Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
good dining options in the town, you could do worse than to use the in-house
ris-
torante,
where regional dishes are served.
€€
-
€€€
The town center is where you'll find
Hotel Montana
(Corso Italia, 94;
%
0436-862126; www.cortina-hotel.com),
which is comfortable and affordable—
more so if you stay for periods of 7 days or longer (in popular Feb, you'll generally
pay
€
880 for a double for a 1-week stay, while the Jan rate is
€
550). There are
also some excellent online specials from time to time; I recently found a weekly
rate of
€
175 per person for October. Guest rooms are mostly spacious, with
wooden floors and typical, quaint styling; ask for one with a balcony affording
views of the Dolomites. Only breakfast is served, but there are a number of cafes
nearby where you can eat cheaply, or picnic in your room with supplies from the
nearby supermarket.
€€
-
€€€€
If you are traveling with your own vehicle, you might want to con-
sider the charming, homey
Hotel Menardi
(Via Majon, 110,
%
0436-2400;
www.hotelmenardi.it),
which somehow feels just the way an Alpine retreat should.
The hotel has been a family concern since the early 20th century, when the
Menardis moved from farming to hosting guests and travelers. Guest rooms start
at about
€
45 per person. Rooms vary considerably, too, but they're all fairly spa-
cious, with pine floors, pine walls, pine cupboards, and a pine desk; fabrics are
eclectic with fussy patterns. Rooms in the 15-year-old annex are larger and car-
peted (they're also a touch more stylish and modern); I would advise asking for a
first-floor corner unit, where you can enjoy breakfast on your wooden balcony
while enjoying views of the surrounding mountains. In the annex, the Menardis
have added a wellness center where you can defrost in the Jacuzzi or sauna or
steam bath, or enjoy a deep tissue massage. The warm atmosphere pervades the
public spaces, from the lobby area, filled with statues of the Virgin, to the cozy
bar, where a fire is lit in winter, and the downstairs wine nook (a typical feature
of Dolomite homes), where tastings are sometimes held.
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Another well-priced option is
Hotel Villa Gaia
(Via Guide Alpine, 96;
%
0436-2974; www.hotelvillagaia.it),
which has benefited from a refreshing
makeover. It may not be the most fabulous hotel in town, but there's a quaintness
about the place that seems to underscore the keenly low prices. Open year-round,
the peak season rate (other than the Christmas to New Year's period) is
€€€
120 dou-
ble, including breakfast; there are additional discounts for weeklong stays during the
popular “white weeks.” Guest rooms are simple, with wood-paneled walls and the
usual, basic styling; some of the rooms have spectacular views from tiny terraces.
€
€€€
-
€€€€
While Menardi's charms are mostly concerned with its large gar-
den that's dotted with wooden barrows of colorful flowers, I must tell you that
Hotel Ambra
(Via XXIX Maggia, 28;
%
0436-867344; www.hotelambracortina.
it),
situated in the center near the town's church bell tower, is smarter and offers
cheaper rates during most of the winter season (although it's pricier in summer,
when it seems to attract a steady, loyal following). Ambra is the hands-down win-
ner for value with a sleek design. There may not be as much space at Ambra (it's
5
