Hiking Hotel in South Tyrol

What is your specific need for a “hiking” hotel??? Do require guides? Gear? Or just somewhere that understands hikers may have dirty boots and offers a storage room?

I ask simply because every hotel expects their summer guests to be there expressly to hike as their winter guests are there to ski. Consequently, the infrastructure in towns is specifically geared for hiking. Every place we have been throughout the Alps and Dolomites has had hotel staff able to recommend hikes and, in some cases, even loan some gear such as poles. Additionally, each towns tourist office can advise a week’s worth of hikes in 5 minutes.

I have stayed at the Hotel Gardena Grodnerhof as a hiking base in Ortisei. It was spectacular but is very expensive now (not so much when we were there). They have a hiking guide hosting two group hikes a week and a selection of poles and even packs. They have a great restaurant for half board or full board options and there is another Michelin starred restaurant attached as well.

Ortisei was a great base with three lifts right in town and good public transit. It remains our favorite destination.

We absolutely LOVE AlpenHotel Panorama in the Alpe di Siusi. Reasonable prices, excellent food, and you walk out the door to hike right after breakfast, with no need for buses. We reach it via Bolzano (arrive by train) and we have a taxi take us up to the AdS, an indulgence for certain, but worth it. If you want to take public trans you can take the lift to Compatsch from Siusi and then a taxi in the AdS to avoid the uphill walk with baggage. There is a chair lift from Compatsch to the hotel (the Panorama cable way) but that’s tough with luggage,,

Another option that is a bit easier to reach is Hotel Albion, just outside of Ortisei. We spent a Christmas there years ago. It is on the bus line into Ortisei and there is — at least was — a shuttle from the hotel more-or-less on demand to drop you in Ortisei or at one of the lift stations.

I’ve stayed at Hotel Grones in Ortisei twice (most recently last month) and loved it. I highly recommend the half board option; the food is fantastic.

The answer depends on what kind of hiker you are and if you have a car.

Check out the Dolomite guides on Moon and Honey travel. They can give you way more info than anyone here can.

I planned almost my entire trip using their info as a resource.

Also, people here are automatically programmed to recommend Ortisei.

Also, people here are automatically programmed to recommend Ortisei.

The thing about Ortisei (or Santa Cristina or Selva) that it is easy to reach, has excellent public transportation with the passes given out by hotels, and in the Val Gardena there are numerous cableways and hiking trails for all skill levels. It’s a package. It’s charming. No car required. We have been to other parts of the Dolomites and yes, they are beautiful, but it’s very challenging without a car to efficiently get to places like the Val di Fossa, the Sesto Dolomiti, etc. 2.5 hour bus rides — or drives — from Bolzano are daunting, especially if you only have a few days to devote to the area.