Dolomites, Cortina or Bolzano or Castelrotto?

A few years ago - -2008 I think [INVALID] we stayed at the Hotel Cavallino d'Oro in Castelrotto. We paid 88 euros for a very nice room, including a breakfast buffet that was more than a continental br. We were very happy with Castelrotto as a base. There's inexpensive bus service to Bolzano, which eliminated the need to find and pay for parking. It's close to several scenic areas that we visited by car, as well.

Cortina is a high-end ski resort and notoriously expensive. Also, many of the places book for a full week, and are booked year to year by the same families. That may account for the lack of availability; or perhaps some of the smaller places haven't started accepting reservations for July 2011 yet. But even if you find something it will be $$$.....Bolzano is a pretty town but very hot in July and it is not in the Dolomites. Castelrotto is a charming little town and I cannot compare it to Cortina, but you would surely find family-friendly and affordable accommodations there. Take a look at Haus Silbernagl. . . . . But again, Castelrotto is not right "in" the Dolomites. It is a good base for visits to different areas, and you can see some mountains from there. But if you want to be in a mountain town that may have a similar feel to Cortina, try one of the villages in Val Gardena. These are all nice summer and winter resorts with nice views and lifts that take you right up to walking paths with restaurants and rifugios. This is also a very family-friendly area with a wide range of accommodations, including lots of apartments that would suit a family. Most would be by the week, but if you try the various search functions you may be able to find an apartment hotel that will consider a 3-night rental. The earlier in July you can go the more likely you are to find something.

Hello Kerry, In June of 2008, my wife, our two teenage boys and myself, stayed at Hotel Lupo in Castelrotto. We had a large room with a balcony and a view of the mountains. I found the prices to be reasonable and the service excellent. We did a bus day trip to Bolzano to see Otzi (highly reccomended!). Bolzano, although beautiful was hot and muggy, we were glad to get back up to the cool alpine climate of Castelrotto. We did driving day trips to Canezi and Passo Pordoi. My wife and I will be returning to Italy and the Dolomites in the later part of this month. Coincidently, we will be staying a few days in Cortina at the Hotel Montana. This will be our first time in Cortina. I hope this is helpful. Cordiali Saluti, David

Thanks all. It sounds like it's Cortina we really want to be in. The Hotel Montana which gets a better customer rating is fully booked for the dates I need Jul 7 - 10. The ONLY hotel available is the Meuble Villa Neve at $285 per night. It gets good reviews. Is Cortina really all that spectacular???? The photo's I see on-line just don't do it justice. Anyone been to this hotel. It just looks okay in the photos.

Kerry, there are many villages in the Dolomites that are as beautiful as the setting of Cortina, or more so. take a look at photos at Val-Gardena.com, or Google photos of Selva di Gardena or Santa Christina in Val Gardena, or Corvara or Colfosco in Val Badia. the last two are particularly charming small villages , with lovely mountain views, great food, nice walks, and friendly people. you might take a look. I've to the Dolomites several times and I have never heard anything about Cortina that inspired me to go there.

Thanks Lola, I will take a look!

I took a look at the Meuble Villa Neve online. The rate through Booking.com for the family room in early July was 225 euro, so that looks like the same as you found. The exterior looks typical for this area[INVALID]very Tyrolean, with flower-bedecked balconies. Can't tell about the rooms. It looks like there may be quite a bit of traffic around it, but other than that I don't see anything negative. If you have your heart set on Cortina, it would probably be fine. But do have a look at the other areas I suggested. Specifically, look at Garni Delta in Colfosco[INVALID]-great views, 4-bed rooms and apartments are 33 euro per person, including breakfast. But how are you traveling? some of these places are a lot easier to reach by car.

Thank you Lola. We are trying to spare the expense of car rentals on this 3 - 4 week tour of Italy, by staying in places that don't require one. Our rough itinerary includes bases in: Dolomites, Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Amalfi Coast & Rome. However, since we will only be in the Dolomites for about 3 days, we could always rent a car for those days. I'll check into your suggestion.

the bus service (Sudtirol Autodienst) is very good, but you are dependent on their schedule, and we have found some of the buses crowded. with 5 of you, a car would give you much more flexibility. you could pick up a car in Bolzana with a 3day rental, but check the opening hours of the rental agency. the Autoeurope vendor in Bolzano has limited hours on weekends.

Hi Kerry, Instead of Cortina, I'd suggest any of the 3 towns/villages (Ortisei, St. Christina, Selva) of the Val Gardena. Bolzano is about 40 minutes from the Dolomites and Castlerotto, while quaint but small, is not in the Dolomites either. Unfortunately, RS leaves out the Val Gardena and every other beautiful valley of the Dolomites and merely recommends Castelrotto.... www.val-gardena.com.... Paul

Thank you. You've both pointed me in the right direction!

Hi again Kerry, With a budget of no more than $200, we can recommend the Garni Ariston in St. Christina, Val Gardena. Not sure if the appartments are available for 3 nights, but 2 rooms (w/buffet breakfast included ) is still way under your budget...... www.garniariston.com.....we have a few photos at....www.worldisround.com/articles/351565/index.html.... If you decide to rent a car, we can also recommend the Ciasa Montanara in La Villa, Alta Badia......www.montanara.it....www.altabadia.it.... www.worldisround.com/articles/355539/index.html......Paul

Thanks Paul! I will look into your suggestions.