Hotel Portavescovo

The reception was the low point of my summer stay at Hotel Portavescovo in Arabba. The staff didn't seem very welcoming, and that first impression affected the experience. A warmer greeting would have made a difference. The location is excellent, right in the centre of town and a useful base for exploring the Dolomites. The rooms are simple but fine for a short visit, with what you need after a day outdoors. The dining room felt a bit like a ferry boat, busy and canteen-like instead of cozy and alpine. I'd rate it three stars: good location and decent rooms, but hospitality could improve.

The staff were very welcoming, and the apartment was a real highlight: spacious, with two rooms, two bathrooms, two balconies, and comfortable beds. Breakfast was okay, with coffee or tea served. Dinner included a salad and appetizer buffet, followed by a served first course, second course, and dessert. The appetizers were delicious and there was lots of choice. Our kids played table tennis for free. The pool is more like a jacuzzi than somewhere to swim. Recommended, no complaints.

We'd love to stay here again when we're back for motorcycle riding. We didn't have much time to check out the bar or recreation area, but the room was spacious. It had no amenities beyond a small safe, which worked, and the shower was okay with a fixed head. There is parking in front and another lot behind the building. The staff were kind, especially the restaurant team, who were brilliant. The hotel is in a peaceful village in Arabba, with easy access to other well-known places. We enjoyed our trip west from Arabba.

Dinner came with a buffet and amazing salads, and the staff were very kind. The location was perfect. Breakfast, though, got boring because it was the same every day. There was no porridge, homemade spreads, or fried eggs, and only two kinds of vegetables. I really missed having a normal sized mug for tea, around 2-3dl. There was only one coffee cup on the table, and we had to ask a waiter for hot water. With no coffee machine or hot water machine, it was annoying to wait for 1dl when we could have made our own coffee or morning drink with almond or soy milk. There were six to eight waiters just standing around at dinner, but the hotel couldn't provide tea mugs or a coffee machine. There wasn't a drinks menu, so we didn't know what we could order for breakfast. Dinner was the same.