Hotel Ancora Cortina Is Back—and It’s Cooler Than Ever

The facade of Hotel Ancora Cortina, set in the midst of the Dolmites

If you’ve ever been to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, you know: It’s not just beautiful; it’s cinematic. It’s the kind of place where every turn in the road looks like a postcard, and time somehow slows down. Right in the middle of it all, on Corso Italia, a longtime local legend has officially stepped back into the spotlight. Say hello (again) to Hotel Ancora Cortina, newly reopened after a thoughtful, design-led restoration that honors its past while very confidently looking forward.

Founded in 1826, Ancora has always been more than a hotel—it’s been the meeting place in town, a social anchor through changing seasons and generations. Now, under the vision of Italian fashion entrepreneur Renzo Rosso, the historic property has been reimagined as something far more personal. The founder and chairman of OTB Group, parent company of Diesel, among other brands, Renzo says, “I have always wanted to create a place that would surprise at first sight, but also make everyone feel truly at home.” And that feeling is evident the moment you step inside.

The Ancora Suite

To bring his concept to life, Renzo teamed up with Vicky Charles, founder of New York–based design studio Charles & Co., who approached the project like a true restoration. “The hotel had so much to work with—woodwork, painted ceilings, alpine decorative motifs,” Vicky explains. “Each room had to be a refuge. Bold, without being noisy.”

The result is 38 entirely unique rooms, wrapped in warm woods, rich colors, vintage finds, and alpine references that feel soulful, not staged. “The bedroom nooks were an inspiration for the bed design, creating niches for the headboards, which was part of the original design,” Vicky offers. “This was not about stripping things back, but about restoring that original boldness and translating it for today.”

Various hotel suites

Every window frames the Dolomites, a main stage for the XXV Winter Olympic Games, where women’s alpine skiing, curling, and sliding sports will take place. The picturesque mountain views serve as a constant reminder of where you are and why you came. “While the Olympics bring global attention," Vicky stresses, "we did not want a design that felt reactive or temporary. The goal was to create a hotel that feels relevant during the Olympics, but just as right in 10, 20, or 50 years. The energy we aimed for is confident and calm rather than showy—something rooted in Cortina itself, not in an event. If anything, the global spotlight reinforced the importance of authenticity.”

Overall, Ancora hums with energy. There’s a restaurant rooted in local, seasonal ingredients, a bar riffing on classic cocktails with alpine botanicals, and a terrace that once again feels like Cortina’s open-air living room. Downstairs, Brave Club—the hotel’s rebellious alter ego—comes alive at night with music, conversation, and a strict no-phones policy that feels refreshingly old-school. Balance that with a serene spa, cryotherapy, yoga, and a Technogym-equipped fitness space, and you’ve got a hotel that understands both revelry and recovery.

Brave Club

While buzzy, Ancora isn’t trying to be flashy. It’s doing something much harder—and cooler. It’s reclaiming its place as the soul of the town, a hub for design lovers, adventurers, locals, and dreamers passing through one of Italy’s most breathtaking landscapes.

According to Vicky, the lighting, colors, materials, and social energy all work together to create a sense of effortless relaxation and belonging. “After a day in the mountains,” she says, “Ancora should feel like a living room for Cortina: comforting, slightly indulgent, and alive with conversation. A place where you can sink into a sofa, have a drink, and feel completely at home.”

—Murrye Bernard

The Tea Room