Grand Hotel Majestic
N. Italy: Piemonte: Pallanza
Built in 1870, this privately owned hotel has historically been a favorite among crowned heads of state, artists, and musicians such as Claude Debussy, Toscanini and Eleanora Duse. The hotel stands on a promontory that juts out spectacularly into Lake Maggiore, affording sweeping views of the mountains, the Borromee Islands, and the lake itself.

Surrounded by a flower-scented English-style garden, the hotel boasts a private waterfront with its own dock and small, lovely beach which is only a stone's throw from the tiny, picturesque island of San Giovanni, favorite haunt of the composer Toscanini and summer residence of the noble Borromeo family. Located on the west shore of the lake, the property was completely refurbished by the current owners and is now a four-star superior hotel with fully equipped doubles and junior suites and wonderful resort facilities.

Only moments from the town of Pallanza, one of the two flower capitals of the lake, the hotel is an oasis of peace and tranquility, yet its location permits easy access by car or boat to a myriad of activities: jazz festivals, numerous gourmet restaurants featuring local specialties, antiques markets, shopping, the Borromee Islands, botanical gardens such as Villa Taranto, visits to ancient monasteries, and the list goes on.

Facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a beauty and wellness center offering a range of treatments, sauna, and fitness room, restaurant, pool bar, 24-hour concierge service. The hotel also offers banquet, meeting and conference facilities.