Hotel La Perla, in Corvara, is a luxurious base from which to explore the Dolomites in the northern Italian Alps.
The UNESCO World Heritage listed Dolomites, in the northern Italian Alps, are a jaw-dropping set of peaks, whose majesty is hard to convey unless you’ve actually been there.
A luxurious base from which to explore them is Hotel La Perla, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, in the village of Corvara – the heart of the Alta Badia ski resort – in the province of Alto Adige (aka Südtirol).
Founded in 1956 by Ernesto and Anni Costa, this South Tyrolean manor house is now run by their sons, Michil, Mathias and Maximilian, all of whom have a hands-on role at the property, welcoming guests with the warm hospitality typical of Alto Adige’s traditional Ladin mountain culture.
This inviting atmosphere, which sees the lederhosen-clad Mathias Costa and Corvara locals mingle with hotel guests over a drink, is a key reason why many guests return annually and become part of the extended La Perla ‘family’.
One of the Romantik double rooms at Hotel La Perla. Credit: Casa Costa 1956
Traditional yet elegant living
The hotel offers 56 rooms, ranging from singles to suites, most with their own balcony, either facing the imposing Mount Sassongher or the picturesque village. The style throughout is traditional yet elegant – rugs and reclaimed wood, exposed beams and cosy soft furnishings, along with regional art and quirky accessories such as antique walking sticks and teapots.
In the Romantik double rooms, enjoy an enormous pillow- and throw-laden king-sized bed with crisp linen, a traditional silo-like free-standing fireplace, a leather chesterfield, and a chandelier over a breakfast table, where an ice bucket and bottle of Franciacorta, fresh fruit and chocolates welcome you.
La Stüa de Michil, the Michelin one-starred restaurant at Hotel La Perla. Credit: Gustav Willeit
Gourmet dining, from cosy to Michelin
Guests are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options. Les Stües (‘The Rooms’) is the main half-board restaurant, available only to guests. As its name suggests, it is a warren of connecting wood-panelled rooms each with its own distinctive traditional décor following authentic Alpine kitchen-diners from the 1700s: think bold tablecloths and curtains, matching floral arrangements and crockery, and decorative plates adorning the walls.
While you could fill up on the buffet-style salad bar, the à la carte menu of traditional Alto Adige dishes is simple yet comforting and, as with all La Perla’s restaurants, vegan menus are available.
On a sunny day, the Bistrot’s terrace is the place to be for a casual lunch, particularly for classic Italian fare. Or sit inside, around the impressive polished wood main bar, for afternoon tea or an aperitif. After dark, the venue becomes the Music Club, with different local singers and musicians each night.
Gourmands will have booked their seat at the Michelin one-star La Stüa de Michil in advance. While it follows the 18th-century wood panelling of the rest of La Perla, this is more of an opulent, intimate, candle-lit chamber, where Calabrian chef Simone Cantafio takes inspiration from his years in Japan to create an innovative tasting menu for up to 10 people.
Hotel La Perla’s food and drink philosophy is organic, local and seasonal. Credit: Casa Costa 1956
Sustainable, seasonal and organic
A stone’s throw from La Perla, is sister property Berghotel Ladinia. The building was the first inn in Corvara and its historic, rustic décor exudes real charm. The eponymous Alpine restaurant specialises in using locally farmed, grown and forged produce and the wine list champions mainly boutique Alto Adige producers, many of which work biodynamically.
From extensive buffet breakfast to innovative nightcap, La Perla’s food and drink philosophy is organic, local and seasonal, and encourages diners to eschew meat on Fridays. The hotel also follows the Common…
Source : https://www.decanter.com.master.public.keystone-prod-eks-euw1.futureplc.engineering/dream-destination/decanters-dream-destination-hotel-la-perla-alto-adige-italy-541401/
