Hotel Riviera

Breakfast and coffee in Como were the best we’ve tasted. The owner, Andre, also made us feel welcome throughout our stay. We’re especially grateful to Adriano, who found our beloved pink bear and arranged registered mail to get it back to us. He answered all our questions patiently during the three-week wait. His care and kindness really touched us.

The location is the one real plus. The rooms are dated, though okay for the price, and they were very cold. What happened with the receptionist, who I assume is the owner, Silvia, was completely unacceptable. She accused us of taking a muesli bar from breakfast, then argued with us aggressively without making a solid point. We were paying guests. The gentleman at reception tried to calm things down, so we didn’t take the matter further. Her derogatory tone came close to bullying and was far from professional. It left a terrible mark on our trip.

Being so near the train station and ferry port was really convenient, and our room stayed clean and comfortable. Breakfast was complimentary, fresh, and made even nicer by the lovely woman serving it. I’m sorry I didn’t get her name. The welcome set the tone right away. The hotel had checked when we’d arrive, and partway through our walk from the station, staff were already there to greet us and help with our luggage. We were offered prosecco on the balcony with spectacular views, and Matteo made check-in easy and pleasant. For dinner we went to their sister company's restaurant, which also had magnificent views. Davide even drove us there in a classic convertible, such a fun touch. We’d absolutely stay again. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality.

We did have a clean bed and bathroom, which is why I gave three stars, but the stay was very disappointing. I’d booked a balcony room through Expedia, then was told on arrival that we couldn’t have it because we were staying for just one night. The receptionist said those rooms were kept for longer stays. The hotel also seemed short-staffed, with one person handling everything. She wouldn’t let us use the lovely outdoor breakfast tables with their amazing views, saying serving both indoor and outdoor tables was too difficult for her.