7 favorite hotels IN northern ITALY

The accommodations we choose are typically locally or family owned, making your stay welcoming, unique and personal - the best spots to end an active day with relaxation, delicious food & wine, gracious hospitality and fun. 

Here are our favorite boutique hotels, lodges & huts in the Dolomites & Alps of Northern Italy.

1. Miramonti | South Tyrol, Italy

Hard to find, hard to forget
Miramonti is located on a sunny plateau in the quaint town of Hafling (Avelengo) in the South Tyrol. This family-run boutique hotel overlooks the spa town of Merano and offers incredible panoramic views of emerald meadows, vineyards and the stunning mountains. Carmen and Klaus Alber, owners of Miramonti, made it their mission to find a place of incredible natural beauty from which they created Miramonti. The design is a unique combination of Nordic and South Tyrolean traditions - warming woods that offer a cozy vibe mixed with large glass windows and modern decor offer comfort and relaxation. The hospitality from the entire Miramonti staff is immediately evident and you’ll feel welcome and at home as soon as you arrive. The spa is a major wow-factor as it’s a saltwater, infinity pool that overlooks the massive Alps. There’s a fantastic network of hiking trails accessible right from the hotel’s doorstop and the Merano 2000 (a cable car that brings you up to higher views and longer trails) is just a short drive away. There are three restaurants on-site, all of which serve incredible food and focus on the Slow Food movement, bringing in regional ingredients from all over the South Tyrol. Breakfast is an experience in and of itself: local cheeses & meats, breads and baked goods, perfectly brewed espresso, freshly squeezed juices, local butter and homemade granola. The perfect way to start your day of activity.

Fun fact: parts of The Spy Who Loved Me, the James Bond movie, was filmed here.

2. CHALET DEL SOGNO | MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, ITALY

Nestled in the heart of the Brenta Dolomites, an oasis of peace in harmony with nature
The Schiavon family built this beautiful boutique hotel from the ground up. Designed with the environment in mind, the hotel is heated with geothermal energy and built using natural materials including wood, wool, lime and local stone. Tucked away on the hillside with incredible access to the surrounding hiking trails and town, Chalet del Sogno offers incredible views and exceptional hospitality from the Schiavon family and hotel staff. The on-site restaurant, Due Pini, is top-notch, and blends traditional and contemporary styles and using regional, farm-to-table ingredients. The hotel’s accommodation is luxurious and the spa is wonderful. The chalet offers eighteen spacious bedrooms which are all decorated on the theme of local flora and fauna. The breakfast is hearty and offers as variety of local cheeses & meats, bread, fresh juices, jams & honey and all sorts of tasty baked goods. It’s clear that Chalet del Sogno was built out of so much love and care.

3. OTTMANNGUT | MERANO, ITALY

A little gem surrounded by palm trees and cypresses
Based in the Italian spa town of Merano, Ottmanngut is a family-run boutique hotel and one of our absolute favorite places to stay. The original house was built in the 13th century when it was a farmer’s house and vineyard. In the middle of the 18th century, the Kirchlechner family purchased the home and it became a small hotel. It has been in the same family ever since. According to Martin Kirchlechner (the great grandson of the original owners), the hotel is rooted very deeply in tradition and good, local food and Ottmangut is about bringing old traditions back to life, but with a fresh take. On site, there are gorgeous Mediterranean gardens with Cypress & Lemon trees, as well as a small vineyard. Each suite is unique with every element chosen specifically by the owners to reflect boutique luxury and timelessness throughout the hotel. Martin, his family and his staff are all incredibly accommodating, welcoming and passionate about their hotel and the region. The breakfast here is truly special and the staff takes great care to ensure you enjoy every bit of it slowly and thoughtfully. Here, you’ll experience a daily changing menu of several courses, freshly prepared and completely in line with the Slow Food philosophy. Overall, Ottmanngut offers authenticity, simplicity, and high quality in everything they do.

