Cortina d’Ampezzo, fondly referred to as the Queen of the Dolomites, is one of the most sought-after mountain towns in the region due to its scenic allure, atmosphere, hiking trails, and ski resort.
Most villages in the Dolomites are quiet, with limited nightlife and dining. Cortina, however, is a notable exception. Its town center is a happening place, animated by al fresco cafés, high-end shops, and restaurants.
While the historic center offers some excellent accommodations, it can be more affordable and convenient to stay outside of it, where parking is easier.
Accommodations in Cortina d’Ampezzo are expensive, largely due to their prime location rather than the quality of the hotels themselves. As a result, finding good-value accommodations can be challenging, unless you expand your search to include neighboring hamlets and villages.
Kati and I have stayed in Cortina’s town center (luxury: Hotel de Len), north of the town center (luxury: Camina Suite & Spa), in Pocol (budget: Hotel Piccolo Pocol), in San Vito di Cadore (budget-midrange: Fiori Dolomites Experience Hotel), and in neighboring Alta Pusteria.
- Minimum Stay Requirement: Some accommodations require a minimum stay of 3-5 nights.
- When to Visit for Skiing: December – March
- When to Visit for Hiking: June – October
- Cheapest Room Rates: June, Late September, and October
- Budget-friendly Accommodation: Jägerhaus Agriturismo (farm stay)
- Best 3-star hotels: Hotel Villa Alpina (town center), Ciasa Vervei (Pocol), and Baita Fraina (outside town center)
- Best 4-star hotels: Hotel de Len (town center) and Camina Suite & Spa (outside town center)
- Best 5-star hotels: Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo (town center), Faloria Mountain Spa Resort (Zuel di Sopra), and ski-in ski-out Hotel Tofana Cortina (Pocol)
Cortina d’Ampezzo Accommodation Map
Best Areas
Town Center
North Cortina
Pocol
South Cortina
San Vito di Cadore
Misurina
Where to Stay in Cortina for Hiking
Cortina d’Ampezzo enjoys a central location in Ampezzo Valley, surrounded by the Croda da Lago Chain, Cristallo Group, Sorapis Group, and Tofane Group. The Sexten Dolomites are also within reach.
With the flexibility of your own rental car, you can stay anywhere around Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Ultimately, I recommend choosing the best accommodation your budget allows, rather than fixating on the exact location.
The best budget and midrange accommodations around Cortina are 3-star Baita Fraina (South Cortina), 3-star Ciasa Vervei (Pocol), budget-friendly Ristorante Rifugio Ospitale (Rufreddo), and Jägerhaus Agriturismo (North Cortina).
If you’re having trouble finding affordable accommodation, consider expanding your search to San Vito di Cadore, a charming alpine village located 11 kilometers south of Cortina. We loved the Fiori Dolomites Experience Hotel. Other options: 3-star Hotel Antelao, 3-star Hotel “Il Cardo”, and 3-star Hotel Albergo Dolomiti.
Hikers who want to deeply explore the Sexten Dolomites and the Sorapis Group, may find a suitable place to stay in Misurina like the 4-star Chalet Alpenrose, or Quinz – Locanda Al Lago.
If you want to hike in the Northern Braies/Prags Dolomites and the Northern Sexten Dolomites, I recommend staying in Alta Pusteria instead.
Related: Hiking in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Where to Stay in Cortina for Skiing
For skiing, it’s convenient to stay in the town center, walking distance to the Faloria cable car: Hotel Meuble Oasi (2-star hotel), Hotel Villa Alpina (3-star hotel), Hotel Ambra Cortina Luxury & Fashion Hotel (4-star hotel), Hotel de Len (4-star hotel), or Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo (5-star hotel). Reaching the Tofana ski area requires either a bus ride, or private transfer.
I’ve come across many positive reviews of the bus service connecting Cortina to the Tofana lifts. However, some visitors have found the wait times and crowded buses frustrating, ultimately choosing private transfers instead.
If your budget allows, stay in a hotel with its own ski shuttle service like Hotel de Len (town center), Camina Suite & Spa (north of the town center), Hotel Lajadira & Spa (south of the town center), or Faloria Mountain Spa Resort (south of the town center).
Ski-in ski-out accommodations are quite limited around Cortina d’Ampezzo, with the main exception being the hotels in Pocol. The 5-star ski-in ski-out Hotel Tofana Cortina offers an in-house ski rental service, a shuttle service, a beautiful spa, and on-site restaurant.
The 3-star Ciasa Vervei is a cozy and intimate accommodation with eight rooms and an excellent restaurant in Pocol. It’s situated on the edge of the Tofana slopes and close to the Cortina Skyline, the cable car that connects the Tofana ski area to the 5 Torri – Lagazuoi ski area.
Related: Skiing in the Dolomites
Town Center
At the heart of town lies the pedestrian-only Corso Italia and Piazza Angelo Dibona, a lively area lined with bars, restaurants, cafés, designer boutiques, outdoor gear shops, and a variety of accommodations.
Compared to other towns in the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo exudes a more upscale atmosphere, drawing a wealthier crowd, primarily from Milan and Venice, who aren’t always there for outdoor adventures. To some, Cortina can come across as a bit too posh.
