Rifugio Fonda Savio - AURONZO DI CADORE

This was the first mountain Hut we stayed in for our 6 day Hut to Hut trek starting from Misurina. We stayed in the dorm which is in a separate building a couple of meters away from the main building next to the generator. It was a row of 6 double decker bunk bed. It was cosy and warm. The main Hut building itself was warm and charming. The lady in charge was friendly perhaps because of our guide who visits 3 times a year with various groups. Food was good. They do have pretty decent WiFi but you will have to ask for the password and you can only get signal at a certain spot. Behind the Hut there's a flag pole with the Italian flag with great views over the valley below and afar. It was a rainy day and so there was a lot of mist and fog. But the sun came out in the late evening resulting in a beautiful sunset. We did not have a shower available to those staying in the dorm. Also there's only 1 toilet but luckily the capacity of the Hut is low. I disliked that someone used the toilet as a smoking room just because it was raining outside and it was full of cigarette smoke which I absolutely hate.

The family who runs this place should have nothing to do with the service industry. I’ve been in many mountain huts and there is no excuse. One couple came late, and the hut manager yelled at them because they were ‘late for dinner’ except they hadn’t ordered dinner. They were told to go to bed because the dining area was reserved for people eating, then they got yelled at in the morning because they hadn’t paid the night before. Another couple, the managers had ‘lost’ the record of their deposit, and had to pay again in cash. We were all huddled together in the morning like war survivors, telling stories of abusive language and bad treatment. Sure, the hut is in the mountains but they have a pully system to bring up fresh food every day. It’s only at 2300 meters, hardly a high altitude hut. The woman also locks the door at night and hides the key, which is a dangerous fire hazard and an accident waiting to happen. They don’t give receipts so I’m not entirely convinced that they pay what is owed to the Alpine Club section who owns the hut. (I’m also going to contact the Alpine Club to complain). I kept apologizing to the other tourists, telling them that not all huts are this awful. Here I am, trying to defend the usually wonderful Italian hospitality when I don’t even live in Italy. They are a blight on the whole country and not at all representative of a normally run mountain hut. Please don’t go there. They don’t deserve your money.

It is special at the end of a hard days hiking to arrive at a stunning view to a warm welcome.This is one of the best views in the Dolomites and the staff were terrific. After a hard days hiking good food was appreciated.Dinner at 6,lights off at 10. The dorms are functional rather that spacious and there are no showers. It is still a Gem that leads from and to some great routes and via ferrata.

Mary Ann 30 year plus experience in running this hut is a strict headmistress of this Refugio and quite the character. Don’t miss 6 pm sharp dinner-it’s a very delicious pre-fix meal with no wiggle room unless you’re vegetarian say say so front. Common dinning area very warm. Bring your own soap, as soap dispensers run out quick and were not replaced while I was there overnight. No electricity, no showers. Bring your own sleeping sheet as beds are equipped with comfortable blanket and pillow they are re used by guests and didn’t look like they were cleaned after each use. Coffee tastes like instant coffee and breakfast is very minimal bring snacks. Beer selection extremely limited. This is a great spot to easily reach multiple via Ferrata and other trails. I recommend the Ruggero Merlone via Ferrata trail if you’re not afraid of heights/ladders, well marked trail in blue at top of hill in front of hut to the left as you walk out of hut. See map for more details. Trail was re done with new cables 2 years ago and is in great condition!!

We booked Fonda Savio by email for the last night of our 6 day hut to hut Via Ferrata trip. The response from Florian Pornbacher was quick and helpful. She and the staff spoke good english and were helpful. She can come across as a bit forceful but if you are friendly and appreciative she is a charming host. Refugi have to be run with a firm routine or they become unworkable which perhaps other reviewers do not appreciate this hut is at 2300m! Other comments re beds beds are by nature packed in it's a mountain hut... She even saw that we were a couple and offered us the 2 person room : and made sure we didn't head off up the VF in the rain. The refuge has warm water and very clean new WC facilities. The bunk beds are wood which makes a welcome change from the squeaky metal ones many other huts in the area use. Staff wear mountain dress which is a nice touch to add atmosphere. Dinner was very tasty and filling with 3 good courses and the usual good value wine. Breakfast also filling with cheese and ham. So all in all a charming little hut with grand views down the valley. Also VF Merlone is a very airy treat not to be missed just across the glacial valley.