STAY > Hotel Garni August, Ortisei, Italy (15/20)

There’s a quiet kind of magic in the early morning at Hotel Garni August. The peaks of the Dolomites glow pink above Ortisei, and from your balcony, the valley feels close enough to touch. Garni August is not a grand hotel, nor does it try to be. Instead, it offers a kind of understated warmth and authenticity that’s increasingly rare in the Alps—a place where the day’s first coffee is poured with a smile and the mountains are always just outside your window.

And in 2026 it is getting rebuilt from the ground up. They are knocking down the current hotel and making a bigger and better hotel in the same location. So a brand new larger hotel, run by the same family and in the same wonderful location.

AMBIENCE & LOCATION >

Set on the edge of Ortisei, Garni August sits in a peaceful pocket above the bustle, surrounded by meadows in summer and ski slopes in winter. It’s a ten-minute stroll down to the pedestrian centre, but the real draw is the hotel’s ski-to-door access: step outside and you’re on the slopes, with the Seiser Alm and Seceda lifts within easy reach. You ski down to the T bar tow which allows you to ski over to the gondala which will take you up to Seiser Alm. To get over to Seceda and Val Gardena you can ski down to the bottom and then walk through the middle of town and the lifts that take you up the other side of the hill

The views from the rooms—especially those facing town—are worth requesting, with balconies that catch the last light on the Sassolungo massif.

The hotel (as it is in 2025 before the rebuild) is a classic South Tyrolean guesthouse, recently renovated but still charmingly unfussy: pale timber, crisp linens, and just enough alpine kitsch to remind you where you are. The garden is a suntrap in spring, and in winter, the snow piles up at the doorstep.

ROOMS >

Rooms at Garni August (again prior to the rebuild) are simple and comfortable, thoughtfully designed, with parquet floors, walk-in showers, and plenty of storage for ski gear. Options range from compact singles to family suites with bunk beds and sofa beds, making it a good fit for solo travellers, couples, or small families. The beds are comfortable, the heating is reliable, and the private balconies are a highlight—perfect for a post-ski aperitivo or a quiet read in the afternoon sun.

DINING >

It is a bed and breakfast, so that is the only meal served. Breakfast is a relaxed affair, served buffet-style in the traditional breakfast room or, on warmer days, out in the garden. Expect a spread of local breads, cheeses, cured meats, and homemade cakes, alongside Italian coffee and fresh fruit. Owners mentioned that the breakfast spread will be more extensive post the rennovation.

For dinner, you’re spoilt for choice: Ortisei’s best restaurants are a short walk or shuttle ride away, from the Michelin-starred Anna Stuben to rustic pizzerias and Ladin taverns.

EAT > Anna Stuben, Ortisei Italy (18/20)

EAT > Ristorante Sotriffer & Wine Bar, Ortisei Italy (16/20)

FACILITIES & SERVICE >

Garni August is designed for active travellers. There’s a ski room, boot dryers, and a free shuttle to the lifts if you don’t fancy the walk. In summer, bikes are available and hiking trails start from the door. Guests enjoy free access to Mar Dolomit, Ortisei’s excellent public pool and sauna complex, just a few minutes away. The children’s playground and sun terrace make it family-friendly, and the staff—often the Insam family themselves—are genuinely welcoming, happy to offer tips on ski routes or hiking trails.

Wi-Fi is fast and free, parking is available, and the hotel is smoke-free and pet-free for those with allergies. Check-in is from 3pm, check-out by 10am.

CONCLUSION >

Garni August is the kind of place you remember for its sincerity rather than its flash. It’s not about luxury, but about comfort, value, and a sense of belonging—whether you’re here for the powder days of January or the wildflower meadows of June. For skiers, the location is unbeatable; for everyone else, the views and the warmth of the welcome make it a quietly special base in Ortisei.

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Image Credit | Hotel Garni August & Almanank

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