Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the heart of the Dolomites, is gearing up for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Construction is in full swing, but some projects are already complete—like Ancora Cortina, the newly opened hotel by Renzo Rosso, president of the fashion group OTB (which includes Jil Sander, Maison Margiela, Marni, and Viktor&Rolf).

Rosso has always had a passion for hospitality. His journey began 30 years ago with The Pelican in Miami, a vintage-style hotel across from South Beach. In 2014, he launched the Chiltern Firehouse in London with André Balazs—an exclusive, no-photos-allowed club beloved by celebrities.

With that background, Rosso brought his vision to Cortina, long known as the Queen of the Dolomites. He acquired the town’s first hotel, built in 1826, featuring panoramic mountain views from every window, and turned it into a refined and welcoming home for guests.

This vision relies on a skilled and continuously trained team—an essential part of Ancora’s philosophy. For Rosso, hospitality is a blend of design, service, and sensorial experience. The interior design was entrusted to Vicky Charles of Soho House, whose signature vintage style brings a warm, lived-in atmosphere filled with books, art, and personality.

Hotel management is overseen by Aldo Melpignano, the visionary behind Borgo Egnazia, now developing luxury hospitality projects from Puglia to the Dolomites, including the soon-to-open Castel Badia.

Ancora embraces bold choices: vintage design, a longevity-focused spa, a sustainable restaurant using locally sourced ingredients, and Brave—a cellphone-free nightclub where guests leave their phones in lockers so that what happens inside stays inside.

Cortina remains a traditionally elegant mountain town, but with this new project, the upcoming Mandarin Oriental (opening in December), and the Olympic Games on the horizon, the town appears ready to open itself to the world.

“With an international crowd and the unmatched beauty of the Dolomites,” says Rosso, “Cortina just might become the place to be.”

Discover Ancora Cortina