HOTEL AMBRA CORTINA BRINGS DESIGN, CULTURE, AND FASHION TO ALPINE HOSPITALITY

In the beautiful Dolomites mountains, tucked in the iconic resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, just steps from the bell tower and the famous Corso Italia, stands the Fashion Boutique Hotel Ambra Cortina. With its very recognisable yellow façade, the hotel feels like classic Cortina hospitality with a design-forward spin, leaving traditions to the past for a more cosmopolitan sensibility.

Ambra Cortina is a historic residence from the early 1900s that was acquired by Elisabetta Dotto in 2006, a third-generation innkeeper and author who went on to acquire more historical properties throughout Italy, blending local heritage with cutting-edge design, creating spaces that tell stories with very unique atmospheres and distinct narratives. Her vision is coherent across all her properties; they all feel lived-in, they exude emotion, and they carry memories crystallised in the architecture and design.

Local architect Gian Luca Perissinotto was in charge of the renovations, which carefully preserved the building’s original character while reinterpreting it through a contemporary lens. The space feels historic yet never heavy or old: hardwood panelling and beautiful crown mouldings, warm lighting and chandeliers, antlers added demurely across the space.

A “menu” explains the different rooms: twenty-four unique spaces distributed across thematic floors inspired by Cinema, Theatre, Nature, and Fashion. Each space is defined by its own visual language, with different colours, materials, and details; everything feels layered and inspired, embracing personality and contrast, and the spirit of Cortina as a cultural confluence of sport, cinema, and fashion. 

The Ambra Cortina never stops expanding, having recently unveiled its latest addition, Lanterna, the first Cocktail and Hi-Fi Bar in the Dolomites. The space feels like a greenhouse, with glass walls and plants adorning its every corner.

The bar, a social and cultural hub within the hotel, will see a three-year-long partnership with DENHAM, a fashion brand known for its European roots and Japanese design culture, bringing a strong cross-cultural sensibility. Together, Ambra Cortina and DENHAM bring a fresh perspective on Cortina d’Ampezzo’s hospitality experience through music, fashion, listening culture, and design.