Hotel Metropole Suisse — Hotel in Como

Another 3 star hotel masquerading as 4 star which makes us incredibly suspicious of the Italian hotel rating system.||The hotel is in a excellent location close to the Lake & Como ferry terminal which is its main (some might so only) feature. The front desk staff were mostly helpful & pleasant, provided useful information about local attractions & were able to assist with restaurant & taxi bookings. However couples are given only one key to|the room that is expected to be handed-back every time you leave. Too bad if one goes out & one of you is asleep in the room with the key! ||The reception area itself was more like a hostale than any hotel, closing the front door with shutters after midnight (seriously) so that you had to buzz the receptionist who peered out through a stencil shaped peephole in the shutters before letting you in. ||The bathroom in our room had been recently renovated, however the water pressure was poor, the shower nozzle was cheap & either rained like a firehose from the centre or dribbled. And amazingly in spite of what looked like a recent renovation, there was nowhere in the shower to place soap or shampoo except on the floor. ||The room self was a reasonable size with a view across the adjacent square & a king bed. However the decor was incredibly dated (think bubbling wallpaper, including on the timber wardrobe doors!) & the TV was archaic with buzzing audio which made it unwatchable. Additionally there were no tea or coffee making facilities in the toom & the bath towels provided were made of seersucker instead of towelling, i.e. exactly the same material as teatowels. Fine if you’re planning on rinsing a dinner-set, but not so comfortable for humans. ||The breakfast was OK, but nothing exceptional. The coffee machine delivered truly awful coffee, however as we discovered on our second morning, the somewhat disorganised breakfast servers (if requested, this isn’t offered as it should be in 4 star hotel) would arrange somewhat better coffee on request from the kitchen. ||On a further note there is currently significant construction work occurring on the waterfront immediately in front of the hotel which obstructs views of Lake Como from the restaurant/breakfast room. Not the hotel’s fault certainly, however something that you might wish to consider if you are planning to book this hotel...

Another 3 star hotel masquerading as 4 star which makes us incredibly suspicious of the Italian hotel rating system.

The hotel is in a excellent location close to the Lake & Como ferry terminal which is its main (some might so only) feature. The front desk staff were mostly helpful & pleasant, provided useful information about local attractions & were able to assist with restaurant & taxi bookings. However couples are given only one key to the room that is expected to be handed-back every time you leave. Too bad if one goes out & one of you is asleep in the room with the key!

The reception area itself was more like a hostale than any hotel, closing the front door with shutters after midnight (seriously) so that you had to buzz the receptionist who peered out through a stencil shaped peephole in the shutters before letting you in.

The bathroom in our room had been recently renovated, however the water pressure was poor, the shower nozzle was cheap & either rained like a firehose from the centre or dribbled. And amazingly in spite of what looked like a recent renovation, there was nowhere in the shower to place soap or shampoo except on the floor.

The room self was a reasonable size with a view across the adjacent square & a king bed. However the decor was incredibly dated (think bubbling wallpaper, including on the timber wardrobe doors!) & the TV was archaic with buzzing audio which made it unwatchable. Additionally there were no tea or coffee making facilities in the toom & the bath towels provided were made of seersucker instead of towelling, i.e. exactly the same material as teatowels. Fine if you’re planning on rinsing a dinner-set, but not so comfortable for humans.

The breakfast was OK, but nothing exceptional. The coffee machine delivered truly awful coffee, however as we discovered on our second morning, the somewhat disorganised breakfast servers (if requested, this isn’t offered as it should be in 4 star hotel) would arrange somewhat better coffee on request from the kitchen.

On a further note there is currently significant construction work occurring on the waterfront immediately in front of the hotel which obstructs views of Lake Como from the restaurant/breakfast room. Not the hotel’s fault certainly, however something that you might wish to consider if you are planning to book this hotel...

I stayed at the Hotel Metropole Suisse as part of a tour of northern Italy. The hotel is often used by tour groups, likely because it on Lake Como and next to the ferry dock. Aside from its convenient location and lake views, this hotel is a complete abomination. Quite simply, the Metropole Suisse is the worst hotel I have ever stayed in!

My friends and I had to switch rooms three times during our two-night stay because the rooms were so sickening. Room 15 reeked of cigarette smoke, room 54 had black mold dripping from the air vent, and room 59 had a nauseating, musty smell and a stained fabric headboard that clearly had not been cleaned in years. Don't be fooled by the management-provided photos. None of the four rooms we saw looked anything like the photos.

To further elaborate on some of the amenities the hotel claims to offer: Free High-Speed Internet – The wifi only works in the lobby and in the newer wing of the building. In rooms 54 and 59, the wifi constantly disconnects. Non-smoking Rooms – Be sure to request a non-smoking room, or you may be assigned to a smoking room. Sound and Peaceful Sleep – The beds and pillows are among the hardest I have ever experienced. Classical Charm – By "classical charm", they mean rooms that have not been updated in decades with moldy air systems, stained headboards, musty carpet, and bathrooms that only provide a bathtub and low shower handle with no shower curtain; a hallway with mold coming from the ceiling; and an elevator that can only accommodate 2 people (or 1 person with luggage). Multilingual Staff – The staff has a working English fluency, but not enough to resolve issues. Only the morning staff is able to process payments. Housekeeping – The phone said there was a certain number to dial to decline housekeeping. That number does nothing. Housekeeping will come into your room even if you try to decline them. Four Stars – Don't be fooled by the hotel's four stars and "luxury" classification. Stars in Europe indicate amenities like a hotel restaurant and armchairs in the rooms. They are not an indication of cleanliness or quality.

If you are stuck staying at this hotel, try to get a room in the newer part of the building. Rooms 85 and 86 were dated, but tolerable. Also, ask for a non-smoking room and extra blankets...