Art Hotel Posta al lago/ Ristorante Rivalago/Residenza Bettina — Restaurant in Circolo dell'Isole

We stayed for 3 nights in early July at Casa Albina, one of several apartment properties offered by Posta al Lago in Porto Ronco (Ticino, Switzerland). We very much liked the beautiful view of Lake Maggiore from the apartment, especially if you have the upper floor (accessed via 3 flights of stairs), but be aware that the property is by a major road hugging the lake going into Italy and you can really hear the traffic from below late in the evening and again early in the morning. I think that the apartment itself was probably clean enough, but it just looked a little makeshift, so we did not feel terribly comfortable. There was no soap or shampoo when we arrived; two little individual-sized bottles appeared on the second day. The towels were of all different colors and styles. Although there was a kitchenette, there were no provisions, except for some dishwashing liquid. (We have rented vacation apartments in that expensive city called Paris, where we got bottled water, juice and milk as a welcoming package, and where the kitchen was stocked with a few basic things like salt and oil for guests who might need such things for only one or 2 meals.) The guests whom we met in passing and at breakfasts seemed polite, and some of the staff were friendly and helpful. However, the owner (Francesca Bette) and other staff were rather unfriendly and acted very put off if we asked too many questions --despite the offer on their website to help you plan your sightseeing activities! On another evening, we came down to their restaurant for some desserts. It looked like it was going to rain, but Francesca told us that we could only sit in the open area, since the table with cover was "reserved". A couple came in later, clearly without a reservation from the exchange we heard, and was seated there! ||In all, we got the wonderful view (hence the score of 3/5 instead of 2/5), but the at-best average accommodations and rather unfriendly service left us with an unpleasant feeling. At other places where we stayed during this visit to Switzerland including Zurich and St. Gallen, we encountered very professional and classy services; even at those places geared towards the business crowd, the service was considerably warmer and more considerate than that we received at...

We stayed for 3 nights in early July at Casa Albina, one of several apartment properties offered by Posta al Lago in Porto Ronco (Ticino, Switzerland). We very much liked the beautiful view of Lake Maggiore from the apartment, especially if you have the upper floor (accessed via 3 flights of stairs), but be aware that the property is by a major road hugging the lake going into Italy and you can really hear the traffic from below late in the evening and again early in the morning. I think that the apartment itself was probably clean enough, but it just looked a little makeshift, so we did not feel terribly comfortable. There was no soap or shampoo when we arrived; two little individual-sized bottles appeared on the second day. The towels were of all different colors and styles. Although there was a kitchenette, there were no provisions, except for some dishwashing liquid. (We have rented vacation apartments in that expensive city called Paris, where we got bottled water, juice and milk as a welcoming package, and where the kitchen was stocked with a few basic things like salt and oil for guests who might need such things for only one or 2 meals.) The guests whom we met in passing and at breakfasts seemed polite, and some of the staff were friendly and helpful. However, the owner (Francesca Bette) and other staff were rather unfriendly and acted very put off if we asked too many questions --despite the offer on their website to help you plan your sightseeing activities! On another evening, we came down to their restaurant for some desserts. It looked like it was going to rain, but Francesca told us that we could only sit in the open area, since the table with cover was "reserved". A couple came in later, clearly without a reservation from the exchange we heard, and was seated there! ||In all, we got the wonderful view (hence the score of 3/5 instead of 2/5), but the at-best average accommodations and rather unfriendly service left us with an unpleasant feeling. At other places where we stayed during this visit to Switzerland including Zurich and St. Gallen, we encountered very professional and classy services; even at those places geared towards the business crowd, the service was considerably warmer and more considerate than that we received at...

What this hotel lacked in luxury it more than made up for with location, views and a warm, welcoming service.||||The lady who checked us in didn't speak much English, but then again we didn't speak German either and you get there in the end! ||||The room wasn't as luxurious as others we'd stayed in on our trip but the second you're on the balcony watching the sun set over the mountains behind the lake, that couldn't be less important.||||We decided to drive into Locarno to find some dinner so I can't comment on the local amenities but it's only a 10 minute drive or so to a bustling town center with copious shops and restaurants open into the evening. ||||We were reminded again of what little importance the modern luxurious room has at breakfast on the balcony as the sun was rising in the sky. Tea and coffee was bought to the table and we had our pick of a delicious continental breakfast with lots of fresh fruit too!||||The receptionist on checkout spoke perfect English and seemed genuinely interested in our travel plans. This hotel is a lovely, traditional, charming little spot if you're not seeking...