VALCASTELLO
DOLOMITES MOUNTAIN CHÂTEAU & POLO CLUB
A historic private château in the Italian Dolomites, where heritage, hospitality, Alpine lifestyle and polo come together.
A UNIQUE PLACE TO STAY
Valcastello Château & Polo Club is an elegant 19th-century private residence located between San Candido and Dobbiaco (Toblach), in South Tyrol, Northern Italy, close to the Austrian border.
Built on the ruins of an ancient castle and owned by the d’Acquarone family for three generations, the Château sits within a private 20-hectare estate, surrounded by the forests of Alta Pusteria and overlooking the Sexten Dolomites, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.
Today, Valcastello combines the intimacy and character of a historic family residence with bespoke hospitality, outdoor experiences and its own Polo Club.
Located within the 3 Zinnen Dolomites ski area, the estate is less than 30 minutes from the Olympic ski slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo. In summer, the surrounding landscape becomes a natural playground for woodland walks and hiking, mountain golf, tennis and polo, making Valcastello a year-round Alpine destination. Discover more about Val Castello and its connection to the world of polo.
A HISTORY OF ALPINE HOSPITALITY
The area between San Candido and Dobbiaco has long attracted European aristocracy and the Habsburg world.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria — Sisi — was a frequent visitor to Dobbiaco, drawn by the purity of its Alpine air and mountain waters, renowned for their restorative qualities.
Valcastello has its own longstanding royal connection. Members of the Italian Royal Family were frequent guests at the Château, a heritage remembered today in the King’s Suite.
This tradition of private hospitality continues today, combining the atmosphere and privacy of a historic family home with the services and experiences of a contemporary luxury retreat.
A YEAR-ROUND ALPINE DESTINATION
Valcastello offers two distinct ways to experience the Dolomites.
In winter, guests have direct access to the 3 Zinnen Dolomites ski area and can reach the Olympic ski slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo in less than 30 minutes. Within the estate itself, the Valcastello Polo Club offers snow polo throughout the winter season.
In summer, the forests and mountains surrounding the Château provide a setting for walking and hiking, mountain golf and tennis, alongside summer polo and curated outdoor experiences.
This combination of sport, nature and private hospitality makes Valcastello a distinctive base from which to experience the Dolomites throughout the year.
VALCASTELLO POLO CLUB
Located within the private estate, Valcastello Polo Club is one of Valcastello’s most distinctive features.
During winter, the Club offers a season-long programme of snow polo, practice chukkers, private games and boutique tournaments. In summer, polo continues as part of the estate’s sporting programme.
Guests can therefore stay at the Château, play polo within the estate and combine the sport with skiing in winter or the outdoor lifestyle of the Dolomites in summer.
MILANO CORTINA 2026
In February 2026, Valcastello Polo Club was selected by the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Organising Committee to host the Italy vs France Snow Polo Showcase.
The event was staged through the collaboration of FISE — Federazione Italiana Sport Equestri, FIP — Federation of International Polo and FFP — Fédération Française de Polo.
The Showcase brought together sport, institutions, international partners and selected guests, marking an important moment in the continuing heritage of snow polo in the Cortina and Dolomites area.
THE VALCASTELLO SNOW POLO SEASON
Building on the success of the 2026 Showcase, Valcastello Polo Club will host its Snow Polo Season from January to February 2027.
Rather than a single tournament, the Season is conceived as an intimate sporting and social calendar within the private estate, combining snow polo, fieldside hospitality, private gatherings, gala dinners and exclusive events at the Château.
The concept brings together sport, hospitality and Alpine lifestyle, offering players, guests, partners and brands a distinctive way to experience winter in the Dolomites.
THE VALCASTELLO NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The estate is also home to the Valcastello Natural History Collection, founded by the Dukes d’Acquarone, explorers and passionate naturalists.
Today preserved as a private museum dedicated to natural history, exploration and conservation, the Collection also supports conservation initiatives.
Its distinctive 500 m² space provides an exceptional setting for private events, cultural projects, screenings, corporate presentations and collaborations with international luxury brands.
Directly connected to the Château, the museum can operate independently or as an extension of the main residence, accommodating up to 200 guests for receptions and 100–130 guests for seated events.
PRIVATE EVENTS & BRAND EXPERIENCES
Beyond private stays and polo, Valcastello provides a highly distinctive setting for corporate gatherings, private dinners, product presentations, fashion and editorial shoots, film productions and bespoke brand experiences.
The Château, Natural History Collection, Polo Club and surrounding grounds can be used independently or together, allowing events to be tailored around individual requirements.
Its defining characteristic is privacy. Rather than functioning as a conventional hotel or public event venue, Valcastello offers guests and brands the flexibility and atmosphere of a private Alpine estate.
FACTS & FIGURES
THE PROPERTY
19th-century historic private Château
20 hectares of private estate
Built on the ruins of an ancient castle
Owned by the d’Acquarone family for three generations
Panoramic views of the Sexten Dolomites
LOCATION
South Tyrol · Italian Dolomites · Northern Italy
Between San Candido and Dobbiaco (Toblach)
Close to the Austrian border
Within the 3 Zinnen Dolomites ski area
Less than 30 minutes from the Olympic ski slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo
WINTER
3 Zinnen Dolomites skiing
Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympic ski slopes
Snow Polo
Winter hiking & Alpine experiences
Private guides & curated activities
SUMMER
Woodland walks & hiking
Mountain golf
Tennis
Polo
Curated outdoor experiences
PRIVATE HOSPITALITY
Historic private Château accommodation
Private chef & dining
Concierge services
Wellness
Ski & mountain guides
Private transfers
Bespoke local experiences
VALCASTELLO POLO CLUB
Polo Club within the private estate
Permanent Snow Polo field
27 polo pony boxes
Practice chukkers & private games
Boutique tournaments
Summer Polo
Snow Polo Season January–February
MILANO CORTINA 2026
Selected by the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Organising Committee to host:
ITALY vs FRANCE
SNOW POLO SHOWCASE
In collaboration with:
FISE · FIP · FFP
NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTION & EVENTS
Private Natural History Museum
500 m² event space
Direct internal connection to the Château
Independent private entrance
Up to 200 guests for standing receptions
100–130 guests for seated dinners
Private events · screenings · cultural projects · brand experiences
VALCASTELLO IN ONE SENTENCE
A private historic château in the Italian Dolomites where heritage, bespoke hospitality, year-round Alpine experiences and polo come together within a single estate. Discover more about Val Castello and its connection to the world of polo.
