Hotel La Bussola

We had dinner with an incredible view, and breakfast had a good range and quality. We enjoyed our room even though we hadn't booked one with a lake view. After visiting lots of hotels around the Italian Lakes, this was the best value for us. We drove and parked easily, and the staff welcomed us warmly. Everyone there deserves credit, they really seem to enjoy their work. It rained during our stay, so we're already looking forward to going back.

Getting here by train? Book your taxi ahead, though the hotel managed to get us out of trouble when we hadn't. We had mixed feelings about dinner at the restaurant, but the rest of the stay was a highlight of our holiday. The pool and views were amazing, even from our partial lake-view room. Breakfast was brilliant, the rooms comfortable, and the staff nice. It's a short walk to the centre of Orta. We hope to return.

We loved the breakfast, especially the donuts, and all of it was included in the price. The staff were warm and thoughtful throughout, clearly proud of their service, and gave us good tips on where to eat and shop. This was my second year in a row at la Bussola, and it's only gotten better. The hotel is very clean and comfortable, with beds and pillows we slept well on. I was six months pregnant during a summer visit to Orta, so the air conditioning mattered a lot to me. We also enjoyed ping pong and lounging by the pool. It's close to the lake, just ask reception for the quickest way down. Parking is another plus: you can't drive into the piazza without a permit, and la Bussola has free parking on site. We arrived before check-in, let reception know, and they stored our bags, delivered them to the room once it was ready, and let us park for free. I needed laundry done, too. I dropped my clothes at reception and the hotel washed them, air-dried and folded them, then brought them to my room the next day. The walk to the piazza is about 10 minutes or less, but there's a lot of stairs. Between the staff, views, price, food, and all the care, I can't say enough good things. Big thanks to La Bussola for a stay I'll remember.

A lovely, peaceful stay with a great view, good food, and a beautiful pool. The staff were helpful and friendly, and the service was impeccable. The only thing I could fault was cobwebs in the room and on the terrace. Highly recommended.