Going with two other couples in July to Dolomites to hike for 6 days. Thinking we would divide up our stay into two different areas. Would love recommendations for two bases, accommodations, and any especially beautiful hikes ( or are all of them just gorgeous?) for seniors in good shape!
Thanks for any restaurant favorites as well!!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...rip-Italy.html

Which part of the Dolomites:
Bellunese
Agordino
Trentino
Dolomiti di Brenta
Sextener Dolomiten
Osttiroler Dolomiten
?????

We stayed in Ortisei. Our hotel: Hotel Digon. Small family run inn in which we had breakfast and dinner included in the rate. Really liked it.
Hoteldigon.com

We based in Ortisei this last July for 6 nights, had an apartment in the Residence Lastei. Ortisei is an excellent base if you don't have a car. Check my TR with photos of our walks by clicking on my screen name. It will help with planning the walks. My favourites were taking the cablecar up the Seceda, and walking to Pieralonga, then down to Col Raiser, easy walk with stunning vistas at every turn. And the cablecar stations and huts en route are wonderful places for lunch or apfelstrudel.My other favourite walk involved the local bus to Sassolungo, the lifts up, just for the experience and views, then further down valley we took Campionoi lift and walked to Comici hut. If I were to do that again, I would continue from Comici to Sassolungo rather than backtrack.
A week in Ortisei is not too long, I would return and add walks now I know the layout and how much we enjoyed it. It is a vibrant little place with great restaurants and 3 lifts, so easy to simply walk to lift stations.
It is easy to plan walks with lovely lunch breaks, add on or stop as you feel, it really is heaven on earth there.

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Ortisei, Hotel Grones which included dinner. We weren't too sure about the dinner until we went to one. Fabulous food and nice to stay put after hiking all day. Nice indoor pool, beautiful views. Family owned and run.

Thanks. Looking at lodging and both Grones and Dignon aren't available for our dates, but they look great.
Thinking Ortesei area and maybe Cortina area and might move to four nights each after reading about it more! Surprised that so many places are fully booked already for July.
Appreciate the help.

We've only been to the Val Gardena area in the Dolomites which is where we found one of neatest hotels we've ever visited. Check out Hotel Uhrerhof Dëur at http://www.uhrerhof.com/en.html. It's not the cheapest place but it's one of the quaintest places we've ever been. The food is included and is incredible.

You just can't miss Cortina d'Ampezzo, everything else pales in comparison. My favourite hike is to lake Sorapis. I also love some of the the hikes around the Falzarego Pass.

<i>My favourites were taking the cablecar up the Seceda, and walking to Pieralonga, then down to Col Raiser, easy walk with stunning vistas at every turn.</i>

Possibly my favorite hike of all time, actually. And that's saying something. Pix to prove it:
http://onelittleworld.zenfolio.com/p951565553

Also...
Don't miss the "flying phone booths" of the Passo Sella lift. And the gorgeous views from the (easily accessible) Alpe di Siusi. And the astonishing Dantercepies (although the full hike might be a bit much for some).

We spent six days in Val Gardena, and wished we'd spent more. A lot more.

We stayed in one of the greatest hotels I have ever stayed in and that includes many 5 star hotels. The Hotel Gardena Grodnerhof in Ortisei!! Nothing too special about the rooms, the service is unmatched!! The food is outstanding and the dessert buffet was beyond belief!! I told the owner of the place that I was playing golf the next day, he asked me if I wanted to use his clubs?! Good luck with your search!

<Possibly my favorite hike of all time>

mr_go : your photos and TR were a big factor in us choosing the Dolomites and Ortisei on our last trip, so I really owe you, a brilliant holiday. And yes, 7 nights was not enough for us either.

Deb: We are also six, driving from Venice, and were thinking of renting a van to accommodate us and our luggage, which I am afraid may be a bit of a tank for the Dolomite passes... Are you renting a vehicle and driving as well?

We stayed in Ortisei for 7 nights and loved it. Great access to lots of hikes and good variety of amenities in town.

You can see our pics here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57636058614266

Happy planning!

When people say hikes, are they referring to hikes which take only a few hours and you return to your hotel for the night?

There are tour operators which seem to offer multi-day or multi-week hikes, where you're staying in rifugios and they transport your luggage.

More like trekking.

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