Hotel Valacia

The staff were attentive and wonderful, making sure we had what we needed throughout our stay. Our room had been upgraded, was very comfortable and clean, and came with a stunning mountain view. Breakfast was delicious, and we’d recommend trying dinner at the hotel too. We had a lovely time and would happily come back.

We hope to return. The hotel was excellent value, and we had dinner there every night, which was very good. Breakfast was a reasonable buffet. Our newly refurbished room was comfortable and well equipped, with a large balcony facing the mountains. The only thing missing was a kettle. We English like an early cup of tea! The best part of our lovely week was the staff. They were warm, fun, and clearly wanted to make our stay special.

Valacia was a good experience apart from the food. The hotel is just a few metres from access to the slope, the rooms are attractive and well insulated against noise, and the staff are friendly. I stayed seven nights, and the breakfast got repetitive. It was just ham, cheese, boiled eggs, and a few cereals, with no tomatoes or cucumber and no changes from one morning to the next. That might be fine for a night or two, but not for a week. Dinner was average compared with similar hotels we’ve stayed at in recent years. We ate it, but it wasn’t something to look forward to.

Sellaronda took more planning than we expected. From the main lift serving Pozza and Val di Fassa, you can start the route, but allow enough time to get back. On the way from Col dei Rossi, there can be queues for the main lift to Alba. If you’re not there by 15:30, you’ll need to take the ski bus back to Pozza, whose stop is opposite the hotel. That ride is about 20 km and 45 minutes. We didn’t know, and didn’t get back until 7 pm after a stressful day with no time for a break. We skied 52 km, then spent 45 minutes on the bus. Leave early, expect crowds, and don’t plan on long stops. Staying in the Pozza ski area was much more relaxed for us: about 40 km skiing, with time for breaks and no stress. Hotel Valacia made the rest of the holiday easy. It’s at the quiet end of the village, with a shop 50 metres away and the centre a five-minute walk. You can cross from the parking area to the last 100 metres of a slope, then ski down to the main lift and return to the hotel. The slope is a 5 km red run from the top, and we didn’t need the car during our stay. Our three rooms were in the newer part of the hotel and were very comfortable. We also saw the older section, where the rooms looked spacious but had older furniture and style, as in the photos. There’s parking, a heated ski room accessed by a code directly from the parking area, a small but nice spa with an outdoor jacuzzi, and a fitness room. The breakfasts and dinners were great. Each day we chose the next evening’s meal from four starters, four main courses, and four desserts. The chef is excellent, and the quality and choice were a real surprise. We understood that the hotel is run by two brothers: one handles reception and the bar, and was friendly and helpful despite not speaking fluent English; the other is the chef. It gave the place a homely, family-run feel. The staff were smart, cheerful, and always ready to help. Claudia and Claudio were especially great. On Saturday evening we were welcomed to dinner with a nice cocktail, and on several nights an Italian musician played piano and sang in the bar afterward. We’ll do everything we can to come back.