Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa

A Relais & Chateau property in the renowned Val Gardena (an UNESCO World Heritage Site), this wellness-focused hotel is across a short pedestrian bridge from the charming town of Ortisei and a stone’s throw from the cable car that whisks travelers up into the heart of the Alta Badia ski resort.

• The location in the midst of an adventure seeker’s paradise and within easy walking distance of town
• The three-story spa, with a massive indoor pool headed by a grand fireplace
• The kids area, with features like a movie theater, video games and a conveyor belt rock wall that brings out the kid in everyone

Opened in 1923, Gardena Grödnerhof is a family-run property that beckons travelers with its impressive spa program, excellent location in the heart of the Dolomites and plethora of amenities—not to mention its sleek contemporary Alpine design, a departure from more traditional boutique properties in the region. A hotspot for year-round adventures, this is the type of hotel where even if travelers feel out of place walking into the sleek lobby in ski or hiking gear, but they will never be treated as out of place.

With 58 rooms and suites, Gardena Grödnerhof is larger than many nearby properties.  Still, rooms maintain a bit of that cozy Alpine charm, with cabinets and walls of fir, larch or pine wood paired with crushed velvet seating and marble bathrooms. Beginning with the Superior Rooms, the second-lowest room category, all rooms come with a small living area and a generous amount of space. Guests have the option between village side and garden side rooms, with the village side often offering better views and the garden side offering slightly more space. Twenty of the rooms have connecting options, a good choice for families.

The common spaces and the amenities are the real treat at this property. The design is decidedly contemporary but with distinct alpine touches, such as an antler chandelier. A cozy but upscale bar and lounge area lies just past the lobby and is a popular spot for pre- or post-dinner drinks. To the left of the bar, guests will find a sleek glass and wood foosball and pool table as well as a classic cigar lounge, done up with rich polished wood floors and walls and deep brown leather seating. Families will love the kids area, a two story wonderland decked out for kids of all ages. The top floor (which is also the entry floor) is for younger kids (older than three) where parents can either play with the kids themselves or hire a private nanny for 20 to 25 euros an hour. The bottom floor is the preteen to young adult area, complete with foosball, a moving rock wall, video games and more. (It is not uncommon to see adults enjoying this area just as much as their kids).

The star of the show is the nearly-20,000-square-foot spa, with a large indoor pool, outdoor whirlpool, steam baths, relaxation rooms with waterbeds and infrared chairs and six saunas (including two that are women only). Plus, there is a spacious fitness center and options for yoga and water gymnastics. Future renovations will add an outdoor pool to the spa area.

There are two restaurants on property. The Gardena Restaurant combines buffet salad, cheese and dessert offerings with three tasting menu options that range from Alpine to Mediterranean. From seven to nine each evening, guests of the hotel can be guaranteed a table here without reservation. This is also the space where breakfast is served each morning. Anna Stuben is the Michelin-starred restaurant headed by chef Reimund Brunner, which serves a range of tasting menus in an effortlessly charming setting of whimsically carved wooden walls and white tablecloths.

Families and any travelers seeking all the amenities and a wellness focus combined with the adventure-rich location—plus, easy access to town