Lake Maggiore
Sep 10th, 2004, 04:41 AM
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Lake Maggiore
I am meeting up with my Dad and step-mom + aunt and uncle at Lake Maggiore for 2 nights in mid october. Can someone please recommend an inexpensive, interesting, small, beautiful(!!!) place to stay and where is it easiest for us to base ourselves?? Having a hard time getting any good recommendations... Thanks!
Sep 10th, 2004, 05:17 AM
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Hi gjkgjk,
While I haven't been to this place, two of my friend have and rave about it: http://www.hotel-panorama.ch/englisch/index.htm
they say the food is especially good!
The only drawback is that it's in a small village and may not be very, very easy to get to. But check it out and see if you like it.
Let me know if I can help further.
s
While I haven't been to this place, two of my friend have and rave about it: http://www.hotel-panorama.ch/englisch/index.htm
they say the food is especially good!
The only drawback is that it's in a small village and may not be very, very easy to get to. But check it out and see if you like it.
Let me know if I can help further.
s
Sep 10th, 2004, 05:27 AM
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We stayed at the Hotel Italie et Suisse, right on the lake. It was very inexpensive (this was a few years ago), clean, had large rooms and huge breakfasts, friendly and helpful staff, and very convenient to the boat docks for getting around the lake.
Sep 10th, 2004, 06:13 AM
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Thanks for the recommendations.... what are the best excursions to do whilst we are there??? Know we will fancy a boat trip, any other suggestions??? Is Stresa too big of a town, should I be looking at smaller villages???
Sep 10th, 2004, 06:17 AM
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Stresa's not a huge town - you can walk the length of it in about 10 minutes. When we were there we took many boat excursions to the Borromeo islands and to the market in Laina across the lake; went up into the mountains behind Stresa and hiked; went to Domodosura to check out the umbrellas; and spent a day at Lake Garda and places in between.
Sep 10th, 2004, 06:43 AM
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www.stresa.net Take your pick !
Sep 10th, 2004, 07:40 AM
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We stayed on tiny Isola dei Pescatore, one of the islands, just off Stresa. Loved the Hotel Verbano. Great food, very lovely rooms. Accessible by the public boats. Early morning/evening after 7pm requires private boat arrangements in advance. Hotel can do this for you..
Sep 10th, 2004, 08:50 AM
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Gjk, What will your approach to Maggiore be? If you will be in Italy, Stressa is your best bet.
On the Swiss side, I am a fan of Hotel Panorama, that Swandav talks about. It is a little tricky to get to without a car. The trains are infrequent, but doable. In Locarno/Minusio, I really like Albergo Navegna. It's right on the lake and a perfect place from which to explore Maggiore; Bellinzona, Ascona, a boat trip, the Centovalli. It's a very comfortable hotel with a fantastic restaurant. www.navegna.ch
On the Swiss side, I am a fan of Hotel Panorama, that Swandav talks about. It is a little tricky to get to without a car. The trains are infrequent, but doable. In Locarno/Minusio, I really like Albergo Navegna. It's right on the lake and a perfect place from which to explore Maggiore; Bellinzona, Ascona, a boat trip, the Centovalli. It's a very comfortable hotel with a fantastic restaurant. www.navegna.ch
Sep 10th, 2004, 09:49 AM
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gikgik: The Verbano hotel on the little Island of Pescatore (Isola dei Pescatore) is not inexpensive, but I would casll it moderate. However, it is absolutely charming and the views, especially at night with the lights at Stresa and the Borromeo Islands , are fantastic. The hotel is old-world in architecture and decor. The dinning area on a vast patio, again with the views of Stresa and the Borromeos, is idyllic.
The little lanes and walkways on the tiny island are fun to wander, especially when you stumble upon a little shop (and you will, several times). Going back and forth to the other islands and to Stresa is done by ferry which run frequently and, again, "the views". If you can swing it, you will have a time to remember forever. Good luck.
The little lanes and walkways on the tiny island are fun to wander, especially when you stumble upon a little shop (and you will, several times). Going back and forth to the other islands and to Stresa is done by ferry which run frequently and, again, "the views". If you can swing it, you will have a time to remember forever. Good luck.
Sep 10th, 2004, 10:07 AM
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I love this small hotel.
http://xoomer.virgilio.it/gicardan/
It has a wonderful view of the Borromean Islands. The managers are 3 siblings, one of them is called Giuliana Cardani, who usually handles the reservations. I have spent so many summers there and I have always loved my stay. It is a bed and breakfast, 2 star, family run hotel. Really neat!
http://xoomer.virgilio.it/gicardan/
It has a wonderful view of the Borromean Islands. The managers are 3 siblings, one of them is called Giuliana Cardani, who usually handles the reservations. I have spent so many summers there and I have always loved my stay. It is a bed and breakfast, 2 star, family run hotel. Really neat!
Sep 10th, 2004, 10:18 AM
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I forgot to say the Hotel Villa Ruscello (whose link is in my previous reply) is not in Stresa. It is between Baveno and Stresa, so you will need a car to reach it or to move around. And I think that for Lake Maggiore it is almost essential to have a car, because they have a poor bus service that goes around the lake, and no bus stops in the neighbourhoods.
Anyway, the hotel is small, inexpensive and simply lovely. Ask for room # 14, which if I am not wrong is their best room, with a view on the lake and on the Islands. All rooms have a tiny balcony, private bathroom, tv, and lovely gardens arounds.
Anyway, the hotel is small, inexpensive and simply lovely. Ask for room # 14, which if I am not wrong is their best room, with a view on the lake and on the Islands. All rooms have a tiny balcony, private bathroom, tv, and lovely gardens arounds.
Sep 10th, 2004, 11:39 AM
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Acouple of years ago we stayed in Stresa at the Hotel Astoria. It is not beautiful, but the fiew surely was and it was very clean. We had a very large room overlooking the lake. The location was great, for day trips. Also it was a only about a 5 minute walk into the little town where we found some great little restaurants.
Sep 11th, 2004, 04:38 AM
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Hi. Everyone knows I'm crazy about the 15-room Albergo Panorama in Gerra. Grasshopper and S' have already mentioned it. It's connected to Locarno and Stresa by train, boat and bus. Of course, if you're driving, then it's a snap. I have to say, though, that the Ruscello looks nice too. You didn't mention if you were interested in staying at the Swiss end of the lake or the Italian end? J.
