Hotel Arnica, Madonna di Campiglio

Hotel Arnica is available on a bed and breakfast basis, with the option to upgrade to half board, served at its sister property, Hotel Ariston. Thanks to its central location, guests also have easy access to a wide variety of local restaurants, offering something to suit every taste and budget.

Breakfast is served in-house each morning, with a selection of both hot and cold options available. Guests who choose to upgrade to half board will enjoy dinner at Hotel Ariston, where a set menu is served daily.

Please note that in Italy, it is common for hotels not to include tap water during meal service. Still and sparkling bottled water are readily available to purchase locally.

Madonna is up there with Cortina as one of Italy's most exclusive ski resorts. This is another venue where posing can be more important than skiing. It's also where the young crowd come to promenade, party and, occasionally, ski. It's a shame more skiing and boarding isn't done, because the 90km of pistes offer good stuff for all, particularly beginners and intermediates. Experts will find a few testing black runs and some off-piste. Boarders come here in hordes, which is partly to do with the nightlife. The snow is usually fine, piste maintenance is first-class, as are the lifts, which keep queues to a minimum. More skiing is only a bus ride away, at Folgarida.

Most visitors come back time and again for the general ambience of the place. Madonna is a well-planned, modern 'traditional' resort, with great scenery to match. There are posh hotels, excellent restaurants and hectic nightlife. These tend to cost a bit more than peanuts, so bring your credit card. Oh yes - don't forget your mobile phone, either. In Madonna everyone seems to have one. If you like to be part of the in-crowd, this is one of the best possible choices, but be sure to bring your glad rags. The skiing is decent and should be exploited, but please remember it's not cool to be on the slopes before 11am…