Once a month, Luxus Magazine sets sail for a destination in France or elsewhere to discover the most elegant addresses, all carefully selected. Characterful hotels, fine dining, rare boutiques, cultural getaways… Our guide is a treasure trove for discerning travelers. After Mauritius, it’s time for Cortina d’Ampezzo, a ski resort, host of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and nicknamed the pearl or queen of the Dolomites.
Cortina d’Ampezzo has been a prestigious Alpine resort since the 19th century, popular with a wealthy international clientele. Surrounded by iconic peaks, it hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and is co-hosting the 2026 Games, which will take place from February 6 to 22, further enhancing its global reputation. Between Ladin traditions, post-war aristocracy, and contemporary glamour, Cortina symbolizes Italian Alpine elegance. Its history is marked by a cosmopolitan culture where sport, lifestyle, and spectacular landscapes come together in rare harmony.
🔑 Historical key: a multicultural past
Cortina d’Ampezzo has been a prestigious Alpine resort since the 19th century, popular with a wealthy international clientele. Surrounded by iconic peaks, it already hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and is co-hosting the 2026 Games, which will take place from February 6 to 22, reinforcing its global aura. Between Ladin traditions, post-war aristocracy, and contemporary glamour, Cortina symbolizes Italian Alpine elegance. Its history is marked by a cosmopolitan culture where sport, lifestyle, and spectacular landscapes come together in rare harmony.
The village of Cortina d’Ampezzo is nestled at an altitude of 1,210 meters in the heart of the Italian Alps in northern Italy, in the Veneto region. Like the Dolomite mountain range, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the beauty of its landscapes. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the Ampezzo Valley developed in the Middle Ages under the influence of the patriarchs, bishops, and archbishops of Aquileia, before coming under Austrian rule for centuries. This long period of belonging to Tyrol has had a profound impact on its culture, Ladin language, and architecture. Its inhabitants claim to belong to the Ladin culture, speak the language, and cultivate a sense of identity reflected in their flag: blue like the sky, white like snow, and gray like the rock standing vertically in a breathtaking landscape. The surrounding hamlets are home to the chalets of the great Agnelli, Benetton, Barilla, and Illy families, the spearheads of transalpine high society.
After World War I, Cortina became Italian, ushering in a new era. In the 20th century, the town was transformed into a prestigious Alpine resort, welcoming artists, aristocrats, and travelers from all over the world. The 1956 Winter Olympics cemented its international reputation, to the point that it was featured in Blake Edwards’ 1963 film The Pink Panther and became a hot spot for the international jet set, alongside Gstaad, Courchevel, and Zermatt. In her best-selling crime novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1955), novelist Patricia Highsmith makes sure to mention millionaire Dickie Greenleaf’s winter habits in the charming Italian resort. Between pink peaks at sunset, mountain traditions, and discreet elegance, Cortina embodies a rare balance between spectacular nature and art de vivre. Even today, it continues to fascinate with its cosmopolitan history and unique Alpine identity.
🔑 Key to sleep: the Ancora Cortina
In Cortina d’Ampezzo, sleep becomes a cultural experience at the Ancora Cortina, a reinvented local icon. Founded in 1826 and revived in 2025 under the impetus of Renzo Rosso – already owner of the Pelican Hotel in Miami and the Chiltern Firehouse in London – the founder of the OTB group (Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, etc.) has restored this institution on Corso Italia to its former glory by combining heritage and modernity. The interior design, created by Vicky Charles, weaves a subtle link between Alpine heritage and international elegance. The 35 rooms and suites, each one unique, combine noble materials, warm colors, and distinctive details. More than a hotel, the Ancora feels like a home, intimate and vibrant.
🔑 Key to the soul: Baroque church
In the center of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the magnificent Baroque church, elevated to the rank of basilica by Benedict XVI, imposes its serenity, flanked by a majestic bell tower watching over the narrow streets. Walking here, you can feel the Alpine soul: living traditions, the gentleness of everyday life, and a deep connection to the mountains. Between ringing bells and colorful facades, each step reveals the quiet poetry and timeless identity of Cortina, between heritage, spirituality, and natural harmony.
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Featured photo: © Betty Subrizi/Unsplash
