Hotel Bocciolo

From the moment I booked communication was excellent, even when we were delayed arriving, we were informed how to enter the hotel. I booked a triple room which consisted of a balcony, with two sun beds and a table with two chairs, the room comprised of one double bed and a single, as a party of three adults we had plenty of room. The room was very clean, although we were only ever given two large towels. The view from the balcony was stunning. It is a 25 minute walk into San Gailio, 35 min drive to Stressa (lake Marggorie). There is a small public beach and a paid beach within walking distance. Breakfast was the best I have experienced in any hotel I have stayed in. We dined once at the hotel (I would advise you to book, as it can get very busy), we throughly enjoyed the food. We also ordered a take out pizza which was also extremely good. It will be hard for me to ever eat pizza again in my home country.

Hotel Bocciolo surpassed our expectations in every way. The front desk staff and restaurant waitresses staff were friendly and fluent in English and German, as well as their native Italian. The kind manager even offered us a ride to the train station in his private car! The hotel common area’s and grounds were beautiful and well maintained. and the view of the lake was as if from a painting. We never got a chance to try the hot tubs, but it looked like it would be wonderful to sit there while gazing at the lake and mountains. We had been traveling for a month in Italy and this hotel’s breakfast buffet was the best and most extensive of any we have encountered. Not only every savory item but also sweet desserts and pastries beyond compare. How often do you come on delicious apple strudel for breakfast?! We also had dinner there three of the four nights of our stay because the food was so good. The location was close to the train station but a bit further from the town center than we had expected, but we easily walked there in about a half hour stroll along a pleasant lakeside path in about 25 minutes. We were told there was a “tourist train” that could have taken us there, but we never asked where to get it. During our visit we enjoyed visiting the historic pilgrimage site with its many small chapels nearby, taking ferries to Isola San Giulio and to other towns on the lake, and just wandering quiet, non-touristy Orta. We would love to return to Orta someday, and Hotel Bocciolo is definitely where we would stay!

Positive: Large rooms Comfortable beds, Lovely lake views (at xtra cost) Clean, functional lift Negatives: NO DISCLOSURE re extra E10 each duvet and kettle, E10 for use of garage displayed at reception area, When I queried why Not disclosed initially, was told should have used air con, no other hotel on the holiday of 3 weeks has charged for use of extra blankets or kettle, requested to discuss with manager, was advised manager /owner does not have discussions re pricing 1 meal at restaurant, very small portion, so much cheese, unable to locate the beef in the ragu, unpalatable overpriced in comparison, deserts leftover cakes from breakfast menu , chose to eat externally for the next 3 nights, better price and better food and service. disappointing end to a fantastic holiday Lesson learned, ASK

I honestly can’t say enough good things about this hotel. The view and the food speak for themselves (best breakfast we had in Italy) but what I really liked was how helpful the staff were. From noticing and remembering what we liked to drink to helping with trains and taxis, they were beyond lovely. We didn’t get bills as we used facilities but at the end we got a perfect tally. Add to this a perfect location - 5 minutes from a swimming spot, 20 minutes walk to town and a glorious view of the lake from your balcony or the jacuzzis in the garden.

Disappointing. We were staying as part of a group and eating at the hotel on 6 evenings. The food was poor and there was very little of it. Portions were appropriate for a 10 year old. Our room 220, was a the end of a corridor, and the maid kept removing towels, but did not replace them. By day 6 we were left with just two towels. The place seemed to be running on a shoestring I got the impression that the hotel had a budgeting problem.