Domus Bellagio

Domus Bellagio was the most disappointing of the 15 places my wife and I stayed around the lake. We’re 61 and highly educated, and several of those stays were in four-star hotels with excellent breakfasts and services such as pools and gyms. Here we paid 213 euros a night, more than at other four-star hotels, and got a very poor experience. This felt like a house converted into separate rooms, not a hotel. There was no 24-hour staff, only a receptionist during the day, and it’s high up the hill, far from the lake and Bellagio center. The receptionist was quite unfriendly from the start. When I asked about breakfast, she said it was one or two croissants and a coffee. I said that seemed very poor for the price, with no eggs, yogurt, ham, muesli, or protein at all. Her response was simply that this was what they served. I don’t recommend it.

The terrace view is a 10/10, and this was a great way to stay away from the hustle and bustle. Up in the Bellagio mountains, you get incredible views and feel among the locals. The rooms were clean, and there’s a shuttle into the city center from 10 to 6:30pm. There are local coffee shops and restaurants nearby, the sort locals go to.

There was no proper reception or anyone available for basic questions, and there was no food service, not even snacks or water. The hotel also offered no room service or amenities. Getting a taxi was a mess. They gave me a stack of old business cards for three taxi companies, which I had to pick up myself, and none answered. When I told the receptionist, she just shrugged and said that if they had no cars, there was no choice. No solution, apology, or alternative. The staff were shockingly rude and unhelpful from the moment I arrived, with no sense of hospitality. At night it was extremely noisy, and I could barely sleep. It felt like no one was keeping order. This was a disaster from beginning to end. I’d never return and strongly advise others to stay away. I don't think this place should be allowed to operate.

I paid €250 through Booking, and it wasn't worth it. The room was poorly maintained, with several wet patches on the wall and terrible drainage in the shower.