Val Gardena (Gröden in German, Gherdëina in Ladin) is one of the best places to stay in the Dolomites for skiing in winter and hiking in summer and fall.
In this Val Gardena hotel guide, we’ll help you narrow down where to stay, based on location, hotel facilities, budget, season, and travel method (with/without a car).
The main towns in Val Gardena are Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva di Val Gardena.
This guide presents the best boutique and luxury hotels in each town, followed by the best budget-friendly B&Bs, ski-to-door hotels, and Adults-only hotels in the valley.
We’ve also detailed really important things to know about booking hotels in Val Gardena: minimum stay requirement, free transit in summer, half board model, and hotel spa facilities.
Unless otherwise stated, spa facilities, WIFI, and outdoor on-site parking are always complimentary. Some hotels may charge an extra fee for garage parking, but most of the time it’s included.
- Where: South Tyrol, Italy
- Closest Airports: Bolzano Airport (South Tyrol, Italy), Innsbruck Airport (Austria), and Venice International Airport (Italy)
- When to Visit Val Gardena: June – October for hiking, late December – end of March for skiing
- Best Hotels in Ortisei: Hotel Gardena Grödnerhof, Hotel Niblea, Hotel Angelo Engel
- Best Hotels in Santa Cristina: Dorfhotel Beludei and Hotel Touring Dolomites
- Best Hotels in Selva di Val Gardena: Linder Cycling Hotel, Hotel Granbaita Dolomites, Boutique Hotel Nives, and Hotel Freina
- Best B&Bs in Val Gardena: Casa al Sole in Ortisei, Pra Palmer The Green B&B in Ortisei, and Garni Sunela B&B in Selva
- Best Adults-Only Hotels: La Cort My Dollhouse and Chalet Hotel Hartmann in Ortisei
Map of Val Gardena Hotels and Accommodations
How to use this map | Click the map icons to learn more about each Val Gardena accommodation.
WHERE TO STAY
Ortisei
Santa Cristina
Selva
Where to Stay in Val Gardena
There are three main towns in Val Gardena: Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva di Val Gardena.
We’ve personally stayed in Ortisei twice, Santa Cristina twice, and Selva di Val Gardena twice. We return frequently, because this Dolomites region is a great base for exploring Puez-Odle Nature Park, Alpe di Siusi, and the Sassolungo Group.
Each town is distinct and offers something unique.
Ortisei offers the best town atmosphere and the most convenience.
Santa Cristina offers peace and quiet and easy access to lesser known destinations within Puez-Odle Nature Park.
Selva di Val Gardena boasts the most majestic mountain views. It’s the the closest town to Passo Gardena and Passo Sella. Most ski-to-door accommodations are located in Selva.
Ortisei, the westernmost town in the valley, is only a 10 minute drive away from Selva di Val Gardena, the easternmost town in the valley. So, regardless of where you stay, you can easily access other villages and destinations within the valley.
And, if you’re traveling without a car, getting around the valley is effortless thanks to the frequent bus connections.
Best Ortisei Hotels
Ortisei (St. Ulrich in German, Urtijëi in Ladin) is the largest town in Val Gardena with the most shops, restaurants, and bars.
It’s the most atmospheric town in Val Gardena, because of its lovely pedestrianized center.
Ortisei is the ideal base for those traveling without a car, because the town is directly connected to Bolzano train station by bus and everything is within walking distance.
Furthermore, there are several cableways which connect the village with the surrounding mountains. You can take the Ortisei-Resciesa funicular to the Resciesa plateau, the Oritisei-Furnes-Seceda cableways to Seceda, and the Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi gondola to the Alpe di Siusi plateau.
Town Center Hotels
Hotel Grones is a top-rated, family-run hotel which excels in its friendly atmosphere, excellent local and Mediterranean cuisine, traditional, yet lovely rooms. The hotel spa area comprises a swimming pool, hot tub, Finnish sauna, bio sauna, and steam bath.
