Hotel Alu, June 22-25, 2010, 4 nights
http://www.hotelalu.it/
Via Btg. Morbegno 20
23032 Bormio, Italy
Location: right at the base of Bormio 2000m gondola. It's away from the town center, but it's a close enough walk that it's no trouble. In the town center there are plenty of places to eat and there is a market nearby. Bormio's ideally situated for Stelvio, Morirolo, Gavia, Passo del Tonale, Passo del Bernina, Livigno, etc.
Rate: 65 euros per person per day, mezza pensione (half board). Very reasonable, I thought, for a quality hotel. 50-70 euros per person per day was the going range for the time of year we were there. Rates increased towards the end of June into early July.
Rooms: Hotel Alu had the most updated, modern rooms we found on this trip. They had been completely renovated within the last couple of years and they looked great. Kind of Ikea-like, but very comfortable and just, well, clean. At the same time, maybe too sterile? It seemed a little devoid of atmosphere.
Large, clean bathroom. Didn't try the bidet.
I thought the bed was quite comfortable.
Food: Hotel Alu had, I think, the best food of the hotels we visited. Breakfast was still the usual muesli, yogurt, breads, etc., but they always had a couple of extra things. Dinners were superb. Each of these places would give a 4-course meal. Start w/salad and appetizers. Then a soup or small plate, then a main entree, then dessert. At breakfast each morning the staff left the choices for that evening's dinner. There would always be three items to choose from in each of the second and third courses. They knew we spoke English so they'd have an English version for us--they did the same for the German, Dutch, and Italian speakers. We never struck out on the choices, i.e. we were always find something that was very agreeable. For dessert, they had the best strawberry gelato I've ever tasted. And a big ol' bowl full of it, too.
Staff: The meal staff was very friendly, though they didn't speak much English. We got on well and enjoyed their service. Chiara Pedranzini of the owners and she was really the face of the hotel for us. She's young, but very good at running the business. She's very attentive, speaks English very well (as does Katia and some of the other front desk staff we dealt with).
Hotel Alu is trying to extend its reach out to cyclists, though I expect cyclists are still new for them. They are looking for ways to attract them. There were several while we there, but they had room for more. One cool thing they do is wash you r cycling gear for you. At the end of each day you bring your dirty clothes down to the front desk and they'd have it clean and dry by next morning, no charge. Unfortunately, it was limited to just the cycling clothes.
Recommend? Yes, it was a nice hotel, very good food. Great staff. Next time, though, I would be very interested in trying Hotel Funivia:
http://www.hotelfunivia.it/en_hotel.aspx
It was located just a block away from Hotel Alu. Funivia seems to be very in-tune with cyclists. While we were climbing the Stelvio we saw numerous Funivia staff, on bikes (easily recognizable in their Hotel Funivia kit), riding with guests and a Hotel Funivia van running up and down the mountain urging people on, helping with mechanicals, carrying food and gear, it was impressive. I don't know if that was a service included in room cost, or if it was extra. Funivia's rates were very similar to Alu's. Hotel Alu's trying to attract cyclists, Funivia seems to be way ahead of Alu's efforts.
Another hotel that was recommended, and looked impressive was Hotel Baita dei Pini:
http://www.baitadeipini.com/
It was a pretty location, a little closer to town. It was a little more than Alu and Funivia, but not much more--maybe 5 euros/day/person more.
So if/when we go again, Funivia's next. Then after that Baita dei Pini.
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