The First Cortina, a five-star hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo, will open in early December 2026 with a 1,200sq m spa across two levels, which makes it a new luxury hotel spa in the Dolomites. The spa brings the wellness philosophy of Bali-based Revivo to the Alpine setting. The opening also expands the European presence of its owner-operator, The Pavilions Hotels and Resorts.
The hotel sits in Italy and is a complete conversion of the former Hotel Splendid Venezia, led by Studio Marincola Architects. It will have 76 rooms and suites, and each one has a private balcony overlooking the surrounding mountains. The First Hotels is one of three brands managed by the group, alongside Revivo and The Pavilions.
The First Cortina to open with Revivo Spa in the Dolomites
The group structures its portfolio around those three brands: The Pavilions for experiential hotels and resorts, The First for contemporary luxury urban properties, and Revivo for wellness-focused resorts and spas. The Revivo Spa concept at The First Cortina draws on the group’s sister wellness brand, whose integrated wellness resort in Bali, Indonesia, combines Eastern healing traditions with contemporary spa and recovery approaches. Selected elements of that offering will be adapted for the Alpine setting.
The property, formerly the Hotel Splendid Venezia has undergone a complete conversion led by Studio Marincola Architects / The First Cortina
Andrea Pierini, area general manager for The First Hotels, described the concept in an exclusive comment to Spa Business. “Revivo Spa at The First Cortina brings the philosophy and expertise of Revivo’s fully integrated wellness resort in Bali to the heart of the Dolomites. Across 1,200sq m over two levels, it combines time-honoured healing traditions with modern, evidence-led wellness, alongside exceptional facilities and state-of-the-art equipment. Selected elements of Revivo’s transformative wellness and recovery offering complete an authentically Alpine experience dedicated to restoration and wellbeing.”
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The spa itself was designed by Gherardi Architetti, who chose natural materials and textures to reflect the surrounding mountain landscape. Revivo Spa will have six treatment rooms and a wellness programme that pairs traditional healing practices with contemporary, evidence-led approaches to wellbeing and recovery. Starpool has provided facilities for the spa, including its Zerobody Dry Float bed.
Facilities will include an indoor swimming pool that opens to the outdoors through sliding glass doors / The First Cortina
The facilities extend from the interior to the mountain air outside. An indoor swimming pool opens to the outdoors through sliding glass doors, and an outdoor poolside area with sun loungers gives guests space to relax. The spa also includes a sauna and a traditional hammam, a steam bath in the Middle Eastern tradition.
The spa will also have a gym / The First Cortina
Beyond the water and heat facilities, the spa will have a fully equipped gym, a hair salon, and nail and beauty treatments. The wider hotel adds two dining venues: Zuma, which serves contemporary Japanese cuisine, and Velo, the hotel’s signature Italian restaurant. Both open alongside the spa when The First Cortina welcomes its first guests in early December 2026.
For more background, see our guide to designing successful public spaces.
Jane Doe is an American architectural editor with a deep-rooted passion for design and the built environment. She holds a degree in Architecture from Columbia University, where she developed a strong foundation in both architectural theory and urban studies. With over a decade of editorial experience, Jane specializes in shaping content that bridges architecture, urbanism, and cultural discourse. Her work spans leading design publications, exhibition texts, and digital platforms, where she is known for her clear, engaging narratives and her ability to translate complex spatial ideas for a broad audience. Jane is particularly interested in issues of equity, sustainability, and the evolving role of cities in a changing world.