FORESTIS Dolomites

We loved our relaxing experience at the forestis hotel. The mountains certainly pull you into your spirit and you can’t stop looking at them as they change appearance with the sun. The pool and sauna experience was fantastic. As was the delicious food and superb staff. Rooms were minimalistic with a full view of the dolomite’s as nature’s artwork.

We spent a few days in this gorgeous hotel. Everything was perfect from first moments until end. Service was top-class in smallest details. All public areas were very clean and perfect condition. Our tower suite was exceptional! What a view from big windows and own terrace. Food was excellent everywhere. Dinners in panorama restaurant were great and also the garden terrace had great dishes to offer. Breakfast was also super, so many different choices. We want to mention separately about our dinner waiter Sandra. She made excellent job, friendly, funny, real professional. Pool area was also so nice, indoor and outdoor heated pools and perfect service also in the area and sunbeds. We had really relaxing time here, hope we are able to return someday. Highly recommended of you want to have peace and relaxation.

The air conditioner is built close to the bed, during intensive work the bed shakes and vibrates. We turned off the air conditioner. We waited about 40-50 minutes for the salad in the restaurant on the street, although there was only one table besides us. We were also informed that the restaurant kitchen is open until 12 a.m., but they did not specify that the main kitchen until 10.00, thus we had a problem. The employee in the reception area of the pool and massage seemed cold and indifferent to us, maybe it's just our vision. The road from the city to the hotel by serpentine takes 30 minutes, it's not an easy road. Food delivery to the room costs from 20 to 50 euros. It's expensive, for delivery. The territory is small, and it's hard to leave due to the difficult road. Our room cost about $2,300, I think it's expensive for this place. But the view is wonderful, it's true.

For a hotel that trades on views and price point, FORESTIS lacks the one thing true luxury requires: a deep understanding of guest experience. Front-of-house staff need far better training in how to treat well-travelled international guests — from tone of voice, to cultural sensitivity, to the basics of hospitality like not suggesting a pregnant guest walk down a hill or placing champagne in the room of non-drinkers. The Dolomites are serene, but the service here is inconsistent, inexperienced, and inattentive — not suitable for travellers used to Eastern hospitality or the standards of world-class luxury. This was a disappointing stay. FORESTIS failed to meet the basic expectations of luxury hospitality. We would not return, and cannot recommend it to travellers who value service. Choose a true luxury hotel — one that treats people as valued guests, not transactions. There are many other properties in the area that have luxury views and a better reputation and experience in hospitality and service.

1. Travel Disruption and Poor Communication We travelled to FORESTIS from Venice by train, which unfortunately broke down, delaying us by over 3 hours. We had pre-booked a hotel-arranged taxi due to claims that no transport would be available at arrival — which was misleading, as we later discovered a taxi rank outside the station charging significantly less. We immediately notified the hotel via WhatsApp and phone about the delay. Instead of offering empathy or assistance, we were informed that we would be charged €50 per hour for the delay and €100 for the journey — even though the driver is a hotel employee. 2. Hostile Welcome and Lack of Empathy Upon arrival, we were met with hostility from the front-of-house manager, Omar. Rather than being welcomed after a stressful journey, we were accused of lying about the train delay — something clearly outside our control. Attempts to discuss the excessive transport fees were dismissed; Omar interrupted repeatedly and stated, “This is not a negotiation.” There was no acknowledgment that I was five months pregnant, no recognition of travel fatigue, and no effort to provide basic comfort. When we invited the manager to sit with us in the reception area, he chose to stand over us, escalating the tension. We voiced that we were feeling unwelcome and overwhelmed, yet he refused to give us space. At one point, he physically stepped in front of another staff member to prevent me from speaking with her. When asked to speak to the general manager, he falsely claimed he was the most senior figure on-site — only later admitting he was not. The emphasis was entirely on costs, logistics and penalties, not on care, hospitality, or basic emotional intelligence. 3. Misleading Massage Booking & Cancellation Charges Before arrival, we were urged to pre-book massages due to limited availability. When we asked if we could decide on arrival, the request was ignored and the massage was confirmed via WhatsApp — with no formal confirmation. Given our delay, it was clear we would not make the appointment. We informed the hotel at 3:00 PM and only arrived at 8:15 PM — yet were still reminded of cancellation charges. When we questioned the lack of confirmation, we were told to take it up with American Express, despite no formal record of the booking being sent. 4. Luxury Without Genuine Hospitality Although the hotel showed flexibility in dispatching a car, the service at check-in was entirely transactional. Staff appeared inexperienced and poorly trained in handling guests with care or respect. At €1,000 per night, this felt wholly out of place. Luxury is more than a view — it’s about how people are made to feel. And at FORESTIS, we felt invisible, unimportant, and unwelcome. 5. Dining Experience The dining was overall fine, though underwhelming for a property of this calibre. Dishes lacked depth in flavour and creativity, and the service didn’t meet expectations for well-travelled international guests. That said, we appreciated the team’s effort to accommodate off-menu requests — a small gesture that did not go unnoticed and is worth acknowledging. 6. Staff Shout-Out Credit to the junior spa and restaurant staff who were warm, professional, and courteous. Their genuine attitude and effort stood in sharp contrast to the front-of-house experience. Final Verdict This was a disappointing stay. FORESTIS failed to meet the basic expectations of luxury hospitality. We would not return, and cannot recommend it to travellers who value professionalism, empathy, and service. Choose a true luxury hotel — one that treats people as valued guests, not transactions.