Where to stay in Dolomites

This year, I am off to the Dolomites again with my trusty sidekick. I have been recieving a bit of abuse for choosing quite places to stay (Arraba, Vipiteno)last year. I am looking for somewhere with a few spots for sherry and socialising in the evenings, a bit of a bullshit and inexpensive beds. I liked the look of Cortina, but would like to hear your thoughts. Any ideas???
rb

I stayed in Torbole at the northern end of Lake Garda last year. West of the Dolomites but a very nice place. Even the posh restaurants seemed cheap in comparison to the UK. They have everything from a lakeside campsite to 4 star hotels. It's a fairly small town but pleasant enough to find something to do if you fancy a day off the bike. There's even a small beach.

Our hotel was Club Hotel La Vella/Caravella which is a 2 hotel complex with a shared swimming pool. One is 3*, the other 4*. We booked into the 3* but got an upgrade to the 4*.

Riva la Garda is nearby if you want Italian chic.

Cortina is not going to be cheap but will certainly have the facilities required!

Nice campsite about 2 miles south of the town, walkable distance for en evening out.

Iain

Cortina is beautiful but is THE place to be as it is where all the valleys converge. As a result it is overpriced and traffic is terrible (good news for the two-wheeler!)

The campsite is very good, if pricey. You just cross the road and can take a cable car straight to the mountain top and spend a morning/day walking and eating and drinking if you want.

The further you go away from Cortina, the cheper things become but the further you have to travel to get into the heart of things.

Canazei is also fantastic and has a little shop (spar type of thing) with a butcher's at the back. They sell locally produced meat which is out of this world. Unless you're a veggie I guess

Again, worth checking the weather. The first time I went I stayed at a campsite at the base of the Pale di San Martino and saw absolutely nothing. Nothing at all. Big mountains everywhere and I just saw fog and cloud. The campsite owner lent us a lump hammer and some 12" nails as there was nothing but rock!

Since then have been there at more sensible times of the year and really enjoyed it.

Did you know the Dolomites are unique geologically. They are made from a sort of coral and Dolomite is actually recognised as a mineral.



oops.

Sorry

Stayed in Bolzano last year

Not crazy busy, but plenty of places to stay, eat and drink. Wonderful scenery and scary roads close by, including the Stelvio.

Having tried (unsuccessfully) to find the hotel car park, I asked two police motorcyclists (on 1150Rs) and they escorted me there! Nearly scared the other half to death - she wondered what the hell I'd been up to!

Thanks for all the feedback - any one else any ideas before I head off again?
Hope to use the Ski lodges again, with underground ski parks converted, the usual spread of tools and lubes, the compressor and power washers - imagine that sort of treatment here in the UK - there must be a market for this sort of thing!

rb