About a month ago there were questions re. where to stay in the Dolomites. We are currently in the area so I thought I’d report back. We spent one night in Bolzano. We liked it, especially Otzi, but I feel it is too far from the mountain activity. We also stayed two nights in Merano. Lovely city, well located for our day trip to Glurns (lovely) and Malles and up to the Stelvio Passo ( wonderful adventure, COLD). We thought Merano was too large for our tastes plus too far to Alpi de Siusi. On our way to Castelrotto, we stopped and hiked to the waterfalls in the Barbiano area (stunning). We decided to get a late lunch in Ortisei and check out the town. It was too posh for our tastes and on a Saturday at 2:30, no restaurants were serving anything but strudel. We looked at the menus and boy prices were high for not terribly inspired food. Ortisei felt like an elite ski town. Authentic yes, but pricey shops and fancy people. We skied in Colorado for about 12 years and my husband’s family ended up buying a home in Steamboat for family use. Ortisei reminded us of the fancier ski towns like Telleride, Aspen, Vail, etc. We are now in Castelrotto. Small, but friendly. Actually, plenty of restaurants, really good, too. Last night we enjoyed Hotel Zum Turm’s restaurant and tonight, Saalstuben was excellent as well. Fair prices.
Today, we took the gondola up to Alpi di Siusi. It is stunning, but currently cold and snow covered. Trails are about 20% snow covered, some areas with slick ice. Glad we went, it was a fabulous day, but hiking shoes/boots are really a must. I would have liked to use my hiking poles more, but eventually my husband put them in his napsack so I could keep my hands in my pockets. It was overcast and about 38 F degrees. We stopped at a chalet and were blown away by food and prices. We expected to pay much more given they have to get the food supplies up there. We had just stopped to warm up and use the WC and enjoyed strudel, hot chocolate with rum and a beer for under 15 euro. We might have planned for a meal if we knew it was that good. I don’t know the name of the place, but it was the last chalet on our hike. We did the Witch’s trail, counterclockwise as recommended by knowledgeable hikers and it was the last chalet of the hike. And, yes, recommend counterclockwise especially given the current conditions, and bring a hat, sunglasses, gloves and good shoes and hiking poles if you use them
We are loving northern Italy especially the Dolomites.