HOTEL de LEN: Best Luxury Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy (original) (raw)

HOTEL de LEN is an impeccably-run, 4-star luxury hotel in the town center of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Italian Dolomites. With its wood-paneled facade and sustainable concept, this new hotel is a splash of lively color on Cortina’s hospitality scene.

HOTEL de LEN, formerly Hotel Impero, opened its doors in 2022 after major renovations executed by a team of local artisans, carpenters, and builders.

The result is a stunning hotel – both elegant and rustic – which pays tribute to the Ampezzo region and the hotel’s natural surroundings.

The hotel philosophy is rooted in ethical construction and sustainable design. HOTEL de LEN means “Hotel of Wood” in Ladin. As the name implies, the primary building material of the hotel is wood, which produces lower carbon emissions and requires less electricity than other construction materials. Also, much of the wood used in the renovation was reclaimed.

HOTEL de LEN is a gorgeous accommodation with thoughtfully-designed, art-filled spaces (lounge, cocktail bar, restaurant, and wellness area) as well as tastefully-furnished, air-conditioned bedrooms.

Beyond the sleek alpine aesthetics, we were wowed by the passionate and accommodating team that runs this fine hotel.

Keep reading to learn more about what makes HOTEL de LEN one of the best hotels in the Dolomites.

Hotel de Len, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

The Location

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

Cortina d’Ampezzo is located in Ampezzo Valley in the Italian Alps. The town is ringed by the spectacular Tofane Group, Sorapiss Group, Cristallo Group, and Croda da Lago chain.

Cortina is a world-famous ski resort. The winter season commences in mid/late December and ends in late March/early April.

This Dolomites town is also a hotspot for hiking and via ferrata climbing in summer and fall (mid/late June to mid/late October).

Nearby attractions include: Lago Federa, Lago di Sorapis, Rifugio Nuvolau and Cinque Torri, Rifugio Lagazuoi, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Tofana di Rozes, Mondeval Plateau, Cadini di Misurina, and Lago delle Baste.

HOTEL de LEN is located on Via Cesare Battisti, directly in the town center, just steps away from the pedestrian zone. The hotel is walking distance to the Cortina d’Ampezzo main bus station and the Faloria Cable Car.

Plan your trip to Cortina with our Cortina d’Ampezzo Travel Guideand Cortina d’Ampezzo Hiking Guide.

The Rooms

Hotel de Len Bedroom, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

The 22 alpine style rooms of HOTEL de LEN are quiet, comfortable, and all paneled with reclaimed stone pine or fir wood. Beds are large and comfy, with premium down comforters and high thread count sheets.

Bathrooms are contemporary in upcycled fir and slate gray, with bespoke toiletries. All the fixtures are trendy and modern.

Soft lighting, simple lines, velvet jewel-tone fabrics, and hardwood floors all contribute to the visual appeal of the rooms.

Each room at HOTEL de LEN boasts air-conditioning, sound insulation, energy-enhancing bed panels, and a filtration system, installed to promote well-being by removing electromagnetic pollution.

We slept remarkably well here.

Wellness & Spa

Hotel de Len Jacuzzi, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

The light-filled HOTEL de LEN rooftop spa overlooks the surrounding mountains and town. It comprises several saunas (Finnish, steam, and bio), an outdoor jacuzzi, a relaxation area, emotional showers, an ice fountain, and a tea bar.

All guests receive one complimentary visit (1 hour) during their stay. Make a reservation for your spa time when you check-in (or in advance).

If you want to revisit the spa, you can book additional visits at a rate of 30 EUR per person for 60 minutes, or 20 EUR per person for 60 minutes between 12 pm and 3 pm. Spa treatments (massages, facials, body scrubs, etc…) are also available.

Bathrobes, slippers, and towels are all provided. It’s required to wear swimming suits in the spa area, including the saunas.

Book your stay at HOTEL de LEN.

