Britannia Excelsior

The restaurant is nicely decorated and the food was good, though at peak times it got very crowded and the staff seemed stretched. Reception and the lounge are well furnished, with very comfortable chairs and sofas. The hotel has been extended a lot, but the decor now needs serious investment. Our room was fine for sleeping, but there was no drawer space for clothes, the wardrobe door was hanging off, and three bulbs were missing. There was no tea or coffee setup, and the hardboard floor panels squeaked and creaked constantly, so walking quietly was impossible. It's definitely a three-star hotel, just about.

The self-service meals had plenty of choice and were adequate, though with so many people to feed, the food wasn't always top quality. The Italian ice cream was wonderful. The staff were friendly and spoke good English, and our room was comfortable and well cared for. Right by the lake, the hotel has magnificent views and makes a good base for excursions elsewhere. We'd certainly come back.

The buffet offered plenty of seats and a varied selection, though the food was average and a few dishes were poor. The pork hock, for example, was dried out, and the tea and coffee tasted cheap. Wine and beer with meals were okay. The waiters were excellent, friendly, and very helpful. We were on an all-inclusive week, and the staff worked hard to please guests. Our room was clean and suited our needs, and check-in was quick and easy. The staff throughout were friendly and helpful. The hotel looks beautiful, though parts could use a little TLC. The downstairs bar felt small for a hotel this size. Some spirits seemed a bit weak, and the lager came only in small glasses, but you could go back for another within reason. Several coaches of schoolchildren arrived, but we found them well behaved and had no problems. We liked the hotel and hope to return. It is a three-star place. Coffee and tea facilities in the room would have been nice.

We paid an extra 50euro for a lake-facing room, and I think it was worth it. The bedrooms were nicely furnished, and the setting and hotel itself are beautiful. Staff were friendly and helpful, and they all speak English if you don't speak Italian. The food was tasty and filling, just what you need when you're doing lots of walking on trips. I'd recommend this hotel to everyone I know.