Laqua by the Lake

After doing a lot of research, I’m so glad we chose this place. It’s one of the most beautiful, peaceful, thoughtfully done hotels I’ve stayed in, and the details are incredible. Lake Orta is absolutely worth visiting, and this is where I’d want to stay. I won’t forget this trip.

The view was gorgeous, and the modern decor felt calm. The first two courses were okay, but the whole dinner was a disappointing and chaotic experience. Service was inconsistent, and some of the staff came across as self-important. Portions were too large, wine arrived before we’d finished our previous glasses, and the meal moved far too quickly. When we asked them to slow down, they said they couldn’t. Staff were running along the hallway near the downstairs bathrooms. Food was brought out while my partner was still in the bathroom, so it went cold. For a Michelin-starred restaurant, that isn’t okay. The meal also made me feel physically ill. When we asked to pay and leave early, staff made it difficult because there were still a few bites left with coffee. We eventually got the bill after some persuasion. We won’t return or recommend it. It felt like a waste of money. Too bad.

The lake views and location were incredible, and having paddleboards available made it easy to explore more of the lake. We also loved the pool and lake access as a place to relax during our visit to the region. Our room was unbelievable, and staff were attentive with both cleaning and turndown service. We’ve been fortunate to stay at some of the world’s best hotels, and this one belongs on that list. We’re already planning to come back.

We only booked one night here, mainly to be closer to Milan’s MXP airport after a two-week, five-city trip around Italy. It looked like a nice lakeside spot for the end of our travels, and I hadn’t really researched the area. The drive got prettier as we got closer, and when we arrived the whole staff treated us like royalty. It was a quiet time of year, and somehow we got upgraded to what was basically an apartment, with an amazing view of the lake and mountains. The scenery around the property was breathtaking. There’s a great pool, which we didn’t get to use, a small beach, and lots of places to sit by the lake. My only regret is that I didn’t book more nights. I would’ve loved to stay longer.