Hotel Gardena Grödnerhof is a 5-star hotel in the heart of Ortisei, home to the Michelin star Ann Stuben gourmet restaurant. This wellness hotel offers unparalleled spa facilities, flawless service, guided hikes and mountain bike tours, and a weekly fitness program. Guests are treated to a welcome cocktail, generous breakfast buffet, and afternoon cakes and snacks (3 – 5 pm).
Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti is a stunning property surrounded by private grounds, advantageously located in the pedestrian zone of Ortisei. This 5-star hotel offers outstanding service, first-rate spa complex, beautiful rooms, and an on-site restaurant (half board available). 3-7 nights minimum stay.
Where we stayed – Hotel Angelo Engel is situated directly in the town center of Ortisei, walking distance to the Resciesa funicular, Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cableway, and the Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi gondola (Mont Sëuc Ropeway). We loved the central location, the courteous staff, and the wellness and spa area.
Boutique Hotel Planlim sparkles with its fresh alpine design and new wellness area. This hotel is located in a quiet area of Ortisei, only a short walk away from the village center. The Sky Spa encompasses a panoramic rooftop deck with whirlpool, a steam sauna, Finnish sauna, a Kneipp course, and relaxation room. Guests also have access to a garden pool from June until mid-October.
Hotel Montchalet is a 5-star luxury hotel in Ortisei. Clean lines, leather, marble, and indirect lighting create a uniform aesthetic across this elegant mountain chalet hotel. This exclusive accommodation stands out with its gorgeous suites, sophisticated lounge bar, state-of-the-art spa facilities, and beauty center.
Mountainside Hotels
Hotel Digon is a 4-star, family-run hotel set in a quiet area, 1 km from Ortisei. The hotel kitchen serves South Tyrolean cuisine made with local products only, sourced from their own farm. This charming property also boasts a new heated infinity pool, open all-year-long. 1 week minimum stay in high season.
Hotel Niblea stands proudly above Ortisei in its own beautiful oasis. Here you can experience a slice of heaven in the hotel’s new wellness area (panoramic sauna, steam bath, infinity pool), which overlooks Val Gardena. Stay here for the gourmet regional food (book half board!), the unparalleled hospitality, the gorgeous facilities, and the comfort.
La Cort My Dollhouse – Adults Only is perched high above Ortisei and offers 26 stylish rooms, a rooftop spa and pool, and sweeping views of the valley.
Look for accommodation in Ortisei.
Best Santa Cristina Hotels
Santa Cristina (St. Christina in German) is located between Ortisei and Selva di Val Gardena at the foot of the Sassolungo.
This is the quietest of the three towns with the strongest Ladin community.
Santa Cristina offers a central location in Val Gardena, without the crowds and congestion. The vibe is more local, less touristy.
Compared to Ortisei and Selva, there are not as many restaurants and accommodations in Santa Cristina. It’s essential to stay in a hotel with a half board option. The best choice is Dorfhotel Beludei, followed by Hotel Touring.
Those staying in Santa Cristina should take advantage of the Col Raiser gondola. From the mountain station, you can access lesser known areas of Puez-Odle Nature Park including Piz Duleda and Col dala Pieres. You can also hike from Col Raiser to Seceda.
From the town, it’s possible to hike to the panoramic summit of Monte Pic.
Santa Cristina is also directly connected to the Sella Ronda Ski Area and Monte Pana, a cross-country ski center. The town is also home to the legendary Saslong Ski World Cup slope.
Where we stayed – Dorfhotel Beludei is a 4-star-superior boutique hotel set in a quiet location above the village church. Stay here for the innovative cuisine (half board only), Ladin hospitality, and spacious suites. Complimentary Perks: garage parking, winter shuttle to ski slopes, guided hiking tours, and afternoon snack. Read our Dorfhotel Beludei Hotel Review.
