Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
N. Italy: Piemonte: Stresa
Built in 1861, this deluxe hotel is situated in a park facing the beautiful Lake Maggiore with a view of the Borromee Islands and the surrounding Alps. The facade of the hotel is considered one of the best examples of the Belle Epoque style in the region. Ernest Hemingway described the hotel in his novel A Farewell to Arms. The hotel's owners are constantly investing in the hotel to keep its many rooms and suites in top condition. The Hemingway Suite is enormous (2400 sq. ft.!) with two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a huge terrace facing the lake. All rooms are luxuriously appointed and have jacuzzi tubs. Lake view rooms - as well as park view rooms - have small balconies. Facilities include a state-of-the-art spa and fitness center with all manner of beauty, weight loss and de-stressing treatments available, sauna, massage, aerobics classes; two outdoor pools - one for swimming and one for diving; a tennis court, and fully-equipped separate conference center, a lake view restaurant, and richly appointed private banquet rooms. There is also a private garden beside the lake with a landing dock for hotel guests, complimentary guest parking garage, and heliport. Tours to visit the beautiful Borromee islands (Isola Bella is not to be missed) are readily available from the hotel.

NOTE: Hotel is normally open year round.