No Need to Ski to enjoy Hotel Ambra Cortina:
There are moments when I wonder just what I am doing. Like Bridget Jones, I don’t ski. And, my personal style, if you can call it that, is distinctly British – an ageing, rather cuddly English rose if you are feeling kind. All sorts of things I’d rather not mention if you are not. So, taking myself off to an elegant, ultra fashionable ski resort in the Dolomites to stay at the charming Hotel Ambra Cortina could have been a disaster. But, if I’d said no to the invitation, I’d have spent the next few days wondering just what I might have missed…
Of course, deciding to go anyway wasn’t a bad decision at all. Cortina turned out to be everything I’d expected and more – elegant and full of wonderful boutiques. The ski slopes were pristine and although it was too early in the year for much snow, everything was picture postcard perfect. And I found a welcome level of hospitality and charm at Hotel Ambra Cortina.
Without any doubt, Hotel Ambra Cortina is the kind of hotel I like to visit. Small enough to be friendly and intimate but beautifully appointed and full of quality fixtures and fittings, I suspect its 4 star rating is more down to the rigidity of the tick-box star system than to the level of luxury offered by the hotel.
Every room is different – mine, on the ‘Theatre’ floor was the Mirandolina – a tribute to the ‘Innkeeper’s Woman’ the 1753 three-act comedy by the Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni. With a large, comfortable four poster bed, double shower and stunning carved wall, together with a tiny balcony looking out over the Dolomites, it managed to combine an alpine style with contemporary design so that nothing was chi-chi and, importantly, there were sockets for the jungle of battery chargers, phone cables and computers that I seem to need to travel with these days.
There were those lovely boutique hotel touches too – a bottle of rose prosecco and a bowl of fresh fruit, chocolates on the pillow each night and the kind of chic toiletries which look as pretty as they are useful. Good quality white bed-linen, fluffy towels, robes and slippers all added to the boutique feel.
Downstairs, the hotel has a small drawing room area where you can enjoy a cocktail, or even aperitivo in the early evening, with home made snacks. As you walk in from a day skiing or a night out, you’ll be offered a drink – a pot of chamomile tea or a nightcap – it’s your choice. And, in the morning, the hotel has a comfortable breakfast room where you can indulge in all sorts of pastries, cakes and bakery or fill up on local cheeses, prosciutto and smoked fish. There’s fresh fruit, a selection of yoghurts and a whole range of cereals too.
Perhaps the nicest thing about Hotel Ambra Cortina is the individuality of the rooms. I suspect that visitors often become regulars – and those regulars quickly decide where they want to stay. The luxury roof rooms are all decorated in typical Ampezzo style, but with enough in terms of modern amenities to keep Metropolitan Man (or Woman) happy. One of the rooms, Hockey, has a loft with two single beds – perfect for a family with children perhaps? And two of the others can interconnect – Tofane (named after one of the most famous mountains in the Ampezzo valley) which has a comfy double bed and a sofabed too, and Olympia which (as the name suggests is themed around the winter Olympics that were held in Cortina ).
The rest of the hotel has been renovated more recently, without any loss of quality. There are rooms with double showers and others with a spa bath. Some have balconies.
You can pick your preferred decor from the Cinema and Theatre rooms through to more gentle Nature or Fashion rooms.
Whichever room you end up staying in, there’s a high level of comfort and luxury and you’ll find the staff are on hand 24×7 to help with any queries. You’ll probably meet owner Elisabetta Dotto too, who took over ownership of the hotel some ten years ago. The daughter and grand-daughter of hoteliers she was born and brought up in a hotel and has spent her life working in hospitality. In the ten years she’s owned the hotel, she’s clearly become an important part of the local community and champions events such as an annual fashion week. Walk around the town with her and you’ll find she knows everyone. Of course, for her guests, that means she can provide uniquely personal and insightful advice on what to do and where to go.
More of that to come. I was lucky enough to spend some time with Elisabetta and will share with you, gentle readers, what to do in Cortina whether you are looking to ski or not, in another post. And, of course, I’d recommend you stay at Hotel Ambra Cortina, a member of the Hip Hotels network and somewhere with unique charm and a high level of comfort.
