Feel the Energy of Nature...
Michael Gates took to the slopes and enjoyed a luxury stay at Hotel Sassongher in Dolomites
Location
Located in the heart of the South Tyrolean Dolomites, a natural and stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sassongher Hotel is situated in the pretty village of Corvara. It is one of 6 villages in Alta Badia, a region steeped in history, culture and tradition. The central location offers some of the best skiing in Europe with over 1,200km of slopes and direct access to the Sella Ronda circuit. It’s just over a three-hour drive from Venice and a slightly shorter journey of two and half hours from Innsbruck.
Facilities
Owned and run by the Pescosta family since 1933, the luxury hotel prides itself in providing warm, genuine and traditional hospitality. With 80 years of ongoing restoration and most recently in 2018 extensive works to expand the hotel, there are now 65 rooms and 12 individually styled suites.
Guests can enjoy the hotel on a half board basis, dining in the main restaurant or in one of the 3 traditional and cosy Stube dining rooms, one of which dates back to the 15th century. There are buffet and a la carte options with traditional cuisine, locally sourced dishes and a fantastic selection of wines. You can enjoy an aperitif or nightcap in the hotel’s piano bar which has daily live entertainment.
The wellness spa features a large swimming pool, a Finnish sauna, 2 Jacuzzis and 6 treatment rooms. You can take it easy after a day’s activities in one of the relaxation areas or visit the new Sky spa and sauna on the hotel roof. Other facilities include a well-equipped fitness centre, private cinema and a children’s playroom. If arriving by car there is a large underground car park and if you are pulling out all the stops, the hotel has a private heliport. A daily shuttle service runs you into Corvara within a few minutes or you can walk the short distance in around 10 minutes.
Rooms
In addition to the luxury suites, there are room types ranging from comfort to deluxe, all of which are spacious and lovingly furnished. Rooms are fully equipped with everything you’d expect from a luxury hotel and also include Chopard toiletries and a spa bag for the wellness area. My balcony overlooked the village below, which looked just as stunning when lit up at night as it did against the mountainous backdrop during the day.
My Experience
Having never visited a ski resort before and being a complete beginner, I must admit I was a little anxious. I needn’t have worried as the instructors in Corvara were fantastic and by day 2 I had progressed from the nursery slopes to the blues. My stay at Hotel Sassongher was wonderful. From the warm friendly welcome, the fantastic hospitality and of course the amazing food, the hotel is full of beauty, charm and history. I was fascinated to learn about the local Ladin culture and my other highlights were the spa and wellness areas and the piano bar which had a magical atmosphere in the evenings. Francesco and the team take great pride in what they do, and the experience certainly lives up to the reputation.
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