Dining at Ristorante De Len

La Cortinese Cortoletta at Hotel de Len, Cortina d'Ampezzo

Bigoli al ragu d'Anatra at Hotel de Len, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomits

Stuffed onion, Hotel de Len restaurant, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

Breakfast

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. An assortment of homemade pastries and breads are laid out immediately.

Additionally, you can order platters of cold cuts, cheese, smoked trout, seasonal vegetables, egg dishes, fruits, cereals, and yogurts, and sweets from the breakfast menu. Tea, espresso drinks, and fresh homemade fruit juices (e.g. Pear-Lemon-Elderflower) are all included as well.

Dinner

Ristorante de Len Dinner, Hotel de Len, Cortina d'Ampezzo

Located on the ground floor, the HOTEL de LEN restaurant looks out onto Via Cesare Battisti street, and thus feels integrated into town life.

Though certainly a fine restaurant, the atmosphere is warm, casual and convivial. The dining staff navigated us through our dining experience with great care and absolutely zero pretension.

The restaurant menu features local flavors and Ampezzo cuisine.

We ate two dinners at HOTEL de LEN. The culinary highlights were the Cipolla Cotta al Sale (stuffed onion cooked under salt), Bigoli al ragu d’Anatra (bigoli pasta with duck ragout), Ravioli casunziei (beetroot ravioli), and La Cortinese Cortoletta (breaded cutlet served on a bed of fresh herbs).

Opening Times | 12 pm – 10 pm

Bar de Len

Bar de Len, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites

Bar de Len occupies a somewhat clandestine location below the dining area. Guests can enjoy cocktails and other beverages from 7:30 pm until 1 pm in this lovely, intimate setting.

Il Salotto Living Room

Il Salotto, Hotel de Len, Cortina d'Ampezzo

Il Salotto common area, Hotel de Len, Cortina d'Ampezzo

Il Salotto living room, Hotel de Len, Cortina d'Ampezzo

The Il Salotto Living Room is a spacious common area on the first floor with soft lighting, plush velvet sofas, and a complimentary Merende snack bar.

The timber walls are adorned with art, including the moving photograph “Schegge di incanto in fondo al dubbio” (2009) by MASBEDO.

Guests have unencumbered access to this relaxation space. Grab some cookies and a beverage (coffee, juice, or water) and lounge here with a book. Books about the region are scattered throughout the space.

Book your stay at HOTEL de LEN.

Service & Staff

The HOTEL de LEN staff is excellent. They care. It feels like each member of the team is invested in your having an exceptional stay.

Final Thoughts

Hotel de Len spa Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

We highly recommend staying at HOTEL de LEN. Everything about our experience was perfect.

This is an especially ideal place to stay if you’re traveling to Cortina d’Ampezzo without a car. You’re walking distance to numerous restaurants, bars, and shops as well as the main Cortina bus station.

One last note.The hotel pricing follows a “pay for what you use” as opposed to an “all-inclusive” model. They don’t want people to pay for something they don’t use (e.g. parking, wellness facilities). That makes sense, but it is contrary to how most hotels in the Dolomites operate.

HOTEL de LEN has a private car park (extra fee), located off-site, about 400 meters away from the hotel (5 minute-walk). Self-parking and valet parking are available.

Booking

Hotel de Len bedroom, Cortina d'Ampezzo

For the best rates, we recommend checking out Booking.com.

If HOTEL de LEN is fully booked, look for accommodation in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

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Dolomites Trip Planning Essentials

Use our Dolomites Travel Guide and Dolomites blog archive to plan an unforgettable trip to northeastern 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.

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.

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.

Check car rental rates here.

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:

We suggest choosing 2-4 bases for your Dolomites trip and spending 2-4 nights in each base.

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, and Seceda.

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:

Recommended Hiking Guidebook: Cicerone Guide: Shorter Walks in the Dolomites

More Dolomites Hotel Reviews

Moon & Honey Travel is an independent blog created by two passionate hikers. We are able to provide free content to you, because of ads and affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Happy travels and happy trails, Sabrina and Kati