The Dolomites will soon take center stage thanks to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, with several new hotels ready to rise to the occasion.
Todd Plummer, Tina KovačičekJanuary 27, 2026
When the famed Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier first visited the Italian Dolomites in 1907, he said, “There are mountains, and then there are the Dolomites,” calling them “the most beautiful architectural work in the world.” These jagged peaks and idyllic alpine valleys, two hours north of Venice, are indeed a source of inspiration, and thanks to their incomparable natural beauty as well as a wave of new development projects, they will serve as an unforgettable backdrop for the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
From February 6 to 22, the Winter Olympic Games will take place, and as if the details surrounding the competitions and the athletes representing countries across the region were not exciting enough, the news that stars of the hit series Heated Rivalry will be taking part has raised the excitement even further. And while we fondly recall the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, those uniforms remain our fashion obsession, we are eagerly browsing all the new hotels opening in anticipation of the 2026 Winter Games.
Related: The Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo and the times that are remembered
Across numerous villages in the region, from Alta Badia to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Corvara, and beyond, the hotel scene is undergoing a revival. Unlike previous Olympic Games, where new hotel openings often felt corporate or somewhat sterile, what is happening in the Dolomites now is defined by a deeply authentic and personal approach. While new international luxury brands such as Aman and Mandarin Oriental are present, the latest openings in this mountain range radiate authenticity. These are family-run properties with long histories, an emphasis on local and sustainable materials, and contemporary design that does not conceal the local character but highlights it.
If you are lucky enough to be traveling to the Dolomites soon, these are the new hotels you should have on your radar, or already marked in your calendar.
Aman’s arrival in the Dolomites is news in itself, as the brand is a global symbol of discreet luxury. But the real story here is that Aman’s Dolomites debut is taking place at Rosa Alpina, the grande dame of the village of San Cassiano, run by the Pizzinini family since 1940. Now completely reimagined as part of the Aman family, the hotel reopens this summer after a multi-year transformation, blending Aman’s serenity with the warmth of three generations of hospitality, under the leadership of Hugo Pizzinini as general manager. Longtime Aman collaborator Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston led the renovation, using wooden facades, local stone, textured plaster, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame mountain views, adapting the Aman aesthetic to the surroundings in a truly striking way. A new Aman Spa, several restaurants including an upcoming Japanese concept, and a private wine library contribute to the hotel’s exceptional atmosphere. One amenity stands out in particular: two private mountain huts owned by the Pizzinini family, which will offer lunches prepared in a wood-fired oven by a private chef. Authentic, personal, and unforgettable.
Photo: Courtesy of Aman Rosa Alpina / Alex Moling
In this area, it is difficult to find a hotel that is not ski-oriented, but Hotel Tofana feels especially optimized for winter sports. Located just outside Cortina d’Ampezzo, it offers unparalleled access to ski slopes and panoramic views of the Ampezzo mountains that frame Cortina and its iconic bell tower like a postcard. The spa center is ideal for recovery after a day on the snow, with two panoramic relaxation rooms, one with infrared beds, two saunas, and a steam bath. The unique “three-quarter board” offering includes breakfast, an afternoon buffet, and a four-course dinner, so you will never go hungry. Rooms and suites are modern, with clean lines, soft faux fur blankets, and spacious seating areas. Best of all, every room has a private balcony with a view, and many overlook the most recognizable mountain formation in the Dolomites, the UNESCO-protected Cinque Torri.
If you want to be at the very heart of the action, look to Ancora Cortina, located on Corso Italia, the town’s main pedestrian street. The complete transformation of this 16th-century palace, which has operated as a hotel since 1826, is the result of its new owner Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel and president of the OTB Group, the fashion house behind brands such as Marni, Jil Sander, Maison Margiela, Viktor & Rolf, and Amiri. To usher in a new glamorous era for Ancora, Rosso enlisted two veterans of the hotel industry: Aldo Melpignano, the hotelier behind the iconic Borgo Egnazia in Puglia, and longtime Soho House creative director Vicky Charles, in her first hotel project since becoming an independent designer. The result is a stunning hotel that is both a restoration and a new vision. Original details such as marble columns, wood paneling, and gilding have been returned to their former glory, contrasted with modern touches like custom-made silk velvet furniture. A spa area with a gym and a Finnish sauna completes the wellness offering. The most charming detail? The tiles by the bathtub bear the inscription ENJOY! XXX, Rosso’s signature email sign-off.
Photo: Courtesy of Ancora Cortina
Located in the heart of the Dolomites, near Cortina d’Ampezzo, Val Gardena, and Arabba, La Müda opened its doors back in December as a highly elegant contemporary reinterpretation of a classic alpine mountain lodge. The hotel offers direct access to ski slopes while also being close to the center of Pedratsches, a beautifully positioned alpine village. A mix of standard rooms and apartments dominates the main hotel building, with mountain views stretching from every window. Nearby are three chalet rooms with private spa areas, reserved exclusively for chalet guests.
Photo: Courtesy of hotel La Müda / Alex Moling
This luxury adults-only hotel, located in the heart of the Italian Dolomites, opened in the summer of 2025 as part of the well-known Casa Cook brand and marks their first mountain retreat in Italy. Rooms are modern and minimalist, featuring natural materials and large windows with mountain views. Guests can choose between Classic and Junior Suite rooms, while chalet rooms offer private spa facilities. No mountain hotel would be complete without a wellness center with a sauna, fitness area, yoga space, and relaxation treatments. The Altitude restaurant serves creative dishes rooted in a Mediterranean approach to food. This is a deeply relaxing 16-plus oasis for rest and enjoyment in the mountains.
Photo: Courtesy odf Casa cook Madonna
Photo: Courtesy of The First Cortina
There are several hotels that may not open exactly in time for the 2026 Olympic Games or may not be entirely new, but they are still well worth considering.
Hotel de Len, for example, opened in 2022 and is still regarded as one of the most desirable places to stay in the wider Cortina area. This design-focused hotel features elegant rooms clad in raw fir and Swiss pine, known for their calming properties that promote sleep and lower heart rate, along with several wellness technologies said to support overall wellbeing. In the summer of 2026, The First Cortina will arrive from the luxury group The Pavilions, known for hotels from Amsterdam and Madrid to Indonesia and Mongolia. With attractive dining options including the sushi restaurant Zuma, planned to open in 2025, and the Monaco-born steakhouse Beefbar, The First is sure to bring a new wave of glamour to this already sophisticated destination. The new boutique hotel Eight, opened in January 2025, offers the most vivid and daring experience of all, with rooms filled with maximalist fabrics and glossy surfaces. Eight Hotels also operates in Venice and Liguria.
Courtesy of Eight Hotel
Perhaps the most exciting of all is the upcoming Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, a complete renovation of a historic hotel that served as a hospital during the Second World War and was long considered the most elegant hotel in the entire Dolomites. The opening is expected in 2026, and the hotel is set to define a new era of luxury in the Dolomites for many years to come.
