Planning an August 2026 visit. Most likely staying in Ortisei. 4/5 star hotel. Trying to decide between Half-board and breakfast only. If we do breakfast only, how hard is it to get a table for dinner in town in the height of the tourist season? Do you always need reservations? Do restaurants book up days in advance?
Will be staying for 5 to 7 nights. The restaurants at the hotels we are considering look amazing, so perhaps eating dinner there each night won't get boring, but on the other hand there are probably lots of other great restaurants we'd like to check out.
What has been your experience?
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3829 posts
Tons of restaurants in Ortisei and neighboring Santa Cristina Gherdeina to choose from. I find half-board to confine one to the hotel restaurant only and that would be very redundant over a 5 to 7-night stay.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
12171 posts
If you have never done half-board, I can tell you it is a treat! We enjoy that very much when offered.
Ortisei is indeed very busy in August — the busiest it gets outside of some winter ski weeks. I would not dream of expecting a restaurant to seat me without a reservation during peak season. Call at least two days in advance to minimize disappointment. Some restaurants actually give you a better table if you reserve. This is true at Maurizkeller in Ortisei and I highly recommend them.
It’s hard to depend on going to a neighboring town for dinner. Buses get scarce at night and you don’t want to risk having so much as a glass of wine at dinner then driving, so you’d have to use taxis.