Driving into Alta Badia from Veneto means crossing mountain passes where the landscape changes with every season. Our destination was San Cassiano, where we spent two nights at Lagació Hotel Mountain Residence.
Lagació Hotel Mountain Residence
The hotel draws on the materials and traditions of the Dolomites without feeling overly rustic. Its suites combine wood, warm colours and wide windows, creating a comfortable base for days outdoors.
Environmental choices are visible throughout the property. Drinking water from the hotel’s spring is available in the suites, while breakfast includes house-made preserves, organic bread, regional cheeses and options for different dietary requirements.
La Palsa Spa
La Palsa Spa includes a Finnish sauna, steam room, bio sauna, ice fountain, relaxation area and hot tub. After a day in the mountains, the contrast between warm interiors and cool outdoor air felt especially restorative.
The spa is compact enough to remain quiet and works well as part of the daily rhythm rather than a separate activity.
Exploring Alta Badia
San Cassiano sits beneath peaks including Conturines, Lavarella and Lagazuoi. In warmer months, hiking paths lead through meadows and towards mountain huts; in winter, the area connects with the wider ski network of the Dolomites.
Further afield, Brunico and Lake Braies can be included in a broader itinerary, although each deserves enough time to avoid turning the weekend into a sequence of quick stops.
Alta Badia works in every season, but the experience changes considerably. Summer and early autumn favour walking and long days outside; winter brings snow sports and a more sheltered hotel rhythm.
For another route through the Dolomites, see our San Pellegrino Pass guide.