. It's well worth the 12-km (7½-mile) drive west from Bolzano to get here.