B&B Il Parco e gli Affreschi

Our 10-day stay in the “romantic suite” was nowhere near worth what we paid, and it became our worst booking experience. The breakfast reservation promised turned out to be a small selection of low-quality Lidl products, with nothing else for the rest of our stay. Towels stayed damp, and they were never changed; we had to leave them on chairs outside in the sun each day. We also never got the promised mid-stay cleaning. The suite may have been romantic when it was renovated 15 or 20 years ago, but it now feels dated, dark, damp, and dirty in places. The kitchenette had a broken tap, a not very clean stove, and products that had expired years ago. In the glass-roofed hallway, the plant pots seemed to be a real insect trap. There were no blackout curtains or shutters on every bedroom window. On a windy, stormy evening, the French doors wouldn't stay shut and my husband had to hold them closed; on other days we used an armchair to prop them open. The website photos looked dreamy, but the place was very different in reality. Avoid it at all costs.

The hosts were welcoming and kind, and the house was incredible, with a splendid view. We were even upgraded to a larger, magnificent room at no extra cost. I wholeheartedly recommend it for a relaxing stay around Lake Maggiore.

Villa Pax has lovely Art Nouveau style, and the whole place feels calm and beautiful. From the garden, which features land art, you can enjoy views over the Alps and Po Valley. It's in Campo dei Fiori natural park, with hiking trails crossing the property, and a funicular station just steps away for the 3-kilometer trip down to Varese. Il Parco e gli Affreschi is a peaceful base for exploring the Italian lakes, away from everyday bustle. It's on the edge of Santa Maria Del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Sacro Monte, with 14 chapels and 3 Arches of Mysteries that you can explore on foot from Varese, which the village overlooks. The hostess gave us a warm but discreet welcome and spoke perfect English and French. Breakfast was generous, too. A rare find.

We were upgraded to a superb ground-floor bedroom in this magnificent house. The welcome was warm, and the views were breathtaking. It was peaceful, surrounded by nature.