Hotel de LEN in Cortina d'Ampezzo: A Dog-Friendly Destination in the Dolomites
/Cortina d’Ampezzo is synonymous with everything that is chic about skiing in the Italian Dolomites. As the host of the 1956 Winter Olympics, the village of Cortina has upheld a longstanding legacy as a top ski destination for excitement, excellence, and elegance. And with the upcoming 2026 Winter Games on the horizon, the energy is at an all-time high.
Hotel de LEN embodies Cortina’s chic simplicity and balances the region’s energy by welcoming guests into a beautifully-designed and recently-renovated space that focuses on well-being and connectedness to the landscape of the Dolomites. Meaning “of wood”, de LEN’s thoughtful construction centers around natural materials that were sourced locally and sustainably. As an avid skier, visiting Cortina d’Ampezzo had long been on my bucket list, and staying at a beautiful and welcoming hotel ideally located in the center of town is something I’ll never forget.
Continue reading to learn more about my experience staying at Hotel de LEN in Cortina d’Ampezzo ahead of the Winter Olympics, and discover my favorite amenities, features, and recommendations for exploring its surroundings.
A Peaceful Retreat in the Italian Dolomites at Hotel de LEN
While all of Italy is buzzing with excitement for the upcoming games, Hotel de LEN in Cortina d’Ampezzo maintains a peaceful atmosphere in the center of the action. The recently renovated property was designed with well-being at top-of-mind, through sourcing local materials and creating spaces that balance energies and inspire calm.
Visitors of Hotel de LEN in Cortina can benefit from the best of both worlds: easy access to thrilling, world-class ski slopes, and the calming retreat found within the property’s wooden sanctuary. And with five room types and the capacity to privatize entire floors or wings of a floor to create apartment-style accommodations, there’s truly something for every type of traveler at Hotel de LEN.
The covered outdoor jacuzzi is one of many highlights at The Spa at Hotel de LEN in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The Spa at Hotel de Len, Cortina d’Ampezzo
If Cortina is considered the “Pearl of the Dolomites”, I vote to consider The Spa at Hotel de LEN the “Pearl of Cortina”.
The spa’s main relaxation room and the covered outdoor jacuzzi offer the most impressive views of the mountains surrounding Cortina, and each treatment room offers a different sensory or healing experience to inspire wellbeing. The attending spa host recommended we flow between the steam, sauna, hot and cold emotional showers, and jacuzzi in a specific order that was personalized for our needs, so be sure to consult with the host if you prefer your experience in the spa facilities to be relaxing or invigorating.
An extensive menu of signature massage and facial treatments are offered in The Spa at Hotel de LEN, including a unique experience for couples: The 5 Senses Spa by Night. Couples who choose this experience will be welcomed in the privatized spa after-hours for a series of treatments followed by a private dinner with champagne.
Hotel guests and visitors are required to make reservations to visit the spa to ensure that everyone can have a peaceful and relaxing experience. For more information about visiting the spa at Hotel de LEN and applicable rates, visit their website here.
Hotel de LEN in Cortina D’Ampezzo is very dog friendly. Upon arrival we were welcomed by food and water bowls, Dog food, and a comfy cushion.
Dog-Friendly Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italian Dolomites
In all of my travels, I’ve realized that nothing makes a hotel feel more welcoming than when I can bring my dog along for the adventure. She especially loves cold weather and snowy destinations (just like me!), so a visit to the Dolomites was the perfect place to kick off our winter travels ahead of the ski season.
Hotel de LEN in Cortina d’Ampezzo is a dog-friendly property in the Dolomites, and the staff went above-and-beyond to make my dog feel right at home as soon as we arrived and throughout our stay. Upon entering our room, we were welcomed with a plush bed, food and water bowls, and a perfectly portioned jar of dog food.
The grand salon at Hotel de LEN offers a comfortable place to relax, socialize, and take in views of the Dolomites surrounding Cortina.
The ski season in Cortina d’Ampezzo usually opens in early december, and Hotel de Len is a wonderful place to visit around the holidays.
Dolomiti Superski: Skiing in Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Sellaronda Ski Circuit
The spacious and secure ski room of Hotel de LEN is the perfect place to kick-off your adventures on the slopes. Upon arrival to Hotel de LEN, you can conveniently visit their partner rental shop (details below) to get all of your ski equipment sorted for your stay. Choose from their selection of top-of-the-line skis, boots, and helmets, for your safety, comfort, and ability.
Carina Otero Skiing the Sellaronda Ski Circuit, connecting four ski stations within Dolomiti Superski.
The ski areas in Cortina are located at higher altitudes so accommodations in the village, including Hotel de LEN, are not ski-in/out. Instead, hotels and accommodations in the village can be located close to the main gondolas, or can offer a shuttle. Hotel de LEN offers a shuttle to the Tofana and Faloria gondolas in Cortina, and pick-ups can be easily coordinated via WhatsApp with the hotel’s concierge. The Tofana ski area is the larger of the two, and offers a variety of terrain for everyone from beginner to advanced to expert. The Faloria ski area is terrain better suited for more advanced skiers, and offers mostly red and black pistes with exceptional views across the Dolomites.
Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass Holders are able to ski up to 7 or 5 days, respectively, at any of Dolomiti Superski’s twelve ski domains which include Cortina d’Ampezzo. The ski areas of Cortina and Alta Badia are connected by multiple pistes and the Cortina Skyline Cable Car, but we opted to drive about one hour from Cortina to Alta Badia one day to ski the Sellaronda Ski Circuit, a legendary loop circuit that takes intermediate skiers through four of Dolomiti Superski’s domains: Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, and Arabba in a single day. Many will recommend allowing yourself and your group at least six hours to complete the circuit, but we finished the loop in less than four hours, including a stop for lunch, as we happened to go on a day in mid-December without crowds.
Stay at Hotel de LEN for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Having just attended a number of events at the Summer 2024 Olympics in Paris, I know that the earlier you start planning, the better. Travel for Winter Olympics is notoriously trickier to plan compared to the Summer Olympics simply due to ski towns being smaller and having fewer options for accommodations– so I suggest contacting your SmartFlyer travel advisor as soon as possible to organize your trip. Attending the Olympics is an unforgettable experience, and combining winter sports events with the warm hospitality and impressive landscapes of northern Italy is sure to be a winning combination.
Contact Hotel de LEN in Cortina d’Ampezzo or your SmartFlyer travel advisor directly to stay up to date with changes in availability and booking opportunities for the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Accommodation booking windows may be opened or closed according to a schedule set by Olympics organizers, so having a SmartFlyer travel advisor on your side can simplify your planning.
The events that will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics are:
Alpine Skiing
Bobsleigh
Curling
Luge
Skeleton
Para Alpine Skiing
Para Snowboard
Wheelchair Curling
The Paralympic Closing Ceremony
For more information and details for Winter Olympics events, visit the official website here: https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/.
The Restaurant at Hotel de LEN specializes in local dishes– the experience is elevated with exceptional ingredients and preparation, while the warmth and friendliness of the staff make you feel like you’re amongst family.
Shopping and Dining in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo is a destination in-and-of-itself for legendary shopping for winter apparel and accessories– choices are vast with boutiques ranging from independent shops, sports outfitters, and designer boutiques lining the town’s main street. While I only stayed a short while in Cortina, I visited a few boutiques that were particularly impressive:
Due & Due Cortina - Located just beside Hotel de LEN, 2ue & 2ue is Cortina’s top ski outfitter offering the latest in gear, equipment, and technical apparel. Located just across the street is the 2ue & 2ue rental shop, which has a partnership with Hotel de LEN.
Cooperativa - Founded in 1893, Cooperativa is an institution located in the center of Cortina. The department store and general store seems to offer just about everything, but the most memorable was their chic selection of Cortina-branded souvenirs and locally-sourced goods.
Stock House - Managed by Cooperativa, the Stock House is a separate shop that had an impressive selection of new and current designer ski apparel at outlet prices. Plan on leaving some extra room in your suitcase when packing for Cortina so you can easily bring home your purchases from Stock House!
Colmar - Shopping Italian while in Italy is a must, and a trip to the Italian Alps or Dolomites isn’t complete without a visit to Colmar. The luxury skiwear brand specializes in stylish yet technical apparel, a perfect souvenir that will also have you looking chic on the slopes.
The Restaurant at Hotel de LEN - There is no doubt that Italy is known for its cuisine that celebrates simplicity and high quality ingredients, but there’s something especially comforting about the local dishes and classic recipes of Italy’s mountain regions, many of which I wasn’t familiar with prior to my visit to Hotel de LEN’s restaurant. The welcoming restaurant serves hotel guests as well as à la carte visitors all day, and specializes in providing a dining experience that feels like a warm hug. I wasn’t surprised to hear that a delicious, type of sweet ampezzana focaccia that I tried one morning at breakfast, la brazorà, translates to exactly that– a hug.
For visitors interested in learning more about how the region’s specialities are made, cooking classes can be arranged at Hotel de LEN along with other unique experiences.
The Bar at Hotel de LEN - The inviting atmosphere of Hotel de LEN’s hidden bar is a lovely place to unwind after an eventful day of skiing, shopping, and dining in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Stop by or make an evening out of it, and discover an impressive selection of wines and inventive cocktails.
The relaxation room at The Spa at Hotel de LEN in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Getting to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
While Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy is now commonly associated with Milan due to the upcoming Olympics, the closest international airport that serves the mountain town is actually Venice. I opted to spend a night in Venice before renting a car and driving two hours north to Cortina, and it was the perfect kick-off to a memorable trip. I would recommend adding at least a night in Venice before or after your ski holiday in Cortina– the crowds are considerably fewer in the winter than in the summer, and the floating city is certainly magical year-round.
Ask your SmartFlyer travel advisor about planning your trip to Hotel de LEN in Cortina d’Ampezzo and the surrounding Italian Dolomites. If you don’t already have a SmartFlyer travel advisor, reach out to me directly at carina@sheisnotlost.com and I can put you in touch!
Are you planning a trip to Cortina d’Ampezzo and wondering if Hotel de LEN is a great choice for you? If you have any questions about my personal experience visiting and skiing in the Italian Dolomites, let me know in the comments below!
About the author
Meet Carina Otero, avid skier and the creator of She is Not Lost, an online community for celebrating female travelers and a blog providing helpful tips, useful information, and inspiration for your future travels. Carina’s passion for skiing and love of writing and photography have inspired a new blog to share her experiences and personal favorites relating to the sport:
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