Hotel Sporting Cologno

It’s a nice, quiet place, but definitely not a 4-star hotel, 3 stars at most. The reception staff were all very helpful with our extra requests. The cleaners were a big disappointment, though: there was dust everywhere, the carpet hadn’t been vacuumed, and the shower cubicle was dirty and covered in limescale. The air conditioner wasn’t working, and the lift was too slow.

Hotel Sporting is tidy, affordable, and a great experience overall, though it’s a long way from the center. The area has a local charm of its own. The bathrooms looked great and were really clean, the shower heads were good quality, and the room was cleaned regularly. The beds were comfortable, and nothing was stolen. It’s a little strange that reception is on the lower floor. The staff sometimes joke with tourists that they don’t know English. I couldn’t tell whether it was real or a running gag, but they’ll help with whatever you need.

Check-in wasn’t a pleasant experience. Some of the staff didn’t seem very friendly or helpful. On the plus side, we were leaving before breakfast hours, and they prepared a takeaway bag for us. The location wasn’t convenient for getting to Milan, though it’s close to the highways, and parking is available if you’re renting a car.

The team here made the biggest impression on me. They all spoke English even though my Italian is atrocious, and the service stayed fantastic throughout. The staff have different personalities, but every one of them was welcoming and clearly committed. As a chef, I know how exhausting service work can be and how hard it is to stay motivated, so seeing that consistency was the highlight of my stay. I’d give them 6 stars if I could. The restaurant was just as good: great atmosphere, quick service, and superb food with lovely presentation and flavours. Each course was cleared within a minute, and the next arrived right away. If high quality Italian cuisine is your thing, this is the hotel for you. The rooms were lovely too, with a beautiful bathroom and a clean, comfortable space. I’m in Italy to appear on a TV show, which has been a new experience I never imagined having. Even with all that excitement, the hotel staff’s commitment stood out most.