Britannia Excelsior

"This is undeniably a beautiful property. The setting is spectacular, the contemporary design is elegant, the rooms are luxurious, the bedding is comfortable, and the Le Labo amenities are a refined touch. The true highlight of the hotel is Cetino. The cuisine is exceptional and easily one of the finest dining experiences in the area. A special mention also goes to Anetta, whose professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail set the standard for luxury hospitality. She is a tremendous asset to the hotel. That said, several aspects of the experience do not justify the hotel’s premium pricing. * Room Comfort: During the summer, the hotel’s constant exposure to the sun makes the rooms difficult to cool. Even with the air conditioning set at 19°C, the room remained too warm, making a fan necessary—something that should never be required at this level. * Breakfast: While the quality is good, the offering is too limited for the price charged. A luxury property commanding these rates should provide a generous buffet comparable to those found at leading hotels such as Mandarin Oriental. * Service: The seasonal staff is friendly and enthusiastic but, overall, lacks the maturity and experience expected at an ultra-luxury resort. Continued investment in training will be essential. * Marriott Bonvoy Recognition: As a Titanium Elite member, I was disappointed that my Nightly Upgrade Award was not honored despite suites being available during my stay. Recognizing loyal Marriott guests is a cornerstone of the brand, and failing to do so undermines one of its most valuable elite benefits. * Pool Facilities: The lakeside pool deck is one of the property’s greatest assets, yet it closes too early. Extending the evening hours would significantly enhance the guest experience. Finally, the hotel should carefully evaluate its pricing strategy. With room rates approaching $3,000 per night, it places itself in direct competition with some of the world’s finest luxury hotels, including Mandarin Oriental. At present, it simply does not deliver the same level of overall experience. Luxury guests paying these rates expect flawless execution across every aspect of their stay: exceptional service, impeccable room comfort, outstanding breakfast, meaningful elite recognition, and meticulous attention to detail. While this hotel excels in its location, design, and restaurant, it has not yet reached that standard. The upcoming arrival of Ritz-Carlton and Raffles will undoubtedly raise the benchmark even further. Unless the hotel elevates its service standards and overall guest experience, it will be difficult to justify pricing at the very top of the luxury market. This property has tremendous potential and all the foundations of a world-class resort. Closing the gap between its current execution and its premium pricing should now be management’s highest priority."

"We spent five nights at The Lake Como EDITION during our honeymoon, and it was an incredible experience. The hotel’s location in Cadenabbia is absolutely spectacular — offering some of the best views on Lake Como and a more peaceful, relaxed atmosphere compared with some of the busier towns on the lake. Easy access to the ferry which take you to bellagio and Varenna. Waking up each morning to the views across the water was unforgettable, and the setting alone makes this property feel truly special. The service throughout our stay was excellent. Every member of the staff we interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely focused on making our experience memorable. From the front desk team to the restaurant and pool staff, everyone brought a level of warmth and hospitality that made us feel very well taken care of. The floating pool is one of the highlights of the hotel. There is nothing quite like relaxing in the water while looking out over Lake Como, surrounded by the mountains and beautiful historic villas. It was the perfect place to unwind after exploring the area, especially during the summer heat. The hotel itself is beautifully designed, with a modern and elegant feel that fits naturally into the Lake Como setting. The combination of the views, architecture, and atmosphere creates a very unique experience. The downsides are that the food and beverage prices are quite high, particularly the cocktails and some menu items. While expected for a luxury property in this location, the pricing can feel elevated even compared with other high-end hotels. There are some local restaurants and cafes nearby (bar Risto and impero) that we preferred for cocktails and lunch at a fraction of the price. We used Marriott Bonvoy points for our five-night honeymoon stay and felt it was an incredible value given the quality of the property and the experience. At cash rates, this is a very expensive hotel (is there anywhere that can live up to $2k/night?!) , but for a special occasion — especially a honeymoon — it is hard to beat."

"Our stay at The Lake Como EDITION was extremely disappointing. After housekeeping serviced our room, we discovered that a dirty, soaking wet cleaning rag had been placed inside our open suitcase, which we had left near the bathroom. The rag stained several of my dresses, including a brand-new Zimmermann dress that is dry clean only. Although the hotel arranged for the dress to be professionally cleaned, the stains could not be removed. I provided photos, my purchase receipt, and reported the incident immediately. Despite the evidence, the hotel denied responsibility, claiming they could not establish a connection between the dirty rag found inside my suitcase and the damage to my dress. As a registered Marriott travel agent and with my husband being a Marriott Gold Elite member, we expected the level of service and accountability that Marriott is known for. Instead, our legitimate claim was dismissed, leaving us deeply disappointed with how this situation was handled."