Hotel Touring Dolomites is an excellent, family-run hotel with a new spa, rooftop pool, modern rooms, and a fine dining restaurant (half board available). 3-5 nights minimum stay.
Smart Hotel Saslong is a no-frills hotel in Santa Cristina featuring modern, minimalist interiors decorated in local wood. Guests have access to a self-service bar, free parking (indoor and outdoor), and on-site restaurant serving local cuisine. This is a perfect place to stay if you’re traveling with friends. Book breakfast!
Charme Hotel Uridl is a family-run hotel set in a mountain chalet dating back to the 17th century. Stay here for the cozy and quaint atmosphere and delicious breakfast buffets and dinners.
Alpenhotel Plaza is a traditional alpine hotel with an indoor-outdoor pool, spa center, and a South Tyrolean restaurant (half board only). In winter, the hotel shuttles guests to the ski slopes.
Find an accommodation in Santa Cristina.
Best Selva di Val Gardena Hotels
Selva di Val Gardena (Wolkenstein in German, Sëlva in Ladin), the highest village in Val Gardena (1563 m), is blessed with a dramatic setting at the base of the Sella massif.
Selva is also the closest town to Passo Gardena, which is the mountain pass that connects Val Gardena to Val Badia (Alta Badia region), and Passo Sella, the mountain pass that connects Val Gardena to Val di Fassa.
Passo Sella Hikes | Sassolungo Circuit Trail and the Oskar Schuster Via Ferrata
Pass Gardena Hikes | Sass da Ciampac, Gran Cir, and Cima Pisciadù
From Selva, you can also ride the Dantercepies cableways to reach the Cir mountains and the Sass da Ciampac and Gran Cir hiking trails. In winter, the Dantercepies cableways are part of the Sella Ronda ski circuit.
Also, Selva is the gateway to Vallunga valley and Valle de Chedul. Vallunga is a popular walking destination all-year-long.
Linder Cycling Hotel stands out with its bold architecture, stylish urban accents, and laid-back atmosphere. Beyond the captivating design, Linder Cycling Hotel boasts excellent facilities, including a rooftop terrace, indoor pool, bar, and the à la carte Luis Eatery restaurant.
Hotel Granbaita Dolomites is an ode to alpine elegance. This 5-star luxury hotel pampers guests with its lavish rooms, extensive spa area (7 saunas, indoor-outdoor pool, fitness room, spa), and decadent tasting menus. Book half board.
Boutique Hotel Nives – Luxury & Design is a small 4-star-superior hotel in Selva with two restaurants, a spa (saunas and outdoor whirlpool), and an indoor pool. The 13 rooms of family-run Hotel Nives are equipped with Nespresso coffee machines, tea kettles, bathrobes and slippers. Extra perks: free garage parking, free winter ski shuttle, and bike storage. The à la carte Restaurant Nives is open all-year-long, while the Hotel Restaurant Stevia is only open in winter.
Hotel Tyrol is a traditional alpine hotel centrally located in Selva. The hotel’s restaurant offers creative interpretations of Ladin tradition with a Tuscan twist. Stay here for the cozy ambience, the wellness area (saunas, indoor and outdoor heated pool, indoor and outdoor whirlpool, salt cave with chromotherapy), and comfortable rooms. Outdoor parking is free and garage parking is an extra charge.
Where we stayed – Hotel Rodella stands on a hill between Santa Cristina and Selva di Val Gardena, walking distance to the Col Raiser gondola. Commanding the most epic views of the Sella Group and Sassolungo, staying here is absolute bliss, especially at sunset. You can book breakfast-only or half board. Stay here for the views, newly renovated wellness area, and cozy atmosphere. 3 night minimum stay.
Hotel Freina is a welcoming family-run hotel in Selva with an excellent on-site restaurant (serving vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options), wonderful spa, and free garage parking.
