Dazzlingly beautiful, the jagged peaks of the Italian Dolomites are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whether seeking a cool-weather, autumn adventure or an epic winter-ski getaway, these five-star mountain havens — ADLER Lodge RITTEN in South Tyrol and ADLER Spa Resort DOLOMITI in the village of Ortisei — offer a simply idyllic retreat. Luxurious and family run, both showcase the Dolomites’ spectacular scenery, cuisine, and hospitality, all while delivering easy access to the region’s best outdoor adventures. Both also feature modern spas built in harmony with nature inviting guests to unwind with a sauna, steam, and soak amid calming forest and mountain vistas. And despite feeling far from big-city crowds, both properties are accessible via the Milan-Bergamo airport. Rent a car and experience a few nights at each resort. Alternatively, take a train from Milan to Bolzano and arrive at either lodge by private taxi or public train.
ADLER Lodge RITTEN: Mountain-View Resort in the Heart of South Tyrol
Atop a high plateau with views of verdant valleys and snowy mountain peaks, Adler Lodge RITTEN is an isolated, five-star, wood-and-glass haven; its aesthetic channels the natural setting. The wood-beam-laden design gives a mountain chalet feel, while endless windows and outdoor decks offer panoramic vistas from every angle. Stay in one of 40 junior suites, junior chalets, chalets, and panorama suites, all equipped with luxe furnishings, personal sauna and steam room. Just beyond the lodge, a small trolley-style train transports guests from the relative solitude to charming nearby towns.
Enjoy Unlimited Cuisine & Cocktails

The hotel’s all-inclusive rates grant free reign on its lavish cuisine. Local juices are available around the clock, as is a wide selection of wine. Mornings begin with a breakfast buffet featuring fresh pastries and farm specialties; a casual lunch and dessert are served buffet style in the main floor lounge, featuring gourmet hot and cold dishes and South Tyrolean cuisine. A five-course feast is served every evening in the upstairs open-kitchen restaurant, focusing on local, seasonal ingredients. Enjoy samples of regional cuisines, like housemade dumplings cooked outdoors on the terrace. End evenings with a nightcap at the hotel bar, where the bartender can whip up anything from incredible old fashioneds to espresso martinis.
Partake in Wellness Central

Grab a robe and slippers from your suite and unwind at the lodge’s legendary wellness facilities, located within the resort and the surrounding forest. Stretch out on a lounger in the pool’s relaxation room, then swim through a sliding door to Dolomite peak vistas from the saltwater pool’s infinity edge. Pair swimming with a massage, facial, or unique South Tyrolean hay-bath ritual. Continue to explore by following a winding, woodland path from the lodge to discover saunas and steam rooms perched high in trees. Cool off between sauna sessions with a plunge in the adjacent pool nestled among pines. Sign up for daily guided group-sauna sessions to experience South Tyrol’s authentic spa culture. Awaken early for morning stretch sessions in the zen-like, forest-surrounded relaxation room.
Experience Alpine Adventures

Take advantage, too, of the complimentary, guided outdoor adventures and gear rentals. Check out hiking poles and a backpack, then stroll the wooded trails surrounding the property or take a longer jaunt to the earth pyramids. Hike through forests and charming, quiet neighborhoods to reach these bizarre natural formations. Formed by deposited clay over time, they’re Europe’s tallest and most perfectly shaped. Shorten the return hike by using one of the hotel’s RittenCards to travel on South Tyrol’s small public transport train, which drops guests off at the lodge.
ADLER Spa Resort DOLOMITI: Mountain Resort in the Village of Ortisei
Rejoin civilization by traveling to South Tyrol’s Ortisei to discover the ADLER Spa Resort DOLOMITI, a 108-room hotel built amid Tyrolean homes and boutique shops in a 200-year-old building. This family-run resort is located in an area known for its German, Italian, and Ladin-speaking heritage and is just a two-minute walk from the Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi Gondola and the ski resort’s mighty peaks. Stay in one of its chic suites and rooms with mountain modern designs, and easily access all of the resort’s amenities.
Taste Fresh, Local Cuisine
This lodge focuses on classic Italian dishes, South Tyrolean specialties, and seasonal mountain cuisine. Dining here is considered half board, not all inclusive, with a breakfast buffet and dinner included, but alcohol and lunch billed as extras. Mornings start with a generous European-style spread of cheese, cold cuts, fresh pastries, fruit, made-to-order eggs, and other hearty dishes. Spend the day adventuring, then return for the ever-popular cake hour in the afternoon. Guests come in droves to the lobby bar for this daily event, where platter after platter of fresh cake appears. Dinner is a more formal affair, with a multi-course menu showcasing South Tyrolean entrees and elegant European classics. Bonus: Don’t miss the lodge’s wine-tasting experiences in an underground wine cellar tucked behind the restaurant.
Unwind in a Serene Sanctuary

This Italian hideaway focuses extensively on wellness and relaxation. Its beautiful spa makes what’s old new again by combining the historic hotel and pools with new lakeside sauna facilities. Go for a swim in the indoor-outdoor pool with panoramic mountain views, then discover new saunas built on a dock in the center of a lake, connected to land by a boardwalk. The visually stunning building, constructed with wood from local forests, has large windows that bring the outdoors in.
Experience the soothing Finnish sauna, bio-sauna, Turkish bath, hot tub, and an outdoor cold plunge pool, then rest or read in the relaxation room filled with cozy lounge chairs with Mount Sassolungo vistas. Guests also receive access to a dark, multi-story, indoor spa complex with a unique hay sauna, salt grotto, whirlpool tubs, and women’s relaxation area. A new spa reception area welcomes those looking to add on massages, facials, or cryotherapy.
Participate in Mountain Recreation

Ortisei’s mountain-surrounded location makes it a mecca for alpine adventurers. Guests love participating in the resort’s guided hikes, bike tours, and ski excursions or borrowing e-bikes or hiking poles (and a map) while exploring the rocky terrain independently. In winter, ADLER offers a complimentary shuttle to the ski lifts plus guided snowshoeing, hiking, biking, and fitness classes. The nearby gondola and cable car offer easy access to multiple ski areas, some in neighboring countries.
Featured image courtesy of ADLER Spa Resorts & Lodges