By Pascal Languillon, CEO of Luxe Wellness Club.
I’d been dreaming for some time of returning to the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its spectacular scenery. I chose to set down my suitcases in Ortisei, one of the region’s most beautiful villages, to discover the Adler Dolomiti Spa Resort and the Adler Spa Resort Balance. I spent a few days there with my family, and I have to say that the experience surpassed even my expectations. With a huge, renovated spa, unforgettable hikes in the heart of the mountains and a particularly kid-friendly welcome, Adler Dolomiti is the ideal address for combining well-being, nature and quality family time. Here’s the story of our adventure.
Nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of Ortisei in Val Gardena, the Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti is ideally located for those seeking both the charm of a mountain village and direct access to one of Europe’s most beautiful natural playgrounds. From the moment you arrive, the tone is set. The colorful facades, flower-filled balconies and frescoes typical of the region create an authentic Alpine atmosphere. You immediately feel you’re in the middle of a living heritage, yet as soon as you cross the threshold of the hotel, you discover a spacious, modern world.
Adler Dolomiti is set in thousands of square meters of lush parkland, with breathtaking views of the Dolomites rising all around. The architecture is a subtle blend of tradition and innovation. Some parts are reminiscent of the building’s centuries-old history, while recent renovations add a perfectly integrated touch of modernity. Wood, stone, light: everything here is in harmony with the surrounding nature. The view of the mountains from the terraces and bedrooms is a constant attraction.
One of the great pleasures of staying in Ortisei is strolling through its pedestrian streets. The village is truly picturesque, with its traditional houses featuring colorful frescoes and handicraft stores.
I find it rare to find a hotel that combines so many assets in a single location : village charm, surrounding nature, magnificent panoramas and first-rate wellness facilities.
What makes Adler Dolomiti even more attractive is its immediate proximity to the Alpedi Siusi cable car. In just a few minutes, you’re on one of Europe’s largest high-altitude plateaus, surrounded by absolutely spectacular scenery.
I was lucky enough to go hiking there with my daughters, and it was probably one of the highlights of our stay. Alpe di Siusi offers a variety of itineraries accessible to all levels. We hiked trails surrounded by flowery meadows, with the impressive rock faces of the Dolomites as a backdrop.
It’s undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking panoramas you can admire in the mountains. All along the way, welcoming refuges offer the chance to take a gourmet break and savour local specialities. An experience I highly recommend to everyone.
Comfortable rooms
Our room was a spacious, comfortable family suite, perfectly suited to a stay with my wife and two daughters. The materials used, light wood and warm fabrics, recall Alpine elegance while remaining modern.
The living room, bathed in light thanks to large bay windows, opened onto a balcony with a splendid view of the mountains. The bedrooms were equipped with soft beds and good-quality bedding, ensuring a restful night’s sleep after our busy days. The bathroom was modern and functional, with a large shower and several basins. Admittedly, there’ s nothing ostentatious about the decor, and we’re not in the opulence of some ultra-luxury hotels, but comfort and practicality take center stage here, perfectly in keeping with the warm, family spirit of the house.
Adler Dolomiti is also a hotel that welcomes families, without losing its refinement. The kids’ club is a real asset : my two daughters had a wonderful time there. Smiling entertainers, a variety of activities, games, creative workshops… Everything is designed to keep children occupied in an intelligent and fun way. This allowed me to take full advantage of some of the spa’s facilities, knowing that they were in good hands.
A vast, renovated spa, among the finest in Italy
But if Adler Dolomiti attracts so many wellness enthusiasts, it’s above all for its exceptional spa. It’s one of the largest in Italy, and undoubtedly one of the most seductive I’ve discovered lately. More than 3,500 m² are entirely dedicated to relaxation, in an atmosphere that is both elegant and warm. The spa has recently been renovated, and this is reflected in the modernity of the spaces. The lines are clean, the materials noble and the whole exudes serenity.
The experience begins with an immense aquatic universe. Heated indoor and outdoor pools with views of the Dolomites, whirlpools, waterfalls: you move from one area to another with natural fluidity, lulled by the sound of the water and the play of light. Everything is designed to help you let go. Outside, the warm water contrasts with the mountain air, and you can enjoy the beauty of the peaks even in the middle of winter.