Hotel Sun Valley is a 4-star hotel with a feel-good atmosphere, nice rooms, friendly management and staff, and a great restaurant (half board available). The spa comprises an indoor pool, whirlpool, Tyrolean parlor sauna, Brechel bath with fresh pine branches, and a steam bath, and relaxation areas.
Find an accommodation in Selva di Val Gardena.
Best Bed & Breakfasts in Val Gardena
If you’re staying in a guesthouse (“Garni”), pay attention to the check-in times. Most guesthouses only offer limited check-in timeframes (e.g. 2 pm – 7 pm).
If you arrive later, it’s possible that you will be charged a surcharge.
On Booking.com, you can find out what the check-in times are under “House Rules.” If no times are stated, we highly recommend reaching out to the accommodation in advance.
Most accommodations can accommodate late arrival times, if given sufficient notice.
Ortisei B&Bs
Top Choice – Casa al Sole is a newly renovated bed and breakfast in the center of Ortisei, only a short walk from the Seceda cableway and the Resciesa funicular. Highlights of staying here include the modern minimal interiors, comfortable bedrooms, warm hospitality, and delicious and plentiful breakfast.
B&B Lavi in Ortisei is a clean and comfortable bed and breakfast managed by a very friendly host. The B&B is situated outside of the town center, though within walking distance (~15 minutes).
Hotel Garni Walter is a traditional alpine guesthouse located on a steep slope near the Alpe di Siusi gondola valley station. Rooms are spotless and comfortable. The only downside is that the WIFI signal is poor. Breakfast is included.
Santa Cristina B&Bs
Garni Le Chalet is a traditional guesthouse in Santa Cristina. Stay here for the cozy atmosphere and affordable room rate. Breakfast is included.
Hotel Garni Ruscel is a great-value bed and breakfast in Santa Cristina. 4 nights minimum stay in high season.
Selva B&Bs
Hotel Garni Morene is a clean and comfortable family-run guesthouse, set in an idyllic location outside the town center of Selva. Stay here for the unbeatable price, mountain views, and hospitality. Breakfast included.
Top Choice – Garni Sunela B&B is an immaculate bed and breakfast with spacious rooms, a spa, bar, parking garage, and a phenomenal breakfast, including fresh eggs from the resident chickens. Check-in is only until 7 pm.
Best Adults-Only Hotels in Val Gardena
La Cort My Dollhouse – Adults Only is perched high above Ortisei and offers 26 stylish rooms, a rooftop spa and pool, and sweeping views of the valley. Given its location, we only recommend staying here if you’re traveling by car.
Chalet Hotel Hartmann is a charming adults-only hotel in Ortisei featuring tastefully furnished alpine interiors, a delicious breakfast buffet, a complimentary afternoon snack, and a spa area (bio-sauna, steam bath and solarium). This is an ideal accommodation for couples. It’s a 20-minute walk to reach the town center.
Family Hotels in Val Gardena
Family Hotel Posta in St. Cristina (7 Night minimum Stay in high season)
Biancaneve Family Hotel in Selva (7 Night minimum Stay in high season) also ski to door
Best Ski Hotels in Val Gardena
Pra Palmer The Green B&B is a 3-star ski-to-door hotel with raving reviews in Ortisei. 3-4 nights minimum stay.
Alpenhotel Rainell is a ski-to-door hotel in Ortisei with direct access to the Alpe di Siusi gondola. Standing above the village, this 4-star hotel enjoys panoramic views of Seceda and Val Gardena. Guests have access to a spa area and outdoor heated pool. 3-5 night minimum stay.
Garni Hotel Bel Vert is a ski-to-door B&B in Selva, located on the Biancavieve Slope, outside the town center. Rooms are beautiful and spacious. There’s even a small spa. 3 nights minimum stay.
Mountain Design Hotel Eden Selva is an alpine hotel with a sleek, contemporary design in Selva, located on the Sella Ronda slopes. Half board available. Guests love the attentive staff, location, and spotless rooms with natural wood. 4 nights minimum stay.
