Hotel Fontana

Hotel Valgioconda feels more like staying at a dear friend's home than at a hotel. The family atmosphere and kind, helpful staff made me feel comfortable right away, and I’m very grateful to them for that. We spent an unforgettable Christmas weekend here. The place is full of character, with handcrafted wooden furnishings, antique pieces, copper pots, old photographs, and other objects that seem to carry their own stories. It felt like stepping back in time, somewhere life moves more slowly. Breakfast was a real treat, with plenty of local products and obvious care in how everything was prepared. I especially liked the almond, carrot, and dried fruit cakes, the yogurt, and the bread. There was so much more I could mention. The location makes it easy to explore both old and modern Sappada, including the Via Crucis, waterfalls, ski slopes, and trails. If you’re after an authentic mountain stay away from everyday bustle, and enjoy nature and quiet, this is a lovely hidden gem. I’d happily come back, and recommend it to others. A special thank you to the staff for being so kind and ready to help.

We paid €150 for two people, including breakfast, which felt exorbitant for the service. I won't be coming back. The beds were comfortable, and the setting between Sappada and Cima is interesting. Breakfast was good, with plant-based milk options that I appreciated, though there wasn't much for anyone looking for healthier choices. The rooms are simple but spacious. Some have windowless bathrooms, while others have no windows at all and can only be reached by an internal staircase, something to keep in mind if mobility is an issue. Wi-Fi was included in the price but didn't work at all during our stay. We reported it more than once, including at checkout, but staff didn't fix it and seemed to assume the problem was ours. I doubt that, since I had an iPhone. They also didn't offer any gesture to make up for the poor service.

I spent a week here on half board, but can't recommend it. The rooms were roomy and clean, though dated. There were no mirrors, the old hairdryers didn't work properly, and toiletries like mini soaps weren't provided. It was also hard to find anyone at reception when I needed something. The main problem was the staff and owners. They seemed unprofessional and unwelcoming, and were absolutely unhelpful and annoyed whenever a situation came up. It felt like helping guests wasn't their job. The menu, too, seemed more suited to a hospital than a tourist hotel.

We paid €200 a night, including drinks such as still and sparkling water, and we won't be back. For that price, the experience was deeply disappointing. My family and I stayed for four days. Before arriving, we were told verbally that we could decide each day whether to have half board or breakfast only. At check-in, though, we were told it was half board or nothing. The building and rooms feel old and dated, and the religious decorations were distressing to us. The food reminded me of a sad university cafeteria. One night, after we'd been out all day, my girlfriend had to shower in cold water because the hot water had run out, with the temperature outside at -5 degrees. They charged €15 for a plate of pasta with meat sauce for my one-year-old son. It was like cafeteria food, and this was in Sappada. My advice to the hotel would be to close and renovate, or lower the prices for a place that, in my humble opinion, is close to poverty.