About iconic place, drawbacks of high season and people that stand out

When planning a trip to Lake Como, my friend and I were hesitating between the Mandarin Oriental Como and Villa d’Este. Finally, we decided to go for Villa d’Este, as this iconic place had long been on our bucket list.

I think the choice was right - this is definitely a place that makes you want to come back. To enjoy it to the fullest, it’s better to consider visiting during the low season, when the hotel is less crowded and busy.

We booked an Executive Garden View room, 50 sqm, which is a good option if you are looking for value for money - a spacious room with a balcony and a nice view (it even had a partial lake view from the balcony).

When we arrived, our room wasn’t ready, so the reception offered us an alternative within the same category on the top (4th) floor. However, it had a low ceiling and no balcony, so I wouldn’t suggest choosing the top floor, despite the common belief that higher floors are better. Our room on the 1st floor was just ideal (twin room 111).

Even though I heard various feedback on the dining experience at the hotel from friends who dined there, my personal experience was much better than I expected. We had lunch at the poolside restaurant, where the salad with crab and pasta with bottarga were so delicious that I even ordered an extra portion of the pasta!

For dinner, we chose the Grill restaurant, and it was a perfect choice. It had a much cosier and more romantic atmosphere compared to the main restaurant. The avocado and crab salad, along with the Wagyu Beef Tagliata, were exceptional - I highly recommend both dishes.

Unfortunately, my friend had some issues with her meals. The burger she ordered for lunch and the beef steak for dinner were not cooked to the level she requested, which was critical since she is pregnant. The restaurant had to remake both dishes, but no compensation was offered, even though she had to wait for her main dish to be redone twice while I was already eating.

The breakfast experience was pleasant. The table setup was beautiful and upscale, and the views were absolutely stunning. If you’re staying during the high season, it’s best to arrive early for breakfast, as the restaurant becomes overcrowded around 9:00-9:30 am, to the point where it can even start to feel like a canteen. I would also suggest the hotel finds a solution for the wasps, as it did impact our breakfast experience. A bit of humor during breakfast - the waiter referred to an avocado as a mango when serving it.

At full occupancy, the hotel felt overcrowded, which had an impact on the overall experience. Its charm and elegance were lost, particularly because some guests did not dress or behave in a way that fit the aesthetic of the place. Group bookings also had a noticeable impact.

My friend found her spa massage average.

I would like to highlight a few team members who truly stood out - Roberta at the reception, who took care of our check-in and check-out. She was charming, friendly and helpful. Another star was Michele, who took care of our table at the Grill Restaurant. Both of them were attentive, caring and showed genuine interest in making sure that we had a wonderful time.

Another highlight of our stay was a lovely chat with Pierre and Lilo, a chic and elegant couple, who own the beauty salon in the hotel. They are truly the soul of the property and a wealth of knowledge. I highly recommend taking the time to meet them, as it’s a very special experience.

Overall, I would rate our experience a 4.5 out of 5. I hope to return during the low season for an even better experience, when the hotel is less crowded and the hotel team is not as overwhelmed.