Hotel de la Poste Cortina

Rooms and decor

Hotel de la Poste Cortina is the legendary address in Cortina d'Ampezzo, open since 1804 — more than 220 years of hosting royalty, film stars and famous writers, including Ernest Hemingway, who stayed here and wrote about it in his fiction. It scores 8.6/10 on Agoda. The rooms are done in classic Italian style — pine-wood ceilings, antique furniture and old paintings of the town and the Dolomites. Superior rooms on the Tofana side have a wooden balcony looking up at the peaks. Reviewers say it feels like staying inside Cortina's history — but they also warn that some rooms haven't been refreshed yet, so ask for one of the recently updated ones.

Food and amenities

The main restaurant, De la Poste, has been running about as long as the hotel itself and was a meeting point for Italy's upper crust and travelers from all over. It serves classic Italian dishes like Risotto al Tartufo (truffle risotto) and Bistecca Fiorentina, plus local Ladin food. The hotel bar is a legend in its own right, pouring Bellini and Negroni from the original recipes. What you won't find here is a big wellness setup — there's a small spa but no indoor or outdoor pool, so for that you'd look to Cristallo or Faloria.

Location and getting there

The hotel sits right on Corso Italia in the heart of Cortina d'Ampezzo — the best spot in town for walking to the shops and restaurants. It's a 5-minute walk to the Faloria cable car station and about 10 minutes to Basilica Minore. The nearest airport is Venice Marco Polo, 160 km away, roughly a 2-hour drive.

Things to know before booking

This is a historic building, not a modern resort, so a few things come with that. There's no large spa or indoor pool like the 5-stars have. It's an older building, and some rooms haven't been refurbished — ask for an updated one. And parking is limited, so reserve a space ahead of time.

Our take

Hotel de la Poste suits travelers who love history and a genuinely classic atmosphere, couples who want to be in the centre of town with shops and dining on foot, and anyone after a taste of old-school Cortina from before the modern-hotel era. At a starting rate of around $214, it's the best-located 4-star in this roundup.