A five-star Ladin house in Corvara, pairing individually styled rooms and destination dining with wellness and easy access to Alta Badia’s slopes and the Sellaronda.
Hotel La Perla in Corvara is one of the most loved family-run luxury hotels in the Dolomites, standing in the Ladin village beneath the towering walls of the Sassongher in Alta Badia. La Perla began when Ernesto Costa, a ski instructor and plumber, built a six-room house here. Today it is a five-star hotel run by his sons, Michil, Mathias and Maximilian, and it is famous for its warmth, its Michelin-starred restaurant, an extraordinary wine cellar and a quirky, joyful spirit that makes guests feel part of the family.
Location: Corvara, Dolomites, Italy
Corvara lies at around 1,570 metres in Alta Badia, a high valley in the heart of the Dolomites in South Tyrol. This is Ladin country, home to one of Europe's oldest minority languages and cultures, with its own traditions, cuisine and architecture. The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rise in pale limestone towers on every side.
The hotel is in a quiet corner of the village, close to the lifts. Corvara is part of the vast Dolomiti Superski area and sits right on the Sellaronda, the famous ski circuit around the Sella massif. Venice, Verona, Innsbruck and Bolzano airports are all within a few hours by road. The hotel is open in winter and summer, closing between seasons.
Rooms and suites at Hotel La Perla
The hotel has around 50 rooms and suites, ranging from charming Comfort rooms to more spacious, romantic Romantik rooms and suites. Interiors are classic Ladin and Tyrolean, with warm wood panelling, painted and carved furniture, rich fabrics and plenty of personal touches. The style is cosy and traditional rather than minimalist, and every room feels lovingly cared for.
The family's history is part of the experience. Next to the hotel stands La ćiasa vedla, the old house and birthplace of Ernesto Costa, which dates back to the fifteenth century.
Facilities at Hotel La Perla
Food and wine are central to La Perla. La Stüa de Michil, a small wood-panelled dining room, holds a Michelin star and combines Ladin tradition with creative cooking. The hotel's philosophy is organic, local and seasonal, and there is also a relaxed bistro by the bar and L'Murin, a lively spot for après-ski, where guests and locals mingle.
The Mahatma wine cellar is legendary. It holds around 30,000 bottles and 3,000 labels from across Europe, arranged in a labyrinth of themed caves with music and voice-overs, including a "temple" dedicated to the Tuscan wine Sassicaia. A visit is a must, even for those who are not wine lovers. Guests can also visit Ernesto Costa's private motorcycle collection.
The spa, Salus Per Aquam, was completely rebuilt for the 2024 winter season. It combines artisan craftsmanship with modern wellness, with an indoor pool, saunas, steam rooms, relaxation areas and holistic treatments using natural and local ingredients. The family is also committed to sustainability and social responsibility, following the principles of the Economy for the Common Good, and supports development projects through the Costa Family Foundation.
The mountain moment
The defining experience in Corvara is the Sellaronda, a circuit of around 40 kilometres of linked pistes and lifts that circles the vast Sella massif, passing through four Ladin valleys and four mountain passes. Skiing it in a day, with the Dolomites' great rock walls towering above, is one of the most spectacular experiences in European skiing. Corvara is a perfect starting point.
Another magical moment comes at sunset, when the pale peaks around Alta Badia glow pink and red in the phenomenon known as enrosadira. In summer, the same mountains offer world-class hiking, via ferratas and cycling, including the famous Maratona dles Dolomites road race.
Why Hotel La Perla is one of the best mountain hotels
La Perla earns its place because it combines exceptional hospitality, outstanding food and wine, and a deep sense of place, in one of the most beautiful mountain regions on Earth. It is a family hotel in the truest sense, warm, personal and full of character, with an eccentric, generous spirit you will not find in a chain hotel.
It suits couples, families, skiers and food and wine lovers who want to experience the Dolomites with people who truly belong there. Many guests return year after year, and it is easy to see why.
When to go to Hotel La Perla
La Perla opens for winter and summer, closing between seasons. The ski season in Alta Badia usually runs from early December to early April, and December brings the Alta Badia World Cup race weekend, so book early if your dates overlap. January often has the quietest pistes, while March offers sunshine and long lunches in the mountain huts. Summer, from around June to September, is superb for hiking, via ferratas and cycling, and early July brings the Maratona dles Dolomites road race. September is a lovely, quieter month with settled weather.
Questions, answered
- Does Hotel La Perla have a Michelin star?
- Yes. La Stüa de Michil, the hotel's small wood-panelled dining room, holds a Michelin star.
- Is Corvara on the Sellaronda?
- Yes. Corvara sits right on the Sellaronda, the ski circuit of around 40 kilometres around the Sella massif, within the Dolomiti Superski area.
- Is Hotel La Perla open all year?
- No. It is open in winter and summer and closes between seasons.
