Hotel Belvedere

I went on a last-minute trip in early October and was blown away by the staff, who were incredibly accommodating and made me feel welcome and at home. The lake view is breathtaking, so I think it's worth paying a little extra for that room. The nearby ferry and taxi boats make getting to Stresa and the Borromean Islands really convenient. I can't wait to return!

A young woman checked us in and insisted on copying our driver's licenses. We'd never been asked for those as well as our passports, so we questioned her. She said her manager had told her to do it, but when we asked to speak with the manager, she said the manager had gone. After we got home, someone had hacked our accounts. My husband also got food poisoning after dinner at their restaurant, which made our three-day stay even more miserable. We left a day early and didn't even ask for a refund for the final night. The whole stay was a nightmare.

We ate in the outdoor section during an island tour, after our tour guide recommended it. The lake view was nice, and we appreciated the tent-like canopy blocking the direct sun. The room was only at 25% capacity when we sat down. The hostess was cordial, but the waiter wasn't nice and made it clear he had no patience for us English-speaking customers or time to help with the menu. The food was good, I'd give it a 4. I wouldn't go back, since there are many better options there.

The owner, Paco, was kind enough to get us more white paint from Verbania when I ran out while painting on the island. I was really touched by that. We loved the updated, clean rooms, which felt luxurious for a very reasonably priced boutique hotel on a beautiful island. Breakfast, the breakfast service, and the lovely views were great too. Highly recommend Hotel Belvedere, and we'd definitely come back if we return to the Lake District.