Hotel Grand Cadenabbia

We spent two nights at the majestic hotel right on Lake Como. Entering the lobby you feel like 30/40 years ago.......... grand staircase and lots of old furniture, pictures, statues etc.............. Our room had a great view onto the lake. The room itself is fairly small and so is the bathroom. The bathroom is badly light and makes it difficult to shave or put on some make up. The balcony is open to the next room which felt a little strange as you do not know who lives next door and you may want to leave the window door open at night. The beds however are very comfortable and it is very quiet at night despite the main road passing the hotel. The Restaurant offers a variety of fabulous dishes. The setting outside with the view over the lake is very romantic. Thank you to Giuseppe, the waiter for his professional and friendly service. Plenty of free parking on the side of the hotel. Villa Carlotta and the jetty for trips on the lake are about 5 min walk. Overall a good hotel with parking and lake view at a reasonable rate.

I will list the positives and negatives of this hotel. Positives + excellent location - 40 minutes drive from Como city, 5 minutes on foot to the ferry, direction Bellagio and Verenna (10 mins by the ferry, every 30 mins) + amazing, long, heated pool, quiet with a garden behind + nice view on the Como lake from the room + nice bar and restaurant terrace with the same beautiful view + really nice, friendly personnel, speaking english and german + good cleanliness + breakfast was ok but not exceptional + same the room, ok but not exceptionally pretty or designed Negatives - loud noise from the road, noise from the restaurant if you have a room close by (also try to avoid a room close to the elevators, they make annoying sounds) - no quiet restaurants around, by walking distance. All of them are by the road = huge noise, and mediocre quality for Italy. I suggest to better go to Bellagio. -same for walks, you cannot go for a nice walk in this village as it is by the road I would also suggest to improve the entrance hall, it is huge, uselessly furnished, without taste. I looked sad because nobody was ever there. It is unused, useless space, which could be used better way. They should put a cafe, or a bar or something to make it more alive and welcoming.

I visited the hotel on 2 separate occasions within 2 weeks so must be a fan. In terms of the interior and exterior the hotel is a cross between the grand budapest hotel and the place from the shining. Firstly the reception staff were exceptional and could not have been more helpful. They were always happen to answer my many questions and requests and didnt seem at all put out by my 5 questions a day. They were happy to provide recommendations and book restaurants for us. The location (Cadanabbia) is perfect. Menaggio was too loud and touristy and it's so well connected with a ferry to Bellagio every 30 mins and good connections to Varena. The rooms were okay, the aircon was good but if I had one criticism it would be the shower which was in the bath and quite weak. The pool and bar area is stunning. Slightly annoying to see most sun beds around the pool taken with towels on but no one at the pool but I suppose thay happens everywhere. For lake como I'd also say it's quite good value. Would definitely recommend!