In this post:
The Hotel
Whilst officially classed as a hotel, in reality, Hotel Spinale is a beautiful 64-room chalet located at the foot of the famous Spinale black ski run.
Although not technically ski-in/ski-out, it is effectively just that. You can ski directly to the base of the lift, which is about 20 metres away from the hotel, and vice versa if you want to head up the mountain in the morning.
Equipped with a spa, treatment rooms, gym, bar, and its own restaurant, it had everything needed for an enjoyable ski trip.
Location
Madonna di Campiglio is situated in the Dolomites mountain range in Italy.
The hotel’s location is superb, only a short walk from restaurants, shops, and bars, and, as previously mentioned, extremely close to the ski lift.
Directly in front of the hotel is a lovely park area alongside a lake, which transforms into an ice rink in the winter. The area is enjoyable year-round, offering tennis courts, a playground, and even go-karting on the ice when the lake freezes over in winter.
Transfer-wise, the closest airport to Madonna is Verona, a little over two hours away. We flew into Milan Malpensa, which took nearly four hours, and in my opinion, was too long. On our return journey, we broke up the drive with a lunch stop at Lake Garda, which I’d highly recommend as the scenery along the route was spectacular.
Check-In
After a long day of travelling, we arrived at 7pm. It’s always a good sign when it’s snowing upon arrival in a ski village, as it was for us. The snow provided a very picturesque first impression of the hotel.
Through the double doors, we entered a strikingly impressive reception area, where check-in was perfectly organised, even with 14 of us checking into separate rooms.
While passports were checked and room keys prepared, we were offered a lovely drink from the hotel bar, accompanied by a nice spread of meats and cheeses.
Barely 10 steps inside, I already knew it would be a great stay!
The Room
I booked a Prestige room, which is slightly larger than their entry-level room, Perla.
Upon entering the room, the impressive atmosphere from reception continued. If you’ve skied around Europe, you’ll know accommodation quality varies greatly, from dated, pine-panelled walls of the 90s to ultra-modern and luxurious. This hotel strikes the perfect balance, offering a classic yet modern style.
Through the front door and into the hallway, I was greeted by mirrors on both sides, making the space feel larger.
To the right was the bathroom, which was beautifully designed. It was clear that every detail had been carefully thought through, from the intricate detailing on the shower walls to the marble sink, giving it a premium feel.
The shower was spacious and even had a small window offering stunning views up the valley towards the snow-covered mountains, a perfect way to start the day!
The toiletries provided were good, not the absolute best I’ve ever used, but the shower gel had a fresh scent and did the job.
To the left was double sliding doors revealing ample hanging space, a safe, and laundry items.
Entering the main room, I was again impressed by the space and use of modern lighting, which really set a cosy ambience. Lighting is something many hotels overlook, but here it was spot on.
The main room featured a large and very comfortable bed, a chair and coffee table, a long storage bench, and a dressing table with a minibar underneath.
I was welcomed with a selection of fruit and chocolate biscuits, which was a nice touch.
Storage was never an issue, thanks to the main wardrobes and ample bench storage.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the hotel provided both slippers and flip-flops, as well as a pillow menu.
Free bottled water was replaced daily.
Additionally, the room had a large wraparound balcony with stunning views of the village and valley. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to use it much beyond taking photos, as it was snowing or raining almost constantly, but if you were visiting in the summer, it would be a perfect space to have your morning coffee.
The Lounge Bar
Another beautiful space! (I promise this article isn’t sponsored!)
Despite the hotel being at full occupancy, the lounge bar never felt crowded, even when high winds closed the slopes and guests gathered here to work or relax.
The elegant design continued throughout the bar, creating a warm and welcoming space, exactly what’s needed after a long day of skiing or hiking. I particularly appreciated how stylish the bar itself looked.
It was great to find my favourite drinks stocked, something quite rare in many hotels. The bartender also provided some enjoyable theatrical touches with a couple of my drinks, which added to the fun.
A grand piano added further charm, especially when a guest from my group decided to entertain everyone with an impromptu performance, which was fantastic.
The Restaurant
The hotel’s main restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though I only ate breakfast and one dinner there.
Breakfast was probably the best setup I’ve experienced on a skiing trip. For a chalet of this size to have a live egg station was a great surprise. With everything else you could possibly want, it was a comprehensive breakfast that catered to everyone.
Dinner was also fantastic, with a typical Italian flair and zero complaints from our group.
The Spa
Having a spa at a ski chalet is fantastic; in fact, it’s now a deal-breaker for me. There’s nothing better than finishing a day of skiing and heading straight to the spa for a massage and steam room.
However, I was slightly disappointed by this space. It appears to be the only area not yet modernised, creating a jarring contrast with the rest of the hotel. I’m sure they have plans to update this area, and once they do, the hotel will truly be the complete package.
The hot tub wasn’t hot enough, and tiles were coming off the seating in the steam room, a clear sign that renovation is needed.
See, I told you I would find a negative!
To add insult to injury (literally), there was a glass door separating the spa area from the spa reception. Due to dim lighting and the door being spectacularly clean, I walked straight into it headfirst (I’m sure to the staff’s great amusement if they watched it back on camera). Thankfully, the headache faded after about six hours. They really should put a sticker on that door.
I also had a fantastic massage at the spa, and much like Italy in general, it was very affordable at around £85 for an hour, much cheaper than at home.
Other Facilities
Other than the spa, the hotel has a small gym, though I didn’t use it during my stay… you know, with the skiing, dinners, and cocktails taking priority!
They also had a very smart boot room where your room card opened your specific locker, which I thought was very clever.
Skiing/Village Information
I’d never heard of Madonna di Campiglio before booking this trip, but what a discovery it was! I absolutely loved the ski area, it’s probably one of the most versatile ski areas I’ve ever visited. It offers a great mix of red and black runs if you prefer something challenging or plenty of beginner-friendly blue runs, including one from the very top of the resort right down to the village. This is quite rare, making it ideal for all abilities.
We spoke more about it in our recent round up of our top Ski Resorts in Europe here.
Unlike skiing in France and Switzerland, there weren’t many restaurants mid-run to stop for lunch or a Baileys hot chocolate. In Italy, these spots seem reserved for the top of lifts, which is a bit of a shame.
The village itself is charming, with plenty to do beyond skiing. However, it was a little quiet, especially if you’re looking for lively après-ski.
Lastly, everywhere we ate was very reasonably priced. Even in the top restaurants, the most expensive wine was under £90, with the average price around £35 a bottle, which was a pleasant surprise.
Summary
Overall, my stay at this chalet-style hotel in Madonna di Campiglio was thoroughly enjoyable, and I’d happily recommend it. From the ideal slope-side location and thoughtful room design to the welcoming bar and impressive dining experience, the hotel offered everything needed for a comfortable and memorable ski break. The spa area clearly needs updating and perhaps a sticker on the glass door to avoid accidents, however, the fantastic service, beautiful setting, and affordability more than made up for these minor negatives. Madonna di Campiglio itself was a delightful discovery, providing varied skiing suitable for all levels and excellent value throughout.
I’ve not skied in the Dolomites before, but I will be back!
If you are interested in booking Hotel Spinale or any other hotels for an upcoming ski trip, get in touch with our Travel Experts at Winged Boots for a quote here.
2 comments
Lovely review Eugene, but what was the cost of the stay? Was breakfast included? All things very necessary in a review of this type.
Thanks, Graham.
We don’t always put hotel prices in our reviews for a variety of reasons. This one in particular was because I was part of a large group booking and the price I paid isn’t going to be reflective of the true price, thus not being accurate.