Nestled in Corvara, at the heart of the Dolomites, Hotel La Perla feels like a stately home—a beautiful, well-appointed retreat with four excellent restaurants, a vast wine cellar, and a newly renovated spa.
The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have long attracted visitors seeking stunning views and world-class hiking. Our route took us from Milan, after flying in and out of the city, or from Venice, though a five-hour drive is required.
While Venice is a closer destination, we chose Milan as our stopover. La Perla was founded in 1956 when Ernesto and Anni Costa opened a modest guesthouse in a renowned ski area, just opposite the family’s traditional home. Ernesto, a ski instructor and plumber, built the first lift in the region, a fact you can still admire from the hotel’s windows. Today, the property is run by Ernesto’s sons, Michil and Mattias, and it proudly holds a membership in the Leading Hotels of the World.
Much of the hotel is constructed from wood, adorned with antiques belonging to the family. The Costa family also deeply values the Ladin culture, a unique Alpine heritage from this area. Mathias regularly invites guests to enjoy an aperitivo at his family’s original Ladin home, just steps from the hotel. This historic residence offers a window into everyday life in the region.
As a representative of a recent guest, I can say: “We want our guests to feel at home,” Mathias shared with The Jerusalem Post. While the temperatures remained brisk in June, the front desk ensured I had a jacket for my stay.
La Perla seamlessly blends tradition with luxury. The four restaurants on the property offer exceptional cuisine, and the breakfast was both elegant and delightful.
The Costa family’s passion for food and wine is palpable, with much of the guests’ experience centered around the table. For those adhering to a kosher diet, many dishes can be made vegan, and there are abundant vegetarian choices. Breakfast is included with every stay, and the buffet featured a refined spread of fruits, including pineapples and raspberries.
Beyond the buffet, guests can order eggs or crepes from the kitchen, and I savored a delicious chocolate crepe over several mornings. When the hotel first opened for the summer, the Michelin-starred restaurant La Stua de Michil was not yet open. Instead, we enjoyed dinner at the Les Stues, a collection of six rooms that felt more like intimate home kitchens. The four-course meals were superb, with portions that were generous yet left me comfortably full.
La Perla offers a dedicated hiking guide, Stefka, who leads several weekly excursions or assists guests in planning independent routes. We took a four-hour hike that, while moderate, offered excellent views of the Dolomites. It was not a well-known trail, yet it was a true challenge.
We also appreciated a wine tasting with a glimpse of the hotel’s impressive collection—over 35,000 bottles, making it one of the largest and most significant in the area. The sommelier introduced us to local varieties we had not previously tried. Later, I treated myself to a relaxing massage at the newly renovated spa, spending an unhurried afternoon in the indoor pool and sauna. In the winter, the resort operates as a “ski-in, ski-out” destination, allowing guests to step directly onto the slopes behind the hotel.
I highly recommend a trip to the Dolomites and Hotel La Perla.
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