Hotel Lido La Perla Nera

Breakfast was very good, and service from all the staff was excellent. The hotel no longer serves dinner, so they sent us to the Astoria, though there are plenty of good places to eat, including the bar and restaurant opposite. The rooms are basic and dated, but very clean, with fresh towels and bedding every day. Like most places in Italy, there was no fridge or tea and coffee setup in the room. The safe deposit box at reception was free.

Everything like the bar, outdoor pool, and sunbeds was closed when we arrived, and we hadn't been told beforehand. It felt like they catered better for the German coach groups. The rooms were clean and quiet, with a balcony, and the breakfast buffet had a lovely wide selection. But it's a 35-minute walk to Stresa and there were no buses. The boat stop was nearby, though not all boats leave from there. We'd paid for half board, but had to walk 30 minutes to the Astoria hotel every night for dinner, until we were banned after complaining. Staff were friendly, but tried to overcharge us. We also had to pay a city tax we didn't know about, and got no receipt after paying cash. Our room had no fridge or safe, and the towels were thin, like tea towels.

There's a great walk along the lake just outside, with stunning views of Isola Bella. Look out for the grebes. The hotel is comfortable and friendly, and very handy for both the cable car and the lake. The food is good without being fussy. The pool is small, but you can use the larger one at the Astoria.

The indoor pool was a nice bonus, and the location works well for the cable car, a few restaurants, and the boat across to the islands. It's a good 10-minute walk into the centre of Stresa. The team gave us a friendly welcome, and while the rooms are fairly basic, the hotel is good value.