7 Best Hotels in The Dolomites, Italy

For a taste of old-school Italian glamour just outside of Merano, you can’t do better than this elegant Relais & Chateaux property high up in the mountains, set amid 4 acres of gardens and featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant and spa that both use products sourced from the land. Enormous individually decorated suites boast country-chic decor, sitting rooms, and terraces or balconies; some of the spacious bathrooms include claw-foot tubs and infrared saunas. Guests can choose from the more gourmet Prezioso restaurant for dinner or the lighter-style Orangerie, which offers a large panoramic terrace, for lunch or dinner. Amid the lovely gardens, you’ll find a heated pool, whirlpool, and freestanding fitness center, while the cozy spa includes three saunas and a steam room—as well as treatments from the hotel’s very own “modern alchemist,” who creates bespoke creams and lotions using plants and herbs from the very same gardens.

Blending beautifully into the mountain landscape, this deluxe lodging just south of Madonna di Campiglio features one of the largest and most impressive spas in the Alps. Elegant, spacious suites incorporate local materials such as wood and stone into the contemporary Alpine decor; all include balconies or terraces with mountain and valley views, and some feature private Jacuzzis and saunas. The 5,000-square-meter (54,000-square-foot) spa includes a dizzying range of pools, saunas, and Turkish baths, along with a fitness center and exceptional spa treatments. The two restaurants, Grual (only for ages 12 and older) and Dolomia, feature seasonal ingredients with a focus on local producers. A shuttle transports skiers and hikers directly to the Pinzolo ski lifts.

Perched up in the hills 4,035 feet above Merano, this striking Alpine hotel takes full advantage of its superlative views with floor-to-ceiling windows in the guest rooms, a panoramic restaurant, and an infinity pool. Guest rooms have a mountain feel, with wood accents (many with light birch-wood paneling), a muted color palette, and sleek Scandinavian-style furnishings; all come with balconies overlooking the mountains. Some suites also include Finnish saunas or Jacuzzis. There’s a choice of three restaurants: the more formal Panorama, which offers tasting menus; the more traditional Miramonte Stube; and the casual Classic Restaurant. You very well might stay at Miramonti just for the spa, spread out across several levels, which includes two pools (one infinity and one heated onsen pool), a forest sauna, and a gym and activity room—all with those wonderful vistas.

If you need somewhere to lay your head after a day of visiting the nearby wineries, this ultramodern property near Lake Caldero, owned by the Moser family, has beautiful views, an expansive spa, a private beach area on the lake, and its own vineyards. The contemporary rooms with wood floors and detailing all have balconies overlooking the lake, vineyards, or garden; some include private infrared saunas in the bathrooms. The restaurant serves local cuisine with Mediterranean flair, or sample meats, cheese, and wine in the charming stone wine cellar. The nearly 39,000-square-foot spa includes an outdoor pool (heated between March and October), an adults-only indoor-outdoor pool, a kids’ pool, whirlpool, steam room, and several saunas, including a lakeside sauna open from November to January. Try the wines from the hotel’s own winery, Mosel Winery, or beers from their microbrewery.

The modern and the ancient contrast beautifully in the contemporary interiors of this renovated palace, only about a 10-minute walk from lively Piazza Walther, but in a quiet neighborhood that seems a world away. Modern, neutral-color guest rooms feature high ceilings, comfy beds, and sitting areas; good-size bathrooms have double sinks and large showers. For a more historical feel, the 936-square-foot Stube Suite has frescoed ceilings in the bedroom and park views. The Cantina Hörtenberg restaurant tucked down a flight of stairs, inside an atmospheric former dungeon, offers a fusion of South Tyrol and Mediterranean dishes. Save time for a swim in the heated outdoor pool, as well as a stop in the spa, with two saunas and a steam room; there’s also a well-equipped gym accessible 24 hours a day.

This family-friendly ultramodern hotel near the Plan de Corones chairlift, made up of four sleek connected houses designed by Italian architect Matteo Thun, offers spacious rooms and an expansive spa. Guest rooms have a contemporary mountain feel, with wood walls and floors; each includes a balcony or terrace. Some of the suites include private saunas or infrared cabins. The inviting spa extends over three floors and includes saunas, a hammam, heated outdoor and rooftop pools, and a 24-hour gym. If you can tear yourself away, the hotel’s “experience concierge” is happy to recommend off-the-beaten-path activities nearby.

Stunning mountain views are the hallmark of this elegant property, dating from 1912, which also has a delightful spa and friendly service. Modern rooms feature wood accents and beamed ceilings; most look straight out to the Dolomites. Ristorante Savoy features international dishes, while 1224 Bar Lounge & Terrace offers lighter bites; both eateries have those awe-inspiring mountain vistas yet again. The spa has a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room, and a well-equipped gym will please active types. Though the location isn’t right near the ski lifts, free transfers are available.