If you’ve ever looked at photos of the Dolomites and wondered if they really look like that in person — they do.
I visited in March and stayed at FORESTIS, a luxury wellness hotel tucked high in the mountains. And the scale of the peaks is something you really don’t get from photos. One thing to know before you start planning: the Dolomites are a huge region. Just because two hotels say they are 30 miles apart – doesn’t mean to can get from point A to point B in 30 minutes. Where you stay depends very much on what you want to do.
Wellness? Hiking? Skiing? Food? A little of everything?
Here are five ways I’d do it.
1. THE WELLNESS TRIP
Some of the best spa hotels in Europe are in the Dolomites. But wellness here feels less about following a program and more about slowing down naturally.
I stayed at FORESTIS, set at 1,800 meters on the Plose mountain in a wonderfully remote location in Bressanone. And I mean remote. Forest, mountains, fresh air and not much else — which is exactly the point. The hikes, views and spa is worth the trip.
Stay: FORESTIS, Aman Rosa Alpina, COMO Alpina Dolomites
Good to know: Two nights is not enough. I would give FORESTIS at least three.
2. THE HIKING TRIP
Summer is when the Dolomites really show off. You can plan anything from beautiful day hikes with a very good lunch in the middle to a true hut-to-hut trip along the Alta Via trails. And that’s part of what I love about hiking here: you don’t necessarily have to choose between adventure and a great hotel. Base yourself somewhere beautiful, hike during the day and come back to a proper bed, spa + dinner at night.
Stay: Aman Rosa Alpina, Hotel La Perla
Where I’d base: Alta Badia
3. THE FOODIE TRIP
Was shocked to find the first language on the menu at FORESTIS wasn’t Italian but German. The food in the Dolomites blends Italian, Austrian + Ladin influences, and some of the meals you’ll remember most may be halfway up a mountain. They do mid-mountain dining right. No sloppy joes, but beautifully presented Alpine-Mediterranean fusion, gourmet pizzas, and I found an exceptional wine list at La Finestra on Plose Mountain.
Stay: Hotel Tyrol, La Perla + Castel Badia, a former monastery.
Good to know: Don’t make every meal fine dining. Some of the best food here is found in mountain huts and small family-run hotels.
4. THE SKI TRIP
The Dolomites can look overwhelming on a ski map. They’re really not.
My advice: pick a great home base and explore from there. The Dolomiti Superski system connects a huge network of ski areas, and the famous Sellaronda links Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba + Val di Fassa in one 44-kilometer circuit. Allow roughly six hours and stop for lunch — you’re in Italy, after all.
Alta Badia — great for families + food
Val Gardena — best all-around mix
Cortina — skiing + shopping + après
Stay: Gardena Grödnerhof, Hotel La Perla, Rosapetra, Aman Rosa Alpina
I have clients staying at Gardena Grödnerhof this festive season, and I particularly like its location right in Ortisei. You’re a few steps from town and about 200 meters from the lifts, with easy access toward Seceda and the Sellaronda.
Good to know: Look into the toboggan runs. Dedicated mountain routes + lifts for sledding looked super fun when I was there.
5. COMBINE IT WITH…
You don’t necessarily need to make the Dolomites your entire Italy trip. I love combining mountains with somewhere completely different.
Venice + the Dolomites gives you city + mountains.
Lake Garda + the Dolomites gives you lake + mountains.
Or do all three if you have enough time.
Venice: Hotel Danieli, Cipriani, Venice Venice, Londra Palace
Lake Garda: Lefay Resort, Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli, Hotel Fasano
WHO I’D SEND
Families who like being active but still want a great hotel. Couples who want somewhere beautiful without spending every day sightseeing. Skiers. Hikers. Foodies.
The Dolomites are best when you don’t rush them.
MY TAKE
I love that The Dolomites is an incredible destination in the summer and winter – that’s what makes this part of Italy so interesting — it’s a completely different trip depending on when you go and where you stay.
