This feature was produced in association with Hotel La Genzianella
When you put your own cycling adventure together, where you end up staying can make or break your holiday.
But getting it right needn’t be a gamble if you do your homework. So what does the ideal bike hotel look like? Well, pretty much like Hotel La Genzianella in northern Italy, actually.
This exquisite family-run hotel sits in the resort of Bormio in the Italian Alps, not far from the iconic Stelvio Pass of Giro d’Italia fame.
Little wonder, then, that for the past 13 years La Genzianella has welcomed cyclists from all over the world, who come to test themselves against this legendary climb and to ride the wild mountains that gaze down on Bormio from all sides.
Book yourself into one of the hotel’s elegant rooms or suites, and you can be sure that your bike will be put up in style, too.
The hotel boasts a large, secure storage area, complete with benches and shoe racks, that’s monitored by CCTV, and there are also bike washing facilities, an excellent selection of tools to take care of mechanicals, plus a laundry service to make sure you’ve always got a fresh set of cycling duds to explore the spectacular scenery in.
And La Genzianella’s friendly staff can help you do just that, too, providing maps and advice about local routes. Or, if you upgrade to the hotel’s Bike Plus package, you can look forward to daily guided tours (from May to September) which are suitable for all levels of rider and include a support vehicle.
And when you’re off the bike and looking to chill, the hotel has all you need, as every room comes with a flatscreen TV, Wi-Fi, and incredible views.
Or if you’re feeling more sociable there’s always the hotel’s lively bar. Alternatively, you could always head to the in-house spa to relax in one of the two saunas or have any aching limbs soothed by one of the hotel’s masseurs.
And then there’s the food.
La Genzianella has a formidable reputation when it comes to dining, and because its chefs have looked after cyclists for so long, they just get what it takes to keep a rider rolling and happy.
The inclusive buffet breakfasts are crammed with healthy, locally sourced ingredients and will provide you with all the energy you’ll need to ride those climbs in that intoxicating Alpine air.
Lunches are a similarly sumptuous affair with a frequently refreshed à la carte menu, while in the evenings you can even treat yourself to a five-course feast.
And if you’ve got special dietary needs, don’t worry, they’ve even got meals and menus that cater for that, too. Oh, and if you’re a fan of great wine, you’re also in luck – the hotel stocks over 100 local and Italian varieties.
Honestly, what more could you ask for? Prices start from £84 per night based on two sharing, while group discounts are available upon enquiry. See genzianella.com/en for details.