Marano Ticino Holidays from NZ$1,604

Beautiful location, relaxing, peaceful. The video online for the property did not do it justice. It is much more prettier in person.

Very nice hotel in the perfect location overlooking Lake Como and across from Lecco. We had a room with a small balcony facing the lake. The views were spectacular. Staff were very accommodating and friendly. The included breakfast buffet was excellent. This location is away from the craziness of more popular areas like Bellagio, Verenna and Menagio but is close enough for easy travel to visit these areas either via car or boat. Our room was very clean and had all the amenities. We really enjoyed Da Giovanni restaurant across the street. The lobby bar was also excellent. We were also able to secure onsite parking in the covered garage for a small daily fee which made for driving excursions very convenient. Overall highly recommend this hotel.

Wonderful location

The Palace Grand Hotel has all the ingredients to be an incredible destination, but unfortunately the experience fell far short of expectations. From the outside, the building is beautiful, the grounds are well maintained, and the pool is a real highlight. Sadly, that's where the positives end. The interior feels like it has been frozen in the 1970s. The worn carpets, outdated décor, oversized ceramic dog statues on every floor, and mismatched lobby furniture make the hotel feel more like an old roadside motel than a grand historic property. The breakfast room resembles an old family kitchen, complete with dated chairs, and the food looked so unappealing that I left without eating. Thankfully, the pool bar served excellent cappuccinos and paninis. The location is another major drawback. There is essentially nothing to do nearby other than gas stations and run-down businesses. To make matters worse, Uber doesn't operate in Varese and taxis are extremely difficult to find, so be prepared to walk or spend considerable time arranging transportation. The service was equally disappointing. After a long walk back to the hotel in the summer heat, I simply asked reception for a bottle of water and was made to feel like I was inconveniencing the staff. This property has tremendous potential because of its stunning architecture and beautiful setting, but it desperately needs a complete renovation and a renewed focus on hospitality. Until then, I will not stay here again