Faloria Mountain Spa Resort

Faloria Mountain Spa Resort, a Michelin Key Selected property in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, generally garners positive feedback for its luxurious alpine experience, breathtaking views, and exceptional spa facilities. However, some guests have raised concerns regarding room size, cleanliness, and certain aspects of the dining and shuttle services.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Faloria Mountain Spa Resort is largely positive, with a rating of 8.7/10 from 67 reviews, indicating a strong combination of quality and value. Guests frequently praise the hotel's beautiful atmosphere, attentive service, and excellent spa facilities. As a 5-star luxury hotel, it aims to provide a high-end experience in the heart of the Dolomites. Despite the overall positive sentiment, some significant criticisms exist, particularly concerning cleanliness and value at higher price points.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight the resort's outstanding spa facilities, often described as excellent and offering a serene and relaxing experience perfect after hiking or skiing. The presence of an outdoor hot tub is a particular favorite. The design, inspired by the alpine context, features a "Nordic," elegant, and essential atmosphere that is also relaxed and comfortable, integrating technology and practicality with Italian hospitality traditions. The stunning views of the Dolomites are another frequently celebrated aspect. The hotel is also noted as being family and pet-friendly. Its Michelin Key selection signifies "the highest levels of contemporary luxury hospitality" with stylish and contemporary interiors.

3. Room Quality

Rooms and suites at Faloria Mountain Spa Resort are described as spacious, renovated, and beautiful, with guests appreciating the comfortable mattresses, high-quality pillows, and lovely bathrooms. The design echoes a traditional chalet style infused with European elegance, utilizing plush fabrics, ornate details, and sophisticated design. Warm woods, ample natural light, and private balconies offering fantastic landscape views are common features, along with modern comforts such as satellite television and mini-bars. Rooms and suites have been redesigned with soothing muted colors and a restrained palette, with some offering a balcony, terrace, or garden, and mountain views. However, some guests have reported standard rooms to be narrow, with small wardrobes and non-working coffee machines, and noted worn-out furniture in some residential rooms.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Faloria Mountain Spa Resort generally receives positive remarks. Guests can expect a "fabulous breakfast choices" with "proper coffee". The hotel's restaurant is often described as "absolutely delicious". The resort features a Restaurant, Bistrot, Lounge Bar, and Terrace, all designed to explore local culinary traditions. Chef Giovanni Gagliardo, with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, creates menus that blend local tradition with Mediterranean culture, focusing on locally sourced ingredients. The main restaurant boasts a glazed pavilion, offering breathtaking views of the alpine landscape, making it ideal for romantic dinners. Despite these positive points, some reviews mention "disappointing breakfast experiences" and a "mediocre" assortment, with service sometimes relying heavily on a single experienced employee.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Faloria Mountain Spa Resort are consistently lauded as a major highlight. Guests describe the staff as "super friendly," "attentive," "extremely helpful and friendly," and going "above and beyond" to ensure a pleasant stay. Many commend the "5-star service and excellent engagement," with staff making guests feel well cared for from check-in to check-out. The hospitality is often characterized as gentle and making guests feel "like home".

6. Location & Accessibility

Located in the quiet village of Zuel di Sopra, Faloria Mountain Spa Resort offers beautiful views across the valley and the Dolomites, situated between Mount Faloria and the 1956 Olympic ski trampoline. While not in the immediate center of Cortina d'Ampezzo, it provides a "free shuttle service" that takes guests to the town center (approximately 5 minutes by car) and to ski lifts. Guests also appreciate the "great walking trails nearby". Access by car is convenient via the A27 or A22 motorways. The nearest airports are Treviso, Venice, Verona, and Innsbruck, with bus connections available. The closest train station is Calalzo di Cadore, about 35km away, with connecting bus services to Cortina. However, some guests have reported significant waiting times (40-50 minutes) for the shuttle service due to logistics and traffic issues.

7. Value & Pricing

The Faloria Mountain Spa Resort positions itself as a luxurious retreat, with average room prices around $422, which some consider exceptional value compared to the average $269 for other hotels in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Other sources show rates starting from US$598 or $439. Pricing can vary significantly, with June being the cheapest month (an average 56% price drop) and February being the most expensive (an average 76% rise). Weeknight prices have been observed around $1,490, and weekend nights around $946. Some guests, however, have expressed disappointment with the value at higher price points, noting that standard rooms at €1205 per night or Deluxe Premium rooms at €1765 per night did not always meet their expectations for a 5-star experience.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the many positives, several recurring complaints have been noted:

• Cleanliness: Some reviews highlight "significant issues with cleanliness, particularly mold and insects" in rooms, and "poorly cleaned" common areas and elevator.
• Breakfast: While generally praised, some guests found the breakfast experience "disappointing" or the assortment "mediocre".
• Room Size and Amenities: Specific criticisms include standard rooms being narrow, small wardrobes, non-working coffee machines, and worn-out furniture in residential rooms.
• Spa Area: Despite being a highlight, one detailed complaint described the spa area as "small," with "many puddles on the floor," limited seating in the relaxation area (only five seats), and small saunas/steam rooms accommodating only 2-4 or 2-3 people respectively.
• Ski Room: The ski room was also criticized for not being well-adapted for skis and boots, with capacity for no more than 4 people at a time.
• Shuttle Service: Issues with the complimentary shuttle service were reported, with guests experiencing long waiting times (40-50 minutes) for transfers.
• Overall Value at High Prices: Some guests felt that at peak season high prices, the hotel did not fully deliver a 5-star experience, particularly regarding room quality and some facilities.

Sources

1. trip.com
2. kayak.com
3. faloriasparesort.com
4. luxurylink.com
5. booking.com
6. michelin.com
7. booking.com
8. faloriasparesort.com
9. faloriasparesort.com
10. agoda.com