Hotel de Charme Laveno

This is our 2nd visit based on our experience last year. Firstly this hotel is a beautiful calm gem. It is a clean, fresh, modern boutique hotel with charm and it feels like you have a secret that you don't want anyone else to know. Secondly, the real secret is the Michelin level Italian food at its finest. We have travelled the length and breadth of Italy and Sicily and honestly, how Carmino and team have not got 2 Michelin stars is beyond us .. from the locally sourced salads and cheeses to the carefully constructed nightly menu of fish, meat and vegi options, this place is as good as any Michelin restaurants we have been lucky enough to visit and is of the same level as some of the best restaurants in the world. Fresh, basic Italian ingredients served beautifully with combinations you would not normally see. Tonight's ricotta gnocchi and sea bream are just a couple of examples. Pictures enclosed. Then there is the service from the team.. reception, waitresses and the front of house team cannot do enough to make your stay beautiful but there is no forced air of yes sir/madam. Just a friendly team who really wants you to be happy, including a greet with the chef tonight so I can say thanks and seeing the spotless kitchens. The backdrop of the mountains, greenery and lack of tourists is a bonus of course but the prices for coffee and aperitivo, are very reasonable along with the e- bike hiring, free steam room, sauna and spa space that is the quality of any 5 star London hotel and just another level of massage and pool overlooking the lake. We had to book in advance but if the team stays then we will be back every year... Thanks and we look forward to another couple of days.

We have stayed in many hotels around the world but this was the place for us, Laveno is quiet and not packed with tourists but you can easily get the ferry to hop around the lake and all its towns and islands. The hotel was welcoming, small enough to be personal and large enough to feel like you have space, the views are magnificent (especially from the pool). I went to the pool before breakfast every day and did not have a problem with going early. The breakfast had all the choice you could wish for, the afternoon tea and cake was fabulous after a busy day island hopping and the dinner and wine were another level of taste and choice. The service was impeccable and although we have stayed in many 5 star hotels, this was by far the most perfect for us. We travelled from Milan on train and it was very simple, we visited the local cable car which was amazing and simple to find. We had the lake view room last time and it was clean, modern, spacious, airy, with a fabulous view of the lake and delicious smell from the diffuser and toiletries. We rarely go back to the same location or hotel but have booked to go back in May 2024 for my husbands birthday, this time we have treated ourselves to a junior suite. Thank you to the staff, chefs and cleaners for making the 3 nights so perfect.