Hotel Cavallino d’Oro

Castelrotto is the loveliest of medieval towns in the western Dolomites. Surrounded by high mountain meadows dotted with chalets and backed by towering mountains, it’s a sight to behold. Snuggled in the heart of town, the 14th-century Cavallino d’Oro has a deep-mustard-color façade highlighted by dark-green shutters and flower boxes overflowing with geraniums. There is an old-world atmosphere throughout this small inn. The guestrooms are individual in decor, and delightfully furnished in a typical Tyrolean style—three rooms with light-pine, four-poster beds are especially pretty. The rooms face the medieval market square or have a balcony with a view of the Dolomites. From its beginning the Cavallino has offered accommodations, originally being a coaching station providing food and rooms for weary travelers and facilities for the horses. This hospitality is certainly ongoing—Susanne and Stefan (both of whom speak excellent English) have now taken over as the third generation of the Urthaler family to run the hotel. Not only do they exude boundless enthusiasm and gracious warmth of welcome, they are also constantly improving their small hotel by incorporating more antiques into the decor and continuously renovating and upgrading. The restaurant has an excellent reputation, specializing in regional dishes.