Hotel Excelsior Splendide

The room was so uncomfortable that we left a night early and spent our last night at an airport hotel. I barely slept on the bed, which felt like a box spring, and the old, worn linens didn’t help. Some pieces of the wooden floor were missing too. The common areas were charming, and the staff were kind and helpful. The hotel is right in central Bellagio beside the ferry dock, but the rooms definitely didn’t feel three-star.

Breakfast was simple but fine, though I noticed there was no hair conditioner or body cream. The building is big and a little old-fashioned, with high ceilings and a retro feel that gives it some character. The location is excellent if you’re traveling without a car, right in the center beside the port and main pedestrian streets.

We could easily have stayed longer at Hotel Excelsior Splendide. Our corner suite had gorgeous Lake Como views, a roomy bathroom, and four French-style doors that opened all the way. The staff were great, and breakfast was delicious. Its location is one of the best in Bellagio, and the on-site pool was a nice place to take a break. The room keys were a fun detail, shaped almost like little golden boat anchors, and it was convenient to leave them at reception while we wandered around Lake Como. The hotel’s restaurant also made really good pizza.

The rooms and food were terrible, though the service was good. When we asked, they brought us a kettle and tea bags. I liked the hotel’s historic character, and the location was excellent.