Hotel Barchetta Excelsior

The bed was quite uncomfortable, which is a letdown in a hotel that otherwise feels close to five star quality. A good mattress topper would be an economical improvement, and locally made Italian toiletries would be a nice step up from the satisfactory shampoos and lotions. The smooth, high quality linens kept us comfortable temperature-wise. The rooms and outdoor areas show real attention to detail: clean carpets outside, spotless windows and inviting furniture. The location is right in the town square, making it easy to walk to shops, restaurants and scenery, especially the evening mountain views. We could have spent the whole day nearby. Boat tour tickets are across the street and the funicular is a block away. The lake views match the superb location, and the front desk, lounge and bell staff were all top notch, courteous and engaging.

We stopped for cocktails while waiting for our group to gather, and it was nice to have outdoor tables where we could sit with our drinks in the fresh air. The little bar is just inside on the left near the center square. The gentlemen working there were helpful and spoke excellent English, so ordering was easy. Restrooms for customers are behind the front desk, up some stairs. Everyone I met was sweet and helpful.

We had a loud recurring alarm from the neighboring building, which is undergoing construction, on two of our three nights. It was so loud I could hear it through the double glazing and earplugs, even with a pillow over my ears. The first night it went on until around 02:00, and on the third night until 01:00, seriously disrupting our sleep. After the first night, staff said it happens when it's windy. When it happened again, a manager confirmed it had occurred before because of the wind and had been an issue they knew about for at least a month. We couldn't reach a satisfactory solution with the hotel, so we're now complaining through Booking.com. Don't stay here.

Go for the lake view, it's worth it. We had Christmas lunch, so missed the usual food at Ristorante Bistro, but the meal was excellent for the price. Breakfast was solid too. The hotel's quality is obvious, and I nearly booked the Hilton near Villa Olmo or the Sheraton in Cernobbio because of chain loyalty points. For a visitor without a car, though, the location here is so convenient. The one-way ferry to Bellagio takes two hours, so it's worth thinking about where you stay. The hotel is a couple of blocks from the train station and Carrefour, directly in front of the ferry station, between two pharmacies, and next to a McDonald's for late night snacks. The Como Cathedral is close enough to make an easy landmark when walking back. It's also in the middle of many postcard views of the city, so you can show friends and family where you stayed.