Hotel Ambra Cortina
Via XXIX Maggio, 28
32043
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Belluno
Italy
Tel 0039 0436 867344
Thinking of visiting the Dolomites or planning a ski trip?
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We adored this gorgeous hotel when we stayed recently. We must have missed each other by only a couple of days Fiona. The rooms are so beautiful and individual. The red theatre room was a favourite of mine, so dramatic. Perfectly situated just behind the main square I would go back tomorrow.
We did, Elisabetta was expecting you the day after I left;)
OOh this is the second review I have read of this hotel in recent days and it sounds just as lovely in your review as it did in the other. i love that it is so quaint and every bit as I expected to find x
Melissa was there a couple of days after me – was it her review you read ?
That room looks stunning and those croissants are making me feel hungry x
Oh my goodness what an absolutely stunning hotel – I don’t think I would ever want to leave the bed it looks so comfortable! x
I certainly didn’t miss the skiing;) Much better to have a good lie in!
That bed is what dreams are made of! Sounds perfect 🙂 ox
Wow, absolutely gorgeous! That big red bed seems to be calling my name…
Stunning place. It’s so great to read such honest and great reviews.
Looks like a very nice place to visit
Oh yes, exactly the kind of place we love too. I love hotels where the rooms are all different but each one is attractive, comfortable and with lots of lovely touches. It’s so often about all the little details as much as the big ones. And an owner who really involves themselves in every aspect is often the key to great service. Looks like a lovely place.
We used to live about an hour from Cortina when we lived in Italy. We’ve been by this hotel countless times. It’s lovely to have a peek inside.
Much like you, I’m not much of a skier, so relaxing in a beautiful hotel is my idea of a good time! Of course, enjoying a little apres-ski is always a nice way to spend an afternoon too! Love the individuality of the rooms and its unique charm. Always better than generic, standardized chain hotels, that’s for sure!
The beds look so inviting at this hour (I’m writing this at 2.30 a.m. 😀 ) and the rooms look well appointed. My experience with boutique hotels in Italy has been less favourable, esp. in terms of room size, which is why I tend to stick to chain hotels when in Italy. This hotel however, doesn’t look bad at all. I’m not a skier either but I definitely wouldn’t mind staying here for a break.
What really fascinates me is how they use the smallest of spaces to create such a cozy, inviting bedroom! That’s real creativity, the real challenge lies in doing up interiors of small spaces. And as you mention, individualized decor really steps it up a notch.
I love the idea of being able to enjoy the luxuries of a ski resort without having to actually ski – I’ve never done it before so am hesitant to know how I would go haha! I would love to visit somewhere like Hotel Ambra Cortina and perhaps watch everyone enjoying the slopes on the first trip and then maybe give it a go on a second holiday.
Love that the owner walks around to meet and greet guests. Such a lovely and personal touch 🙂
I love it when hotels style each room different. It makes it feel like you could stay there many times and never have the same experience twice. Everything looks so lovely there. And while I don’t really ski either, I can see going there for a relaxing weekend, even so.
Your opening paragraph had me crying with laughter. From one fellow Bridget to another- I get you! I cannot ski at all! However this hotel looks like the dream- I love the four-poster beds and elegant decor. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay!
The hotel looks so regal! The four poster beds are to die for and those freshly baked croissants and making my mouth water just looking at them. The hotel sounds like a great spot to base yourself for both sightseeing and skiing 🙂
It really sounds like a comfortable hotel where owners actually take pride in their hotel. I would love to stay here for sure. I love how each room has different decor. I would love to stay in the nature room!
Looks like such a cosy and comfortable hotel. I like the different room themes, I think I’d choose the cinema room 🙂 The breakfast sounds lovely too. I really want to return to Italy soon. Polly
this looks beautiful – i dont ski but have always wanted to go on a skiing holiday!
Interesting you can enjoy Cortina without skiing which I have never fancied and often wondered if there would be no point in going to a ski resort for non skiers
wow if I ever go to Italy here is where I would want to come and stay out of this world