Guest reviews Grand Hotel Menaggio

by Cornwallgurl Gunnislake, United Kingdom

Absolutely lovely hotel

Re-reading some of the reviews for this gorgeous hotel after my stay there I wondered if it was the same place! I was there as part of a Voyages Jules Verne holiday based on Lake Como, which blessedly did not attract a single supplement. It was early in the season, and the weather was only just starting to improve, but everything was open and awake after 2 years of Covid induced layoff for the hospitality industry. All areas in and around the hotel looked immaculate and although our group of 27 were the only guests initially, nothing was too much trouble for the charming staff. The Hotel’s location is wonderful – right on the lake, with a beautifully maintained pool and terrace area overlooking the water and mountains. It is a stone’s throw from the boat pier/landing stage and from an incredibly useful little supermarket. The attractive village of Menaggio (where real people live, work and commute) is a few minutes walk. I didn’t request (or get – the room fairy didn’t smile on me this time!) a lake view room, but my large, well-appointed one overlooking the carpark and road was not noisy with the double-glazed windows shut - and I’m deaf anyway, so didn’t hear anything even with the window open. A few things in the room which stopped working were fixed quickly, except for the safe, which I suspect will need replacing. The heating was cranked up incredibly high and I did struggle to get the temperature down to an acceptable level for sleeping (hence the open window). There were adequate sockets, the toiletries in the bathroom were copious, and the hairdryer, almost uniquely for a hotel one, was efficient! (Which was as well as I’d made a decision to leave mine behind). The Wi-fi came and went a bit, and there was clearly a bandwidth problem, but it was more than good enough to pick up and send emails and messages. I loved the décor – perhaps not so much the frilly voile Austrian blinds - it was definitely in the maximalist Italian style, but everything was clearly well thought out and designed and the public spaces were impeccable. It was a blessed relief from the identikit minimalist monochrome look. The bar was always open in the evenings (lunch had not yet started) and the large and light filled dining room was very well managed by a professional team. Breakfasts were outstanding and the dinners generous, varied and tasty. The dinner and breakfast timings were extremely generous. I’d booked 4 nights of dinners and when I had an extra couple, reception notified me to check and only charged me the VJV rate, not the advertised one, which I was most impressed by. This was my first holiday abroad since the start of the pandemic, and I could not have enjoyed it and the hotel more. It was starting to fill up with pre-Easter visitors and families the day before I left, and I hope this delightful hotel has a successful season to make up for the last two years - it deserves it.

by jhsjgfjbcjkshbcjksbc Berkhamsted, United Kingdom

Faded glory but excellent service

Stayed at Grand Hotel Menaggio for 4 nights after travelling from Tuscany. The hotel was clearly once very grand but is now a bit jaded - rooms are relatively small and storage space limited, lots of the facilities such as the pool are a bit "tired". However, this is more than compensated by the excellent staff who provide top-quality service and are friendly and approachable and always willing to assist. Location is excellent with superb lake views and it's a short walk to the town centre.

by Waltons2010 Zurich, Switzerland

Wants to be GRAND but is POOR in many aspects

We spent 4 nights at the Grand Hotel in Menaggio Unfortunately there are more negative issues to report than positive ones, but let me start with the Positive ones: Great location close to town, ship and ferry. Good sized room, but a little old fashioned with carpets on the floor. Some of the staff is friendly but many just seem to do the job because they have to. Breakfast is very nice and they offer a large choice. The negative issues: Car parking is an absolute mess. As there is not sufficient parking the attendant has to park and repark cars when ever a guest arrives or leaves. He keeps all the car keys in a box without any labels or names/room number............. The WiFi is very unstable and you constantly need to reconnect. The bathroom is cramped and so dim light that it is virtually impossible to shave and/or put on some makeup. The handicap toilet is marked with NO ENTRY - see photo!!!!! Some of the staff either does not wear the mask properly or does not wear one at all (even Waiters). When asked at the Reception about producing the covid certificate, we were told that the management assumes people arriving at the hotel have a certificate but they do not actively check it. Even though this appears to be the rule/law in Italy at present. Last but not least, this 4 start hotel does not even offer laundry service!!!!! To summon up; it is called the Grand Hotel but it does not live up to this name. Sorry but next time we stay somewhere else.

by pavelb599

Rude and unacceptable service!!!

We were in Menaggio August 23 2020. When we arrived, I went to this hotel to book a room, because after flight, my phone was discharged and I didn`t booked hotel in advance. It was around midday when I arrived in the hotel, the lady on the reception was busy, she was checking-in guests, when she saw me she asked, what I want. I said that I`d like to book a room, she said ok and asked me to wait. While I was waiting, I asked her where is the toilette, and her answer shocked me to the core, she said that THE TOILETTE ONLY FOR THE GUESTS!!! Really??? I can`t use the toilette while I`m waiting for the booking??? After that I went to the hotel which is located nearby. I haven`t met so awful and impolite servise anywhere!!!

by linh7690 Menaggio, Italy

Too expensive, rude staff, less sun beds

Sorry, we will not come back. The hotel is getting on in years, dead insects close to the jewelry, bar is open for lunch but not in the night. We wanted to have lunch there and the waiter send us away to the bar where they send us back. Unfortunately we couldn’t understand him. A lot of the hotel staff is not speaking English. Don’t get me wrong but an easy communication should be possible if you’re working in the tourism industry. For over CHF 220 a night is was disappointing. The rooms are ok but only ok, the bathroom was new but our carpet had stains. The pool area was crowded we didn’t find free sun beds. Anyway if you are happy to spend that money you can book it.