Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees

Beautiful, elegant hotel. Spa is amazing! Outdoor pool is great to relax by, my grandchildren loved swimming in the spa pool as well. Service and food were excellent, the breakfast buffet was delicious. The lake views from our room were gorgeous. Can’t say enough good things!

The hotel is beautiful and has amazing views over the lake and the mountains beyond. and the staff were unfailingly helpul and polite - nothing was too much trouble for them. It is well worth paying a little extra for a room with a lake view, although the gardens to the rear are lovely too. The rooms are comfortable and well furnished, some have a small balcony. Better for adults rather than families with small children - too many antique vases around! Stresa is a small town, with lots of places to eat and a few good shops. The Borromean Islands are worth a visit, and other outings and day trips are easily arranged if you are staying for more than a few days.

First impressions were excellent - immaculate entrance, great common areas and lake view junior suite very pleasant. However, we soon felt this was a thin veneer. For some unknown reason some of the staff have a major attitude problem - possibly trying to be a pretentious 5* offering instead of one with elegant style. The young man on concierge duty, however, was excellent. Main issue with this hotel - the pool area is simply diabolical - it desperately needs attention and we would go as far as to say that if a pool is in any way a priority for your trip do not stay here. Hotel drinks etc very expensive - very good lakeside cafe across the road - significantly less expensive and better than the hotel pool area! All in all - main hotel and room was good (very good breakfast buffet) but pool area totally spoils it.