Hotel Freina is a ski-to-door hotel in Selva, located on the Ciampinoi ski slopes (Sella Ronda ski area). This family-run hotel is adored for their warm customer service, excellent organic breakfast, and outstanding on-site restaurant, serving vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Guests have access to a spa with multiple saunas (Finnish, steam, salinair, and infrared), hot tub, and waterbeds. Free garage parking.
Savoy Dolomites Luxury & Spa Hotel is a lovely Tyrolean-style hotel in Selva with an on-site restaurant (half board available), bar, and wellness area. The hotel’s ski room is directly connected to the ski slopes via an elevator.
Hotel Alpenroyal – The Leading Hotels of the World is a 5-star, ski-to-door resort in Selva di Val Gardena with an on-site ski rental shop. Half board available.
More Ski-to-door hotels in Selva: Hotel Plan De Gralba – Feel the Dolomite (3 star), Hotel Jägerheim 3S (3 star), and Hotel Somont (4 star).
Val Gardena Hotel Booking Tips and Things to Know
Minimum Stay
Many Val Gardena hotels have a minimum stay requirement. That means that you can only book certain hotels if you stay a minimum of 2 – 7 nights.
Hotels often change the minimum stay requirement throughout the season. During peak seasons, Val Gardena hotels often increase their minimum stay to 4-7 nights. In summer, the high season is July and August. In winter, the high season is during the Christmas Holidays (December 24 – January 6) and February.
During shoulder seasons, the minimum stay requirement either drops completely, or is lowered significantly.
How will you know what the minimum stay is? If you’re checking hotel availability for a certain time frame on Booking.com, you may see the message “We have no availability on our site for this property between Date X/X/X and Date X/X/X” In that case, the platform usually auto-generates suggested dates for more nights.
The good news is that it’s a very good idea to stay 3-5 nights in Val Gardena. There is plenty to do. When we planned our first trip to the Dolomites, we made the mistake of moving around every 1-2 nights. That’s absolutely not necessary.
Read Best Hikes in Val Gardena to get an overview of what you can do between June and October.
Free Transit in Summer
Val Gardena is one of the best places to stay in the Dolomites if you’re traveling without a car.
Hotel guests are given a Val Gardena Mobil Card, which grants guests free use of all public transit in the South Tyrolean transit network for seven days.
With this transit card, you can travel across Val Gardena and to Alta Badia, Bolzano, Val di Funes, and other destinations in South Tyrol for free.
Note: You will only receive this free transit card if you stay in hotels and accommodations in Val Gardena, which are affiliated with the local tourist association. So, you will not receive this card if you stay in an AirBnB.
Half Board
Many hotels in Val Gardena offer half board. That means that breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate. Drinks are not included.
If you’re not from an Alpine State, the concept of eating in a hotel each night may seem really strange. But, it’s very normal in the Alps and it’s actually amazing.
Hotel restaurants in Val Gardena are fine dining establishments. In most cases, the food served in a hotel restaurant will be far superior than that served in an independent restaurant with no hotel affiliation.
We love half board, because it saves time and energy. If you’re out all day, it’s so nice to come back to your hotel and not have to leave again to go out to dinner. And with that extra time, you can enjoy the hotel wellness facilities longer.
Spa Facilities
In South Tyrol, the use of hotel spa facilities (Wellnessbereich in German) is always included in the room rate. There is no time limit on spa usage. This is the Austrian model.
If you travel to the neighboring Italian provinces of Belluno and/or Trentino, you often have to pay for spa access (though not always).
A typical hotel spa usually consists of a Finnish sauna, steam bath, showers, and relaxation room. Wellness hotels like Hotel Gardena Grödnerhof in Ortisei and Hotel Granbaita Dolomites in Selva will have 4-6 different saunas, multiple pools, and several relaxation areas.
Typically, bathrobes, sauna towels, a spa bag, and slippers are always provided.
