Grand Hotel Cadenabbia

The setting is perfect, with amazing views across Lake Como to the Swiss Alps. We stayed a few nights at the Grand Hotel Cadenabbia years ago and thought it was spectacular. Our room was spacious and clean, and the hotel had a wonderful old-world charm, like somewhere you could film a movie. We didn’t eat at the hotel, so I can’t comment on the restaurant. We hired a private boat nearby and cruised around sightseeing. It was a touristy thing to do, but our guide was informative and it was a beautiful day on the water. We also took a larger boat to nearby areas, where there was so much history. You could walk everywhere. For me, those few days felt like an amazing destination, somewhere to linger, take in the scenery, or write a book. With such a perfect location, I’d expect everything else at the hotel to be top notch too. I’m not saying it wasn’t, but that means everything from staff uniforms and clean rooms to fresh flowers, mattresses, pillows, sheets, towels, special shampoos in the boutique, memorable five-star restaurants, chefs, servers, kitchen staff, the bar and poolside, and special items in the boutiques. It was the perfect place!

We were unsure about staying after reading some reviews, but four days here turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. The staff were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The pool and rooftop terrace were beautiful, and it was a great base for exploring the northern end of the lake with easy ferry access. The rooms were simple and a little dated, but the lake view made up for it. One issue: we were told at check-in that rooftop lunch was served daily from 2:00-6:00 pm, but on both days we went during those hours, lunch wasn’t available. Otherwise, we had a fantastic stay and would highly recommend it.

The pool and bar area were wonderful, with beautiful lake views. The hotel has an older, classic look, but it’s beautiful, and our room was clean and fairly spacious. The staff were helpful, and the concierge at the front was amazing. She arranged our dinner, boat trips, and ferry times, and helped with our questions and recommendations. The location is ideal if you want to take ferries and explore Lake Como. If your stay includes breakfast, be aware it’s a very basic buffet. We had a wonderful stay and would return and recommend it.

I knew this was a very old hotel when I chose it, and decided to give it a chance. The lobby is grand, and my room had a nice lake view. I enjoyed a comfortable stay in a great central location, close to ferry ports and almost next door to Villa Carlotta. The pool and terrace are beautiful spots for a drink overlooking the lake, and there are several restaurants within walking distance. The staff were A+. The hotel does need heavy renovation. I spoke with the manager, who said renovations would probably start next year. Breakfast selection could have been better, but overall I had a very nice experience.