IL Sereno Lago di Como

Never written a review before, but felt compelled to for this hotel. The concierge was utterly hopeless before we arrived and didn’t get a single request right. In fact he ruined our transfer from the previous hotel by not having booked a boat for us, so we had to get a car. He lied and said there were no boats on the lake that day from their supplier, then after lunch, offered us a 2hour boat tour!! On arrival, we were shown to one of their pent houses (PH3) by a member of staff who didn’t even want to do a full room show round. The suite was dark and sexless. There is no sound system. There is no way to dim or soften evening lighting. Both of these things seem strange in a modern build. Also interestingly for the penthouse at almost €10k per night had the worst views in the hotel. Having not been offered a tour of the place, we tried to find where we should head for a drink before lunch. The lunch menu and setting was great. We had a good experience in the spa. We headed for dinner in anticipation of great food, as lunch was delicious. However, we arrived at the restaurant to find the atmosphere non existent. Tinny, elevator music was being played from a very bad speaker (no sound system?) and was quite amusingly distracting - but awful. We sat outside. The lights indoors are kept very high, and means there is zero ambience. Our servers were cold, brisk, and un-charming. Having eaten at many Michelin starred restaurants, the food was not up to scratch and the portions laughably tiny. As part of a set menu of 4-6 courses, it makes sense. But on an a la Cart offering, it was ridiculous. We were not instructed how to order so went for what we assumed was a starter and main. We asked our server for a plate of vegetables to beef it up and were told that they could only do the courgette starter on the menu. We ordered it. It was watery and disappointing. Also strange as the table next to us seemed to order their food from the lunch menu and had plenty of vegetables. Our room service breakfast the next morning of tea, fruit and an omelette took more than 40 mins to arrive. All this in the first 24hours. To come to Como and only experience this would be a huge disappointment and disservice to the beautiful place. We are gobsmacked that this is a leading hotel with great reviews. We also usually love contemporary interiors and hotels. But not this. Thank heavens for our two nights at Passalaqua.

Exceptional stay! The location, service, and food were all outstanding. Everything was so enjoyable that we didn’t want to leave. This was truly a stay to remember, and we will definitely be back.