Hotel spas are usually only open in the late afternoon and early evening. For example: 3 pm – 7 pm, or 4 pm to 8 pm.
Val Gardena Holiday Seasons
For Skiing
The ski season commences in late December and ends in early April. Locals say that the best time to ski in Val Gardena is in March.
For Hiking
The hiking season starts in early June and runs until late October, depending on snow conditions. Compared to other Dolomites regions, the Val Gardena summer season is very long. Hotels and cableways operate until the end of October/early November.
If you want to experience Val Gardena without the crowds, we recommend visiting in Autumn (mid-September – October).
Learn More: Best Hikes in Val Gardena
When Not to Travel to Val Gardena
We don’t recommend visiting Val Gardena between early/mid-April and mid/late May. Most hotels shut down between the winter and summer seasons.
Also, we don’t recommend visiting Val Gardena between November and mid-December, for the same reason.
Dolomites Trip Planning Essentials
Use our Dolomites Travel Guide and Dolomites blog archive to plan an unforgettable trip to Northern Italy.
When to Visit the Dolomites
Winter Season. For skiing and winter activities, the best time to visit is between mid/late December and March. Read Dolomites in December.
Summer and Fall Seasons. The best time to road trip and hike in the Dolomites is between mid-June and mid-September. If the weather is stable, the hiking season can easily continue until late October. Read Best Time to Visit the Dolomites, Dolomites in September, and Dolomites in October.
Spring Season. Most accommodations in the Dolomites shut down in spring, between the main winter and summer seasons. Spring is too unstable and risky for hiking, due to snow conditions. Learn more: Dolomites in May.
How to Get to the Dolomites
Read How to Get to the Dolomites to find out how to travel to the Dolomites from the closest airports, train stations, and bus terminals.
If you’re traveling without a car, also check out How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car.
Car Rental
The easiest way to travel between hiking destinations in the Italian Dolomites is with your own car. Check out our itineraries for trip inspiration:
We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.
Tip: If you can only drive automatic transmission cars, as opposed to manual transmission cars (stick shift), book your car rental as early as possible.
Best Places to Stay
Figuring out where to stay in the Dolomites is probably the biggest hurdle to planning a trip to the Dolomites. We’ve created three guides to help you decide where to stay:
- Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer: best villages and towns in South Tyrol, Trentino and Belluno
- Best Hotels in the Dolomites: best boutique and luxury hotels in the Dolomites
- Dolomites Accommodation Guide: farm stays, mountain huts, wellness hotels, aparthotels
- Alta Badia Hotels: best hotels in Val Badia
We suggest choosing 2-4 bases for your Dolomites trip and spending 2-4 nights in each base.
- Base 1: Val Gardena
- Base 2: Val di Funes
- Base 3: Alta Badia
- Base 4: Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Base 5: Alta Pusteria
- Base 6: San Martino di Castrozza
What to See & Do
During your trip to the Dolomites, you can go via ferrata climbing, culinary hiking, hut to hut hiking, cycling, paragliding, and so much more. We’ve highlighted our favorite experiences in Best Things to Do in the Dolomites.
Wherever you decide to stay, you’ll be surrounded by glorious mountain scenery and incredible natural landmarks.
In Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites, we’ve outlined the most iconic attractions as well as lesser-known destinations across the Dolomites, including Alpe di Siusi, Val di Funes, Lago di Braies, Prato Piazza, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Sorapis, Lago Federa, Cadini di Misurina, and Baita Segantini
Dolomites Hiking Guides
Hiking in the Dolomites is our passion. Year after year, we love discovering new trails and expanding our knowledge of the area. For day hiking, check out Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites. For trekking, take a look at our guide to Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites and Alta Via 1.
For region-specific hiking trails, check out:
- Best Hikes in Val Gardena
- Best Hikes in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Best Hikes in Alta Badia
- Sexten Dolomites Hiking Guide
Recommended Hiking Guidebook: Day Walks in the Dolomites
