Lodging

Cortina is a mature resort. The quality of room size and furnishings can be uneven: when checking in, check the room before accepting it. If you have a reservation, ask to see several rooms to choose from.

The hotels listed below are centrally located, offer good value, and have been visited by a Ski Europe representa-tive. Based on half-board during high season per person based on double occupancy: €€€—€125+; €€—€75–€124; €—€74-.

Hotel Miramonti (0436-4201; fax 0436-867019; €€€) The most luxurious and elegant hotel in Cortina is a bit out of the center of the town. This hotel is a massive Old-World hotel left over from the days of understated elegance (not that understated). They have a beautiful pool, full fitness room and more lobbies than we could count. One can get lost in this place. The main drawback to the Miramonti is its distance from town. One of the joys of Cortina is having time to enjoy the beautiful town and its stores, restaurants and bars. Some tour groups offer rooms here for excellent rates, but for my money we'd stay in town.

Hotel Ancora (0436-3261; fax 0436-3265; €€€–€€) Our favorite hotel in Cortina is di-rectly on the central square. This place now provides a cozy haven for those who demand pampered luxu-ry. Normal clients are served half-pension meals in a beautiful arched dining room, but for those looking for true gourmet meals, the intimate Petit Fleur restaurant in the basement is hard to beat. Every motif of this beautiful hotel reflects its Alpine heritage from the intricate massive wooden ceiling that hangs overhead in the entranceway and the radiating ceramic stove to the pale blue paintings on the rooms’ ceilings and the arched canopy of the Café Vienesse. This hotel is also one of the mainstays of the art scene in the region. You will probably have the opportunity to see an exhibition by one of Italy’s top artists. According to top art organizers, Hotel Ancora supports the arts more than any other spot in Cortina. Staying at the Ancora is an experience you will savor long after your vacation. Make sure to meet the proprietress, Signora Flavia, who speaks good English and will make sure your stay is memorable.

Hotel Montana (0436-862126; fax 0436-868211; €) B&B only but smack in the center of town; only 30 rooms, Michelin-rated, affordable with top notch service.

Hotel Oasi (0436-862019; fax 0436-879476: €) is a B&B with 10 rooms at the edge of the old town, but near the lifts and Dolomite RR. It has impeccable service and modern rooms in a beautifully restored old house.

Hotel Cortina (4221; fax 860760; €€–€€€; photo above) The lobby is big and plain, a step above a big cafeteria, but the location, smack in the middle of town, is hard to beat. Reports from tourists staying there indicated rooms were nothing special and ranged from sizeable to closets. The food reports for the half-pension meals are mediocre.

Parc Hotel Vitoria (3246; fax 4734; €€€–€€; photo below), at the southern end of the walking street (Corso Italia), is a bit long in the tooth and could use some tender loving care, but the public areas, especially the wooden barrel-vaulted lobby filled with antiques is a joy. On the night we checked out this spot the music was playing and the clients were dancing up a storm. It can’t be all bad.

Europa (3221; fax 868204; €€€–€€) Good basic hotel in the center of town.

Hotel de la Poste (4271; fax 868435; €€€) In the middle of town with great food; Michelin rated

San Marco (866941; fax 866940; €€) An absolutely beautiful hotel that was recently restored with fan-tastic woodwork. Don’t let the inexpensive price fool you.

Hotel Aquila (2618; fax 867315; €€) Still family-run, is great value for money.

Hotel Italia (5646; fax: 5757; €) This two-star serves hugh portions of well-prepared food and it is right across the street from the Faloria cable car.

Hotel Impero (4246; fax 4248; €) B & B only; some rooms have kitchenettes.

Apartments, condominiums, flats
There are beds for 18,000 visitors and a special rental apartment list. Prices for rooms are €13 to €20 per person in low season, €20 to €28 per person in high season. For more information, contact the tourist office.