Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites

Hotel de la Poste is Cortina's most famous historic hotel, set right on the Corso Italia, the glamorous pedestrian street at the heart of town. Once the post office and coaching inn, it has been run by a local family for generations and has welcomed skiers, film stars and writers, including Ernest Hemingway, who returned several times; one room is now dedicated to him. Its sunny terrace is one of the best places in Cortina to watch the world go by.

Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites

The hotel is on Piazza Roma, on the Corso Italia, in the centre of Cortina, with the slopes less than five minutes' walk away and the ski bus nearby.

Cortina has two classic ski areas, the Tofane, where the Olympic women's alpine races were held in 2026 and 1956, and Faloria-Cristallo, reached by cable car from the edge of the town centre, while the Cinque Torri and Lagazuoi areas are perfect for scenic skiing and long lunches at mountain huts. The Cinque Torri also hold an open-air museum of First World War trenches, and from Lagazuoi skiers can take the famous Hidden Valley run. Off the slopes, the Corso Italia is lined with boutiques, cafés and historic hotels, and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Lake Misurina are a short drive away.

Cortina d'Ampezzo is the queen of the Dolomites: an elegant, car-light town on a sunny bowl surrounded by some of the most dramatic peaks in the Alps, from the Tofane to the Cinque Torri and Monte Cristallo. Co-host of the 2026 Winter Olympics, as it was in 1956, it is part of the vast Dolomiti Superski network and famous for its glamorous Corso Italia, its après-ski and its mountain huts. Venice and Treviso airports are around two hours by road.

Rooms at Hotel de la Poste

Rooms range from singles and doubles to triples, connecting family rooms and suites, some with a jacuzzi, balcony or panoramic terrace. The style varies from classic Alpine wood to more modern decor. The Hemingway room, decorated with his books and a typewriter, is a favourite with literary travellers.

The atmosphere throughout is warm and personal, with many staff who have worked at the hotel for years and guests who return season after season. Its central position means everything Cortina has to offer, from boutiques to bars and restaurants, is on the doorstep.

Facilities at Hotel de la Poste

The Bar Grill serves local dishes and cocktails, and Il Posticino offers à la carte dining with a sunny panoramic terrace, one of Cortina's classic meeting places. There is no pool or spa on site, but guests can use nearby facilities with an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath. Ski storage, concierge and parking are available.

The hotel can arrange ski passes, lessons, equipment rental and transfers, and the concierge's local knowledge is invaluable for booking tables at Cortina's mountain huts and restaurants. In summer, the hotel is a base for hiking, climbing, cycling and trips to Lake Misurina and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

The mountain moment

The de la Poste moment is late afternoon on the terrace, after a day on the slopes. The sun lingers on the peaks, the Corso fills with people in fur and ski jackets, and a glass of prosecco tastes even better when you know Hemingway sat here too.

Another unforgettable Cortina experience is the Freccia nel Cielo, the 'arrow in the sky' cable car, which climbs in stages from the edge of town towards the summit of the Tofana di Mezzo, at over 3,200 metres. From the top, the view takes in ridge after ridge of the Dolomites, and on clear days stretches as far as the glaciers of Austria. Back in town, an evening passeggiata along the Corso Italia, as the lights come on and the peaks glow pink, is a Cortina ritual.

Why Hotel de la Poste is one of the best mountain hotels

Hotel de la Poste earns its place for history, warmth and location. It is the heart of Cortina in every sense, family-run, characterful and a few minutes from the lifts. It has no spa or pool, and rooms vary in style. But for anyone who wants to feel part of Cortina's story, it is the classic choice.

For contemporary design and a rooftop spa, see Hotel de len.

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When to go to Hotel de la Poste

The ski season usually runs from early December to early April. Christmas, New Year and February are the busiest and most glamorous weeks. In summer, Cortina is a base for hiking, climbing and the Dolomite passes.

January and February offer the most reliable snow and crisp, sunny days, while March is ideal for long lunches on mountain terraces. Christmas, New Year and the February holidays are the busiest weeks, when the Corso Italia is at its liveliest. Summer, from late June to September, is wonderful for hiking, and late September brings golden larches and quieter trails.