Lodging

Madonna’s hotels are for the most part modern. There probably is not a bad hotel in the bunch. Even the least aesthetic provide good-sized rooms and good food. This resort does not have the overflowing complement of restaurants that seem to be found in many resorts. Hence, taking half pension is a good idea and will save money.

Hotels listed here were visited by a Ski Snowboard Europe representative. Prices are high season, half-board, per person double occupancy: €€€=€125+; €€=€75-€124; €=less than €74.

Only the first three hotels have swimming pools.

Relais Club Des Alpes (0465-446238; fax 0465-440104; €€€; photo left) is traditionally, the best hotel; built around the former hunting lodge of the Austrian emperors. But the size is large and the staff is limited, so those demanding perfect service may be less than satisfied. The 5 Laghi and Pradalago lifts are only a couple of minutes walk away.

Spinale Club Hotel (0465-441116; fax 0465-442189; €€€; photo below right) tops Des Alpes in terms of tip-top service. It is smaller and more intimate than its competition. A ski lift takes skiers to the top of the Spinale area just out the back door.

Hotel C. Magno Zeledria (0465-441010; fax 0465-440550; €€) is out of the center of town, but provides luxury. It's only a short walk from the lift system.

Hotel Golf (0465-441003; fax 0465-440294; €€€) This elegant hotel outside of the village center in Campo Carlo Magno has good access to the lifts.

The following hotels are in the original village with the best lift access to 5 Laghi:

Oberosler (0465-441136; fax 0465-443220; €€€), where the lift is in its back yard and the old downtown is only two minutes away, has an outdoor skating rink stretched out below the front.

Majestic (0465-441080; fax 0465-443171; €€) It is a small intimate hotel, across from the 5 Laghi lift. The hotel is owned by a family that once lived in the U.S.A.

Savoia Palace Hotel (0465-441004; fax0465-440549; €€€) This is one of the originals in the town still providing good service in the right location.

Hotel Cristallo (0465-441132; fax 0465-440687; €€€) which overlooks the foot-ball-field sized ice-skating rink, is only about two minutes from the 5 Laghi lift.

Hotel Milano (0465-441210; fax 0465-440631; €€) This is very plain, nothing fancy, with simple food, but a great location.

These hotels are in the original village center with the best access to the Pradalago gondola: Bertelli (0465-441013; fax 0465-440564; photo below left; €€€); Alpina (0465-441075; fax 0465-443465; €€); Ariston (0465-441070; fax 0465-441103; €€); Hotel Laura (0465-441246; fax 0465-441576; €€€) our favorite during our first visit a decade ago—now only better; Campiglio Bellavista (0465-441034; fax 0465-440868; €€); La Baita (0465-441066; fax 0465-440750; €€); Miramonti (0465-441021; fax 440410; €€€).

The following hotels are in the original village with the best lift access to the Spi-nale gondola: Cerana (0465-440552; fax 0465-440587; €€€), just a few yards uphill from the Spinale lift, is close to everything. Grifone (0465-442002; fax 0465-440540; €€€) with a light pine motif, is across the street from the Garni Palu.

Recommended Bed & Breakfasts: Garni Palu (0465-441695; fax 0465-443183; €€) is a cozy, warm and beautiful B&B about a five-minute walk to the nearest lift (Spinale). St. Hubertus (0465-441144; fax 0465-440056; €) is cozy, clean and right across from 5 Laghi lift. La Montanara (0465-441105; fax 0465-441105; €) is equidistant from the 5 Laghi (downhill) and Pradalago lifts (uphill). Cristiania (0465-441470; fax 0465-443310; €), Arnica (0465-442227; fax 0465-440377; €) and Dello Sportivo (0465-441101; fax 0465-440800; €) are all near the Pradalago gondola.

Alternative Lodging: Madonna also has a series of mountain refuges where skiers can stay on the slopes. The largest is Rifugio Graffer (0465-441358). A week of half-board in a bunk bed costs less than €300—discounts apply for mountain club members such as AMC. Daily half-pension is about €45 or €40 for mountain club members.

One refuge that is treated as a hotel is Dosson (441507), very small with a week of half-pension for about €300.

Ski Chalets: Crystal. Click here for more information on ski chalets.

Apartments, condominiums, flats
Apartments rent from Sunday to Sunday or from one Saturday to the next Saturday.

Alpen Suite Hotel, previously the Residence Roch, (0465-503900; fax 0465-503902) has apartments for three, four or five people. In low season, expect to pay approximately €200 a week per person; in high season, €300. The price includes daily maid service (except kitchen cleanup). Garage space rents for about €30. Both sauna and solarium are available.

Residence Perla (0465-446010; fax 0465-440879) is the most luxurious but at the far end of town.

Torre del Brenta (0465-441078; fax 0465-441078) is the newest construction right next to the Pradalago gondola.

The tourist board can provide additional listings of apartments in the town. There are five other flat rental agents in Madonna with two additional sets of apartments in Campo Carlo Magno. As always make your selection based on location.