Cenobio - Cernobbio

Tucked away in a corner outside but attached to the Regina Olga Hotel it was packed with tour groups no room for us but we went back the next evening when it was empty but we could hear a big party eating outside. My tuna was seared beautifully.

Staying at this hotel (which I can recommend), we decided to try the special menu for Ferragosto bank holiday. The concept of the menu was imaginative and if the food itself didn't quite live up to expectations, it was still good. As a dining experience however, it was joke! Sitting on the outside terrace by the swimming pool was a little utilitarian and ruined by the noise from the kitchen (even if it was cheerful voices). Service was in the Manuel class inept and amateur in the extreme, with confusion over cutlery and an attempt to serve a good red wine in sherry size glasses (we settled on white wine glasses). Could be so much better.

Fantastic setting. Lovely rooms, nice view, great pool. Staff friendly but could have been more helpful. Breakfast hot food had gone cold by 9am. Dirty main stairwell. Tatty notices sellotaped to things in the lobby made the hotel feel cheap. With an extra effort to pay attention to the small details this hotel could feel really special.

The location was great! The condition...no. There were large cracks in the walls just outside my room. Inside and outside needed a paint job. The bathroom window had scaffolding just outside of it. Every time we locked the window, we would come back to it opened to the scaffolding. The plants in our window boxes were dead. The hot tub was not in use. The staff didn't want us to use the pool either as they said the season was closed even though they still had guests and it was warm. The beds and food were just ok.

Fabulous location at the harbor. Excellent breakfast. AC in our room didn't function or had a minimal effect, and the breakfast room could need some refurbishment. Helpful and positive employees in the reception. Good parking facilities