Hotel Villa D'Este (Cernobbio, Italy)

The grounds of the hotel are absolutely stunning. The visit is worth viewing the grounds alone! The ambiance is magnificent. It's plush, yet relaxed and quaint. The hotel has interesting history. Did you know that Alfred Hitchcock made his first movie at this very hotel?Besides the grounds, the food deserves a mention too. Both restaurants serve delicious meals. After breakfast take a stroll through the grounds and take in the breathtaking scene, or chill-out on the pool barge and enjoy the view of the lake.

If you tire of walking the grounds, take a boat ride arranged by the hotel. Moreover, the town of Chernobbio is within walking distance and the location is convenient to ferries as well.

The décor may not be to everyone's taste, but you have to admire the many materials, textures, and intricacies. Rooms have traditional furnishing with vintage paintings, antiques, silk embroideries, and marble bathrooms. Hallways are magnanimous with glorious staircases, fine sculptures, and out-of-this-world flower arrangements. Yes, it is all that!

Yes, it's grand and all that stuff, but you can just as well take another perspective. For example, you may still feel that the rooms are sparse and have a cold feeling and that it would be nice to have more seating to relax around the hotel. The Queens Pavillion build appears dark with sparse décor. The shower space is small as well and the shower head is too big.

Yep, you guessed it. Prices for food, drinks and the like are a bit over-the-top. Order the espresso and you will find out first-hand!

This may not be everyone's experience, but some visitors have stated that the staff appear a bit, well; snooty.