The main disadvantage of the town center is the congestion and limited parking. If you’re traveling by car, only book accommodation with private parking. If you’re traveling without a car, especially in winter, the town center is an ideal place to stay.
Budget-friendly accommodations are extremely scarce. During shoulder-season, 2-star Hotel Meuble Oasi is more affordable.
The best midrange and luxury accommodations are Hotel Villa Alpina (3-star hotel with parking), Hotel Ambra Cortina Luxury & Fashion Hotel (4-star hotel with parking), and Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo (5-star hotel with valet parking).
Hotel de Len is a impeccably-run hotel with beautiful and quiet rooms, an on-site restaurant, cocktail bar, and a small rooftop spa. Paid private parking is located in an outdoor lot a few minutes away from the hotel. In winter, guests can take advantage of the ski shuttle to both the Freccia Nel Cielo gondola (Tofana ski area) and Faloria gondola (Faloria ski area). The hotel also organizes private transfers to reach Lagazuoi Ski Area. Read our Hotel de Len review for a complete overview of pros and cons. We loved our stay, but didn’t love the spa policy.
Skiing | The town center is linked to the Faloria-Cristallo ski area by cable car. A ski bus service connects the town center with the Freccia nel Cielo cable car and Socrepes lifts in the Tofana ski area. The 5 Torri ski area can be accessed from the Tofana Freccia nel Cielo slopes.
Hiking | Thanks to its central position in the Ampezzo Valley, Cortina is surrounded by numerous hiking trails, all just a short drive away. It’s a 17-minute drive to Pont de Ru Curto, the Croda da Lago circuit trailhead, a 30-minute drive to Passo Giau, the Mondeval plateau trailhead, a 25-minute drive to Rifugio Dibona, the Tofana di Rozes trailhead, a 15-minute drive to Passo Tre Croci, the Lago di Sorapis trailhead, and a 43-minute drive to Rifugio Auronzo, the Tre Cime di Laverdo circuit and Cadini di Misurina viewpoint trailhead.
North Cortina
Just north of the town center, there is a string of accommodations located along Strada Statale 51 (SS51), the road that connects Cortina Cortina d’Ampezzo with Fiames, Lago di Landro (Dürrensee), Lago di Dobbiaco (Toblacher See), and Val Pusteria.
Some of these hotels are still within walking distance of the town center, including 3-star Hotel Bellaria, 3-star Hotel Menardi, and 4-star Camina Suite & Spa.
I’d argue that Camina Suite & Spa is one of the best boutique hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo. This charming hotel offers 12 spacious rooms, on-site parking, a complimentary spa, and a satiating à la carte breakfast. In winter, guests can take advantage of the complimentary ski shuttle service to both the Faloria cable car and the Freccia nel Cielo cable car (Tofana ski area), which operates in the morning and afternoon. Read our Camina Suite & Spa review.
Further up the road, Dolomiti Lodge Alverà boasts a romantic and private setting with peak-gazing rooms, an on-site restaurant, a gym, spa facilities and a pool. The main downside of this Cortina hotel is that its on-site restaurant is quite popular with external guests and can be overly crowded and noisy.
Off of the main road on Cadin di Sopra, you’ll find budget-friendly Jägerhaus Agriturismo, an active farm with clean rooms and an on-site restaurant. This quiet accommodation is only suitable for travelers with cars.
On the other side of the Boite River, there are more accommodations concentrated around the Strada Regionale 48 road like 3-star Hotel Villa Nevada and 3-star Hotel Columbia & Spa.
Skiing | North Cortina is close to the Freccia nel Cielo cable car valley station (Tofana ski area). Regular ski buses connect the area to Freccia nel Cielo and Socrepes. Some accommodations like Camina Suite & Spa offer private ski shuttles for their guests.
Hiking | All of the North Cortina accommodations mentioned above are centrally located in Ampezzo Valley, short drives to Passo Tre Croci (Lake Sorapis trailhead), Lake Misurina and Lake Antorno (Cadini di Misurina trailhead), Rifugio Auronzo Toll Road, S. Uberto/Ra Stua, Ponte de Ru Curto (Croda da Lago trailhead), Passo Giau (Mondeval trailhead), 5 Torri, and Passo Falzarego.
Pocol
Pocol is a hamlet situated at 1530 meters above sea level, southwest of Cortina d’Ampezzo (15-minute drive).
There are three main reasons to stay in Pocol: (1) affordable accommodation, (2) advantageous base for hiking in the Ampezzo Dolomites, and (3) ski-in ski-out accommodation.
With its excellent on-site restaurant, the 3-star Ciasa Vervei offers a cozy and comfortable stay in the mountains.The main draw of Hotel Piccolo Pocol is its budget-friendly room rates. For a more luxurious experience, take a look at this new ski-in ski-out 5-star hotel in Pocol.
Standing on the crossroads of the serpentine Strada Statale 48 (which leads to Passo Falzarego) and the Strada Provinciale 638 (which leads to the Ponte de Ru Curto trailhead and Passo Giau), Pocol is a short drive away from these outstanding trails: Croda da Lago circuit trail, Passo Giau – Mondeval Hike, Tofana di Rozes Circuit Trail, and Rifugio Nuvolau – Cinque Torri.
