Rooted in Santa Cristina, the hotel began as a small bed and breakfast in 1958.
In 2026, it underwent extensive modernisation, bringing tradition together with contemporary Alpine design. Clean lines complement an identity that remains true to the hotel’s story, as distinctive as the region itself. Join us on a journey from the beginning to the present day.
When Aldo and Ida Perathoner built Pension Carmen in 1958, they laid the foundations for today’s Dolomites Hotel Carmen. The small family-run bed and breakfast offered simple, welcoming accommodation in the Dolomites. Personal hospitality and close ties to the region shaped its character from the start.
Over the years, that modest guesthouse gradually grew into the hotel that now welcomes visitors from around the world.
In 1970, Pension Carmen was extended and transformed into a three-star hotel. A new restaurant and additional guest rooms significantly increased its capacity. Rooms were still simply furnished, with shared bathrooms on each floor, as was common at the time.
Meanwhile, tourism in Val Gardena was flourishing. The 1970 Alpine World Ski Championships marked the start of a winter tourism boom. More visitors discovered the Dolomites, and Hotel Carmen continued to grow with the times.
As tourism grew in Val Gardena, Dolomites Hotel Carmen expanded again in 1976. New rooms were added and the existing building was extensively renovated and modernised.
This phase also saw the creation of some of the hotel’s defining spaces, including the dining room and hotel bar, whose original architecture remains intact.
During the 1980s, Dolomites Hotel Carmen became known well beyond the valley thanks to its legendary nightclub, “La Folta”, one of Val Gardena’s most popular meeting places. Locals and visitors came together for nights of music, dancing and celebration.
It’s hard to imagine now: where our wellness area stands today, people once danced until the early hours. “La Folta” remains a vivid chapter in the hotel’s history and a reminder of a remarkable era.
In 1996, Dolomites Hotel Carmen underwent another expansion, acquiring much of the appearance it would retain until the 2026 renovation. A new wing was built in several stages, substantially enlarging the hotel.
Shortly afterwards, the front of the property was redesigned, adding parking spaces and an underground garage to improve guest convenience.
The third floor was subsequently renovated, creating spacious suites for the first time. These developments marked an important step towards a modern hotel experience.
Martina Perathoner took over the management of Dolomites Hotel Carmen in the early 2000s. One of her first major projects followed in 2006: a new wellness area built on the former site of the well-known La Folta nightclub.
Between March and December 2006, a spacious pool and sauna area was created, significantly enhancing the hotel’s facilities. The wellness area remains a defining part of the hotel today.
The expansion also brought official three-star Superior classification, another milestone in the hotel’s development.
In the years after the wellness area opened, Dolomites Hotel Carmen continued to evolve. Guest rooms and shared spaces were regularly refurbished, while ongoing behind-the-scenes investments brought guests greater comfort.
After years of planning, 2026 marks a new chapter: the hotel undergoes comprehensive renovation and redesign. Spacious new rooms, renewed public areas and expanded facilities put an even stronger emphasis on quality, tranquillity and wellbeing.
At the same time, Alex Baumgartner takes the helm, leading the third generation into the future of the new Dolomites Hotel Carmen.
Behind Dolomites Hotel Carmen is a dedicated team whose passion, warmth and personal attention make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.
Always ready to greet you with a smile and attend to your needs, we do our very best every day to make your stay a truly enjoyable and memorable experience.