4. RIFUGIO ALIMONTA | DOLOMITES, ITALY

High mountain hut in the heart of the Brenta Dolomites
It was in the mid-sixties when Gilio & Ezio Alimonta finished a climb on the Brenta and came up with the brilliant idea of building a hut in the beautiful amphitheater of Conca degli Sfulmini. Their idea was to build a hut for mountaineers so that they could be as close to the mountains as possible for their adventures. In one of the most majestic settings, Rifugio Alimonta was built. Over the years, it has grown and is still run by the family Alimonta. Reachable only by foot, the hut is located on a narrow rocky ledge which also happens to be an extraordinarily panoramic terrace since it is surrounded by the huge Dolomites needles of Torre di Brenta, Gli Sfulmini, Torre Molveno, Cima Brenta, Cima Mandron, Punte di Campiglio. and Conca degli Sfulmini. Located on the Sentiero delle Bocchette, the Alps’ most famous via ferrata, this rifugio is accessible via hiking trails and/or via ferrata. The hut offers both private and dormitory style rooms and the restaurant serves hearty, homemade three-course meals to enjoy surrounded by hikers and climbers from around the world. Drinking a beer as you watch the sun set as it casts a rose colored hue over the dramatic Dolomites from this spectacular setting is truly something special.

5. HOTEL DUE TORRI | VERONA, ITALY

14th-century palace in historic Verona
Housed in a 14th-century palace in the historic center of Verona, Due Torri Hotel is a full of charm and history. Here, you’re close to Juliet’s Balcony, the Arena and the Verona Cathedral. The rooms are all beautifully decorated in high quality period furniture, handcrafted marble, mosaics and exquisite Italian textiles. The hotel itself maintains much of its original medieval architecture like the massive stone archways and it houses lovely Renaissance-era frescos, chandeliers and marbled floors. The vibe here is historic and traditional combined with contemporary touches and modern flair. The staff are all friendly and welcoming and are there to help with whatever you may need. Other than the ideal location for exploring Verona, our favorite part of Hotel Due Torri is the panoramic rooftop terrace that offers stunning views of the historic city center - a great spot to take in the sunset over cocktails or dinner.

6. RIFUGIO LAGAZUOI | DOLOMITES, ITALY

Perfectly perched for ultimate sunset viewing
Rifugio Lagazuoi is the highest rifugio in the area, reachable only by foot for by a nearby cable car. It’s situated on Mount Lagazuoi peak above Falzarego Pass in between Cortina and the Badia Valley in the Dolomites and between the Natural Park of Fanes and Sennes and the one of the Ampezzo Dolomites. Ugo Pompanin, a local alpine guide and mountaineer with many first ascents in the Dolomites built the rifugio in 1965. It is now run by his son, Guido Pompanin, and his wife Alma. Set on the trail of the Alta Via 1, Rifugio Lagazuoi is a popular place to stay overnight. The beautiful wood-paneled dining room with huge windows serves incredible local food with South Tyrolean influences (think: polenta and strudel). From the large outdoor terrace, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most magnificent 360-degree view in the Dolomites where you can see Tofano, Cristallo & Marmodala. The hut offers both private and dormitory style rooms. This particular area of the Dolomites is very interesting as you’ll find wartime tunnels, remnants and emplacements from World War I.

7. könig laurin | san genesio, italy

Breathtaking panoramic views of the Dolomites
Hotel König Laurin is a lovely bed & breakfast with just 30 rooms and stunning views of the Dolomites. Located at the edge of a forest, it’s the perfect place to end your trek on the E5 having started in Oberstdorf and ending just outside of Bolzano. Located in the South Tyrol, König Laurin provides a peaceful, quiet and comfortable atmosphere to enjoy a relaxing stay. The food here is delicious and Egon, the owner himself, prepares a hearty breakfast and refined dinners combining traditional local specialities with Mediterranean cuisine. You’ll feel welcomed and taken care of the second that you pop out of the forest and arrive at Hotel König Laurin. If you choose to spend a couple of nights here, a ride on the local Haflinger horses in the open air on the beautiful Salto plateau is highly recommended.

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