South Cortina
Travelers who want to stay near Cortina’s town center, but not necessarily in a busy tourist zone, may enjoy the quiet and countryside lodging options just 1-2 km south of town.
3-star Baita Fraina, a former farmhouse with 6 rooms, treats guests to its secluded location along Località Fraina road, excellent restaurant (open Monday-Saturday), and cozy rooms.
The 4-star Hotel Lajadira & Spa features an on-site restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, spa, free parking, and ski shuttle service to the Faloria ski slopes in winter.
5-star Faloria Mountain Spa Resort, located in the hamlet of Zuel di Sopra at the base of the Olympic Ski Jump, boasts a large wellness center with a heated indoor pool, a gym, wonderful on-site restaurant (half board available), and shuttle service to Cortina’s town center and ski slopes.
Between Hotel Lajadira & Spa and Faloria Mountain Spa Resort, you’ll also find the 5-star Rosapetra SPA Resort and 4-star Hotel Mirage Cortina.
Skiing | The closest cable car is Faloria. All of the accommodations highlighted above provide complimentary ski shuttle services.
Hiking | If you stay south of the town center, just add 5 more minutes of driving to reach all the trailheads mentioned above.
San Vito di Cadore
The town of San Vito di Cadore lies 11 km south of Cortina d’Ampezzo, between Monte Antelao and Mont Pelmo. Though far quieter than Cortina, its mountain views rival those of its northern neighbor.
If you’re struggling to find affordable accommodation, consider staying in San Vito di Cadore. Check out 3-star Hotel Antelao, 3-star Hotel “Il Cardo”, and 3-star Hotel Albergo Dolomiti.
Kati and I stayed in Fiori Dolomites Experience Hotel, a 3-star hotel with an in-house pastry shop. Highlights of our stay included the delicious homemade breakfast and complimentary afternoon cake.
Skiing | Though not directly connected, the small family-friendly ski area of San Vito di Cadore (10 km of slopes) is part of the Cortina d’Ampezzo ski resort. To reach the main areas of the resort (Faloria, Tofana, 5Torri), it’s best to drive.
Hiking | As San Vito di Cadore is a 20km drive away (16 minutes) from Cortina d’Ampezzo, you’ll have to factor in extra time to get to the Ampezzo Dolomites, Sorapis Group, and Sexten Group trailheads. However, there are many more trails located near San Vito di Cadore, including
Lake Misurina
Lake Misurina is located in the Cadore region of Belluno, east of Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Passo Tre Croci mountain pass. From the south shore, its waters mirror the south face of Tre Cime di Lavaredo. From the north shore, the lake mirrors the lofty peaks of the Sorapis Group.
Staying here is an option for those that want to deeply explore the hikes and via ferrata routes of the Sexten Dolomites, Sorapis Group, Monte Piana, and Monte Cristallo.
From Misurina, you can take the Col de Varda chairlift to access the Cadini Group, hike up to Lake Antorno and the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint, hike the Sentiero Bonacossa north circuit, drive up to Rifugio Auronzo to hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit trail, and much more.
The best hotel at Lake Misurina is the 4-star Chalet Alpenrose. Lakeside Quinz – Locanda Al Lago, the B&B at Passo Tre Croci, and the accommodation at Lake Antorno are other options.
Val Pusteria / Alta Pusteria
Val Pusteria is the long valley that borders the Dolomites to the North. The Upper Puster Valley (Alta Pusteria / Hochpustertal), encompasses the villages of Villabassa/Niederdorf, Dobbiaco/Toblach, San Candido/Innichen, Braies/Prags, and Sesto/Sexten.
It’s the gateway to the Northern Braies/Prags Dolomites and the Northern Sesto/Sexten Dolomites. It’s also home to the Three Peaks ski resort (3 Zinnen), which like Cortina d’Ampezzo is part of Dolomiti Superski network.
Depending on your priorities, Alta Pusteria may be a more suitable base for you if you want to visit Lago di Braies, Prato Piazza Plateau, Val Fiscalina, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo (from Val Fiscalina or from Val Campo di Dentro).
Though busy as well, especially during peak summer season, I’d say your money goes further here. A 5-star hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo is the equivalent of a 4-star hotel in Alta Pusteria.
As we’re based in Vienna, we always drive to the Dolomites through Val Pusteria. We’ve stayed in 4-star Hotel Dolomitenhof in Val Fiscalina, 4-star Bad Moos Dolomites Spa Resort, 4-star Naturhotel Leitlhof (read our Naturhotel Leitlhof review) in San Candido, 3-star Gailerhof B&B in Monguelfo, and 3-star Hotel Gasthof Weiherbad in Villabassa.
Read our Alta Pusteria Travel Guide for a complete overview of the region, including accommodation recommendations.
More Dolomites Travel Guides
Where to Stay:
- Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer
- Best Hotels in the Dolomites
- Best Val Gardena Hotels
- Best Alta Badia Hotels
Road Trip Itineraries:
Dolomites in Winter / Skiing:
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