Every summer someone calls me saying “I booked a hotel in Misurina, but parking is paid and far away”. Or “I wanted to be on the lake, but the hotel is on the main road and trucks pass by”. The problem with sleeping in Misurina isn’t finding a place – there are several, from two-star to chalets – but understanding WHERE you’re really sleeping and what that means in practical terms.
Because Misurina on paper looks perfect: beautiful lake, Tre Cime twenty minutes away, clean air, UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. Then you arrive, discover there are only a handful of residents, three restaurants open in the evening, and in summer the lake is so crowded you might want to go home. I’m not saying sleeping here is a bad idea – I’ve been doing it for twenty years – but you need to know what to expect.
This guide isn’t a “10 best hotels” list copied from Booking. It’s what I’d tell you if you really asked me where to stay to visit this area, with practical information that no booking site will ever give you.
What you need to understand before booking any hotel
Location matters more than stars. In Misurina there are no five-star hotels, so you’re not choosing between luxury and budget. You’re choosing between: sleeping literally on the lake with views and high prices but zero parking, sleeping 500 meters from the lake with more services and private parking, or sleeping in Auronzo saving money but having to drive 10 minutes every time.
I always recommend the second option, unless you have unlimited budget or arrive by bus. Hotels directly on the lake – like Grand Hotel Misurina – have the best view, nobody denies that. If you have luggage, children, skis, it’s a hassle. Hotels 300-500 meters from the lake – area near the junction for Tre Cime – give you private parking, easier access, and you’re still five minutes walk from the lake. Much more practical.
Seasonality changes everything. In summer Misurina is full from mid-July to late August. All hotels fill up, prices rise, and if you don’t book months in advance you’ll only find single rooms or nothing. Winter is different: many facilities close from November to December and reopen for ski season. If you come in January-February you’ll find availability, but less choice.
My advice? September and early October for summer, January-February for winter. Lower prices, fewer people, same quality. Avoid August if you can.
The parking problem is real. In summer, parking around the lake is paid and fills up by 9 am. If you stay in a hotel without private parking, you must leave your car in public parking at 10-15 euros per day, not always with hotel ticket. With luggage and children it’s a nightmare. The only free parking is at the Col de Varda chairlift, but in summer it fills up early too and is reserved for those using the chairlift.
Solution: choose hotels with included private parking. Not all have it, check before booking. If the hotel doesn’t specify it clearly on the website, they probably don’t have it.
Misurina isn’t the only option. If hotels in Misurina are full or too expensive, look at Auronzo di Cadore (10 minutes by car) or, if you have higher budget, Cortina (20 minutes). Auronzo has more choice, lower prices, and better services – supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies. Cortina is more expensive and chaotic, but has the widest hotel offering in the area plus its characteristic appeal. Sleeping in Auronzo and visiting Misurina during the day can be a smart compromise.
Evening services are limited. Misurina has very few restaurants open in the evening, off-season let’s not even talk about it. If you book only bed and breakfast, you might find yourself with few dinner options. Better to choose hotels with half board or at least with internal restaurant. Otherwise you have to go down to Auronzo, Cortina or Val Pusteria every evening.
Main accommodations: what you need to know
Now, having made these premises, let’s look at the concrete options. I won’t make you a “top 10” list because it would be dishonest – I haven’t tried them all and the “best” depends on what you’re looking for. But I can tell you which are the main facilities, where they are located, and who they’re suitable for.
Hotels on the lake with Dolomites view
Grand Hotel Misurina is what everyone sees in photos: directly on the lake shores, spectacular view of Tre Cime and Sorapiss, old-time atmosphere. It’s the historic hotel of Misurina, has existed for decades. Ideal for families and couples who want to wake up with the lake below their window and don’t mind the budget. Has internal restaurant, spa, spacious rooms. The downside: problematic parking, above-average prices, and in summer it’s full of tourists even around the structure.
Hotel Miralago is another option directly on the lake, smaller and more intimate than Grand Hotel. Here too excellent view, rooms with mountain style, panoramic restaurant. Same parking problem, same advantages on location. Generally positive reviews, more familiar atmosphere compared to Grand Hotel.
If your budget holds up and the view is the absolute priority, these two work well. But expect to pay 150-200 euros per night in summer for a double room, and having to manage the parking issue. In winter prices drop a bit, but remain above average.
Hotel Sorapiss is about 400 meters from the ski slopes and lake front. Has free private parking – this already makes it more practical than many others. Offers bike rental, wellness center, standard but comfortable rooms. It’s 7 km from Cortina facilities (Faloria and Cristallo), so convenient for those who want to ski in Cortina. More contained prices: you can find it at 100-120 euros per night in low season.
Hotel Lavaredo is an elegant structure with excellent reviews (average rating 9.0 on many platforms). Strategic position, wellness center, restaurant with local and international cuisine, well-kept rooms. It’s the choice for those who want quality on the lake. Parking available, modern services, relaxing atmosphere. Medium-high price range, but justified by quality.
