Hotel Vapore

Update: Since we got back to the UK, the owner has called once and sent two texts asking me to remove my review. I've now changed it to one star instead of two. He called me a liar and said I was sitting indoors at the best table. The pictures tell a different story. Our visit was to the restaurant, not the hotel. Thunderstorms and heavy rain were forecast for the evening and all night, yet we were seated right by the water's edge without a canopy, with the clouds already over us. There were only a handful of people there, but we still waited ten minutes for menus. Eventually we were asked if we wanted an aperitif and given the menus. The food prices seemed very reasonable, around €18-€30, and we thought that was good for the quality. We hadn't been shown a wine list before ordering. When we asked for one afterward, we got an iPad listing about 15 red wines, priced from €50-€360. We hadn't expected to spend that much on a drink, especially since the food was far less expensive and the hotel didn't look like that kind of place, it was three stars. After we said we didn't want wine, his attitude toward us seemed to change, and the rest of the evening felt awkward. The young waiter who served our food and cleared the tables was fantastic. But when the rain started pouring, all six or so tables suddenly needed shelter. It was chaotic, with the senior staff moving plates and cutlery onto tables they'd cleared just ten minutes earlier. The food was very good for the price. Still, expect some staff to ignore you and treat you differently if you're not spending €100 on a bottle of wine.

We only went to the hotel restaurant. It's a romantic spot with a magnificent view. Our fish dish and spaghetti were both delicious and nicely presented. The salad was large and interesting, and the dessert was decent. Service was good, though I think the waiter was disappointed that we didn't want wine and wasn't happy serving us.

Such an amazing dinner at Vapore! The food, service, and wine were all 10/10. It's truly our favorite in Italy, and I can't recommend it enough. Thank you!

Getting to the hotel takes a little effort by car: you park above and walk down some steps, since it isn't directly accessible by car. Around Lake Como, steps come with the territory, and the hotel has a vehicle that runs up and down to help with luggage, which was especially useful with kids. It's right in front of the port, so catching the aqua taxi is easy. The team were especially kind and accommodating with my daughter. Even though many famous people have stayed here, they make every guest feel like a VIP. Manager and Sommelier Osman made dinner memorable, host Maria looked after everything warmly, and Murat and the rest of the staff treated us like family. We felt at home as soon as we arrived. The restaurant is cozy, with a small, well-chosen menu and an unbeatable view, a lovely place to relax after a day on the lake. The location is great, and we'd happily stay again. Warm and family-friendly, highly recommended!