cparris

Next summer we would like to visit southern Austria and Italy and spend 5 days hiking in two different areas. I would like to find a hotel where it is easy to hike from without having to drive too much. I would like a nice hotel with pool and sauna (spa?)to ease my muscles. Good food is a must also. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks.

EmilyC

How far south in Austria? Is the Berchtesgaden area possible for you?

cparris

Is there alot of good hiking around Berchtesgaden? I was thinking more toward Bolzano, Cortina...with maybe the area in Austria south of Garmisch.

TuckH

http://www.berchtesgaden.de/en/hiking

Passerine

Nothing wrong at all with Berchtesgaden (although it's in Germany, not Austria or Switzerland), but that part of Austria is very heavily visited--with good reason naturally--and it is nice to get away from the crowds.

This list of spa hotels in Austria might get you thinking:
http://www.wellnesshotel.com/en/hotels/hotels-from-a-z/

Many of the ski resort areas offer good summer rates, esp for multi-night stays on a half pension plan. You can usually find good hiking as well.

All the 4 (and 5) star hotels we've tried in Austria (that had on-site restaurants) served good food. Always check if the half-pension option allows you to choose from a menu or whether you are restricted to a buffet or have only a few main course options.

bobthenavigator

I would look at Val Gardena in the Dolomites and the Seiser Alm hiking area. There are many hotels in Ortisei---the Adler comes to mind with a spa, but look at the Val Gardena web site.

cmeyer54

Cortina is lovely. We stayed at the Hotel Europa. There is a funicular which will take you up to Faloria (sp?) which is a ski area with a nice restaurant and many hiking options either up from the restaurant or all the way back down. There are also some other area lakes which have great trails around them, especially Lake Misurina(?) We also went to Bolzano but preferred our day in Merano which is just a short drive north. Again, there are hiking trails from the city along the river or up along a botanical walk. Since we were staying in Bolzano, I don't have a hotel recommendation for Merano. There are also some neat areas for hiking around Lake Garda and a bit north near the falls and Isera.

pja1

Hi,

I second the recommendation of the Val Gardena area of the Dolomites. The 3 towns/villages that make up Val Gardena are just a 5 minute drive from one another, so there are plenty of choices for hotel and restaurants. I think Ortisei would fit the bill for what you're looking for. There's a cable car right from town that goes up to the Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi.

www.val-gardena.com

www.alpedisiusi-seiseralm.com/index.html


Paul

Steve_James

Hi CP - Another recomendation for Val Gardena

You're spoilt for choice for nice hotels in Ortisei - how much do you want to spend?
These ones all have a pool and sauna:
http://tinyurl.com/6q64bz

Top of the range are the Gardena, Adler, Cavallino Bianco ... or consider the Genziana ...

For the complete Ortisei catalogue (- with links to all hotels) go to:
http://tinyurl.com/6q64bz

Ortisei has an excellent swimming pool (- with sauna facilities) too.
http://www.mardolomit.com
A number of hotels offer free entry.


From Val Gardena you can access the beautiful Alpe di Siusi. The area around Saltria/Sasso Lungo/Sasso Piatto and the Sciliar is unmissable.

http://www.seiseralm.it/en/
http://www.valgardena.it/en/walking-...ng/page50.html

There are organised excursions from the resorts if you prefer to join a group.

If you are interested in more serious hiking, consider the Vie Ferrate.

http://www.planetmountain.com/english/Trekking/ferrate/

http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/Cortin...ubarea=ampezzo

http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/Cortin...ate/index.html

http://freespace.virgin.net/paul.ben...lo/routes.html

Hope this helps ...

Steve

bobthenavigator

Steve, you are awesome. We are going back there in late Sep as we transition from Venice to Bellagio--probably 2 nites in Ortisei after the drive via Cortina.

cparris

Thanks, this is great information. Have you found any hotel that you feel has particularily good food. Besides hiking (and biking) I love to eat!!

cmeyer54

In Cortina - De Beppa Sello is outstanding as is Rau Stau. Rau is defintely tyrolean/german and Beppa Sello is part of the 'plate' restaurants throughout italy.

pja1

Hi again,

While I don't remember the names of the places we ate, along the main road through Val Gardena there are many nice restaurants to choose from. 12 nights in the Dolomites so far and not one bad experience. So far, so good. So very good!

Paul

Steve_James

CP - I prefer to stay in a B&B (- rather than half-board/full-board) - as I enjoy eating out in different restaurants rather than eating in the same hotel every night.

There are a number of nice restaurants in Ortisei - and others in Selva and S. Cristina as Paul says. Like him I've never had a bad experience ...

I usually stay in a pleasant B&B near the centre (- they offer free entry to Mar Dolomit pool as mentioned above)
www.hotelvillapark.com

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve

Cowboy1968

Pragser Wildsee in Southern Tyrol and the only hotel on the lake will qualify for great hiking opportunities, but lacks the "splurge facilities" you mentioned. So probably more a 2nd choice than a first one.
Website only in German and Italian, though.

http://www.lagodibraies.it/

Steve_James

Bob - It sounds like you've got another lovely trip lined up.

September in the Dolomites should be beautiful. Good planning!

Steve

cparris

I don't need a really fancy hotel. I would like a nice hotel and it would be nice to have a sauna and pool...I like smaller hotels that are historic or have a good atmosphere.

pja1

Hi cparris,

The only place we stayed and can recommend in Val Gardena (St. Christina) doesn'thave the ammenities your looking for, but is a very nice place none the less.

www.garniariston.com

The place we stayed in Alta Badia (La Villa) we loved. It has a sauna but no pool. It's in the next valley over from Val Gardena over the Gardena Pass.

www.montanara.it

Plenty of places to choose from on these websites though:

www.val-gardena.com

www.altabadia.com

Paul

cparris

If we stay in Ortisei, does it feel more like a small town with nice town center or is it more like a suburb congested with various hotels... would St. Christina be more of a town feeling?? Has anyone stayed in Castelrotto or over toward Dobbiaco?? I suppose there are more lifts for hiking in the more busy areas. Would you split your time between Val Gardena and Via Badia or just go to one area since I will have maybe 4 or 5 nights to be there. Thanks

kleeblatt

For a quaint small town feeling, stay in Castelrotto. It's beautifully set on a the side of a mountain with gorgeous views, especially in the evening.