"We stayed here (in the Milan building) in a fourth floor lake view double room. The views from the very compact balcony were beautiful. The room was spacious, clean and comfortable. The glass chandelier in the room was beautiful. However the decor is generally very dated, and was a throwback to the 1980s. The bathroom, if a bit old fashioned, contained all amenities, except the shower gel and shampoo dispensers next to the bath we discovered were empty. We asked the housekeeping staff on two occasions for replacements, as we'd only taken small travel sized bottles with us. Unfortunately housekeeping did not replace these during our stay, despite our requests. The hair dryer is a wall mounted type, but not too bad considering. The electric sockets in the bedroom were very scarce, and had no USB ports built in. We had taken 4 european two pin adapters, but, only one of these actually fitted the two pin socket, as the diameter of the pins on the other 3 adapters were just slightly too wide a diameter to fit in the socket. Having visited many areas of Italy over the years, we have never encountered this issue previously. We even tried buying an alternative adapter in a nearby supermarket, but even that didn't fit! Most of the staff are very helpful and friendly. But our experience on arrival was much to be desired. We arrived not knowing which building (the Milan or Speranza) our room was allocated. So we went into Speranza, where a very welcoming receptionist greeted us, and informed us that our room was next door in the Milan building, and her colleague would take us across to the other reception. Now, both myself and my husband had a suitcase and a bag each. I have mobility issues due to a back injury, but am able to wheel my luggage on a flat surface. But, to traverse from one hotel build across to the other meant there were a number of steps to negotiate, and to lift our luggage over. The young receptionist guided us across, and actually looked on, as I struggled to get up the steps, lifting my suitcase, without any offer of assistance. (Would she have watched her mother or nonna struggle I wonder?) . When we reached the reception desk, she checked us in promptly, however we had to ask what hotel amenities were available, ask where the bar and restaurant were located, and what time breakfast is served, also asked about the access to the pool at the sister hotel. None of the information was offered to us. A complete contrast to the several other very helpful and accommodating reception staff we encountered during our stay, who were excellent. We ate at the hotel restaurant the first night. The atmosphere was strained, and service was very disappointing. We waited 25 minutes after being seated , before being asked if we'd like water or drinks. We weren't asked if we wanted to order wine with our meal, and the wine glasses were promptly cleared from our table. Eventually our orders for food were taken. The food, when it arrived was very good, and reasonably good value. But the conservatory setting is curb side, so you are subject to scrutiny by passers by in this busy area. We didn't eat here again, as the atmosphere wasn't very inviting and we felt a little underwhelmed and uncomfortable there. At breakfast and dinner, the main dining room next to the conservatory restaurant is occupied by noisy large group tours. The breakfast buffet was plentiful and offered many options. We didn't like the scrambled eggs as they contained olive oil, so were very greasy. But plenty of alternative choices. Staff at breakfast were excellent and very friendly and welcoming. (Unlike the staff at dinner). All in all, it was not an awful stay, but could've been better, and we don't understand how it's rated as a 4 star hotel. Not by modern standards at least."