Albergo Chalet Lago Antorno is technically “outside Misurina” – it’s located on Lake Antorno, 2 km south. Quieter environment, less crowded, immersed in nature. Has parking, restaurant, chalet-style rooms. Ideal for those seeking peace and silence instead of Misurina’s frenzy. Lake Antorno is smaller and less spectacular, but precisely for this reason more relaxing. Fair prices, good quality-price compromise. I stayed there several times in the nineties and always had a good experience.
Apartments and budget alternatives
If hotels are too expensive or full, there are apartments and B&Bs scattered between Misurina and Auronzo. I can’t recommend a specific one because they often change ownership and management, but on Airbnb and Booking you’ll find several options. Always check:
- Real distance from the lake (don’t trust the maps)
- If there’s private parking or you must use public ones
- If it’s easily reachable or you have to take narrow mountain roads
Apartments work well if you’re self-sufficient, have a car, and want to save money. For large families or groups of friends they’re often the best choice. But it means managing meals, transportation, and not having services like restaurant or reception.
Practical information that matters
How to get there: Misurina is easily reached by car from Cortina d’Ampezzo (15 km, panoramic road), from Dobbiaco (25 km) or from San Candido (30 km). The provincial road SP49 is well maintained and passable all year round, snow permitting. In winter you need winter tires or chains.
By public transport: in summer there are Dolomitibus buses from Cortina to Misurina, with regular runs. Convenient if you don’t have a car and want to avoid the parking issue. In winter connections are reduced. From train stations (Calalzo di Cadore is the closest) you then need to take bus or taxi.
Average indicative prices:
- High summer season (July-August): 120-200€ per night for double room
- Low summer season (June, September): 80-150€
- High winter season (January-March): 100-180€
- Intermediate periods: 70-120€
These are average prices for 3-star hotels with breakfast. Chalets and apartments vary greatly, from 60€ to 250€ per night. Grand Hotel and top structures go even over 200€ in high season.
When to book: For August, book at least 4-5 months in advance. For September-October and winter, 2-3 months are enough. Last-minute bookings are rare in Misurina – availability is limited and fills up.
Pet friendly: Some hotels accept animals, but with limitations. Some hotels, for example, have a supplement (10-15€ per day). Always check before booking and specify that you have an animal. Misurina is convenient for dogs – many trails, open spaces – but not all hotels are equipped.
Who should stay in Misurina
Families: Yes, if you choose hotels with spacious rooms and dedicated services. Grand Hotel Misurina and Hotel Lavaredo are suitable. The lake is safe for children (flat circuit, no dangers), and there are activities like pedal boat rental. But Misurina is small and in the evening there’s little for children – no cinema, no large playgrounds. Works for families who love nature and walks, less for those seeking entertainment.
Couples: Excellent for couples seeking tranquility and views. Wellness center, romantic restaurants, sunsets on the lake. Hotels with lake view are perfect for a romantic weekend. Avoid August if you want intimacy – too crowded.
Sports enthusiasts: Ideal. Direct access to hiking, via ferratas, ski slopes, snowshoeing. Hotels like Sorapiss with bike rental and proximity to slopes are perfect. Misurina is strategic base for Tre Cime, Monte Piana, Cadini. If you come to do sports, you’re in the right place here.
Elderly or reduced mobility: It depends. The lake circuit is flat and doable, but real excursions require fitness. Hotels have elevators and comfort, but mountain remains mountain. If you’re just looking for relaxation and views without physical effort, it’s fine. If you want to explore, carefully evaluate your abilities.
Questions I always get asked
Better Misurina or Auronzo? Misurina for the view and proximity to Tre Cime. Auronzo for services, prices and practicality. If you have limited budget or travel with large family, Auronzo. If you want the “mountain lake” experience, Misurina.
Do I need a car? In summer no, if you use public transport and hike. In winter yes, connections are reduced and without a car you’re limited. To visit surrounding areas (Cortina, Dobbiaco, Braies) a car is necessary.
Do hotels have WiFi? Yes, generally all have free WiFi. Watch out, mobile signal in Misurina can be weak in some areas. If you work remotely, verify connection quality first.
Can I cancel the booking? Depends on the hotel and rate type. Many offer free cancellation up to 7-14 days before. Cheaper rates are often non-refundable. Always read conditions before confirming.
Are there hotels open all year round? No, many close in November and reopen in December for ski season. Some also close in spring (April-May). If traveling off-season, check that the hotel is open.
The final advice
If I have to tell you where to sleep without knowing anything about you, I say: Hotel Sorapiss or Lavaredo (chairlift area, with private parking, on the lake). They’re the best compromise between practicality, price and location. You have the car convenient and the lake within walking distance.
If you have high budget and the view is everything: Grand Hotel Misurina. But accept that you’ll have to manage parking.
If you want to save or Misurina is full: Auronzo di Cadore, 10 minutes by car. Same area, better prices, more services.
And remember: you don’t come to Misurina for the hotel. You come for the Dolomites, for the hikes, for the clean air. The hotel is just the base. Better a practical three-star than an inconvenient four-star. After twenty years here, I assure you that where you park matters more than how many stars the room has.
