Hotel Leonardo da Vinci

There are some great restaurants nearby, and our children also loved the karting trek in Erba. The hotel is in the small town of Erba, around half an hour from both Como and Lecco. We booked through Booking and messaged the hotel that we were a family needing two adjacent rooms, one double and one twin. The staff prepared exactly what we needed, with a connecting door between the rooms, which was very convenient. The rooms were impeccably clean, and all the staff were lovely, helpful, and accommodating. Free parking was available, and breakfast was great, with fresh vegetables and fruit, eggs, yogurt, croissants, sweets, cheese, salamis, and more.

The room had working AC, and we were allowed in an hour before check-in. There’s plenty of parking right outside and a nice patio, though it was often occupied. It’s also within driving distance of Lake Como if you’re after a budget stay. The evening options were limited, with no bar, gym, pool, or place to relax over refreshments. The Google listing still showed pool and sauna photos, which were misleading since the pool had recently closed. Hallways smelled strongly musty and dusty, and the shower head wouldn’t stay at its set height. Check-in staff seemed rude and distracted. Breakfast leaned heavily toward sweets, with little savory food, and the pastries and bread weren’t very fresh. Restaurant service was generally okay, but the meal was awful: very salty and fishy, poor portions, and overpriced. We couldn’t eat it. It was the worst food of our trip.

That older hotel dog was a mellow, friendly nap-lover and so easy to pet. I wish I’d taken a picture of him. The hotel itself was clean, with nice rooms and a great view of the nearby mountain. Staff were friendly, and breakfast was fresh and tasty. It’s a quiet spot, and Erba’s small town is walkable, though you’ll need a car for elsewhere. The outdoor furniture is under a roof, which meant we could sit out and enjoy a fantastic storm with lightning and torrential rain.

We liked this place enough that instead of trying other hotels, we came back here every night. I travel for a living, and it’s one of my top picks. The family-run hotel is beautiful and spotless, with great food and fantastic service. Staff speak several languages, and they even helped translate some business forms for me. It’s in a safe area, with trails nearby and anything we wanted within ten minutes. My best pick for 2021!