Lovers of warmth will be delighted by the extensive sauna and steam room area. Each area has its own identity: a traditional Finnish sauna with an exceptional view, an organic sauna with Alpine herbs, a salt grotto, a hammam scented with natural essences… You can move from one atmosphere to another as you wish, between dry heat and enveloping humidity. Numerous rest rooms then invite you to relax with mountain views. These moments of pause, cradled by silence, are among the most precious of the experience.
The spa also offers an impressive menu of treatments, from massages inspired by Ayurvedic traditions to Adler signature rituals using natural cosmetics. Each protocol is designed to meet specific needs, whether for deep relaxation, muscle regeneration after a hike, or targeted beauty treatments. The quality and variety of services make this a wellness destination in its own right, where you could easily spend several days without ever tiring of it.
Right next door to Adler Dolomiti is Adler Balance, which shares the same spa and grounds but is distinguished by its medical orientation. It’s the ideal address for those wishing to go further in a preventive and integrative approach. Consultations, health check-ups, nutritional programs and personalized follow-up care are offered in an equally refined setting. With particularly reasonable rates compared to the other medi-spas in our collection, Adler Balance is an extremely attractive option for combining luxury, well-being and a medical approach.
These include the great classics of massage and facial care, as well as more original proposals such as Japanese-inspired rituals, Asian energy massages and innovative techniques such as cryotherapy, ideal for promoting muscle recovery and stimulating regeneration. Each protocol is designed to meet specific needs, whether for deep relaxation, getting back into shape after a sporting activity or cell regeneration.
One of the most astonishing installations is the small underground salt lake. Access is gained by descending into a cavity, where you discover a pool whose high salt concentration allows you to float as if on the Dead Sea. The sensation is both playful and deeply relaxing: you let yourself be carried effortlessly by the warm water, and your body relaxes completely. It’s a moment of total disconnection, almost meditative, that provides an unprecedented sense of lightness. Interestingly, a few years later, this concept inspired the creation of the famous Lefay Resort & Spa salt lake on Lake Garda. Adler Dolomiti was a pioneer in this field, and the experience remains one of the spa’s most memorable signatures to this day.
Local gastronomy
One of my favorite rituals in a hotel of this standing is breakfast, and the one at the Adler Dolomiti was really good. Everything is designed to satisfy both sweet tooths and healthy eaters. Lukewarm Viennese pastries, multiple breads, an abundance of fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juices, homemade yoghurts, as well as local cheeses, mountain charcuterie, hot dishes… and a healthy corner with green smoothies, seeds, plant milks and wholegrain cereals.
What I loved was the attention to detail. It’s clear that the hotel makes a point of offering food that’s both gourmet and balanced, true to its wellness DNA. The perfect way to start the day with energy, before heading off to explore the mountains.
The cuisine at Adler Dolomiti reflects the spirit of the house: generous, sincere and always focused on the quality of local produce. The combination of South Tyrolean traditions and Mediterranean influences results in dishes that are both tasty and light. Menus vary according to the season, with many regional ingredients, reinforcing the feeling of being truly immersed in the local culture.
I particularly enjoyed a dinner where we were served homemade canederli followed by delicately grilled fish accompanied by crisp vegetables. As for my daughters, they enjoyed a simple apple pie, still warm, proving that even in a hotel of this standing, the cuisine remains authentic and convivial.
Our feeling
The hotel brilliantly combines tradition and modernity. It offers one of Italy’s finest spas as well as good cuisine. The presence of the Adler Balance Spa Resort within the same grounds brings a unique medical dimension at particularly attractive prices. Finally, the opportunity to enjoy both the charm of the village of Ortisei and the grandiose nature of the Alpe di Siusi makes this an exceptional destination.
Book ADLER Spa Dolomiti & Adler Spa Resort BALANCE
From €375 per night. Use the form below to contact us for a quote.
Exclusive Luxe Wellness Club benefits : VIP welcome, Room upgrade subject to availability, Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, 20% discount on an experience (dinner, spa, outdoor activity, etc.).
Contact us by phone to discuss your holiday plans:
- from France on + 33 1 85 73 22 14
- from Switzerland: +41 22 501 75 16
- from the Emirates: +971 54 583 1623
- from the USA: +1 (646) 980 6652
- from the UK: +44 20 4577 3258
