Hotel in Stresa next May

[SusanSeattle]

I will be in Stresa From May 2nd to May 4th. I am hoping to find a centrally located hotel with twin beds.
I've been looking at TA and booking, and the reviews all seem fairly mixed. I'm hoping someone who has stayed in Stresa will have some ideas for me.

I'd like to stay under 200 euros/night.

 

[susan]

Hi Susan,

I stayed at a room in the annexe building of the Hotel du Parc back in the summer of 2009. I was very happy with the hotel. The room was very basic but comfortable with an great view. The breakfast was served next door in the main hotel. The woman running the hotel was very kind. I liked the fact that it was a few minutes walk from the center instead of right down on the lake, but it was still very centrally located as the town is quite small. It looks like there are many options available all under 200 euros/night. It was years ago though, so I can't vouch for the upkeep of the hotel for a more recent stay, but when I was there, I was very happy with the hotel and I am a pretty picky person when it comes to hotels.

 

[SusanSeattle]

Thanks for the info, Susan
I actually sent an email to this hotel today & am waiting for a reply. The website doesn't let you book twin beds, so I am waiting to see if they are possible there.

Just saw that you have a blog. Excited to read it - our trip includes Stresa, Mantova, Vicenza, and a return stay in Bologna & it looks like you have been to several of these locations.

 

[susan]

Hi Susan,

My bed was 2 twins pushed together, so I that should be an option.

I don't think I have Vicenza in my blog (been there only once for a few hours) but have written about all the other places you are visiting. I am a rare person who was not very excited about Mantova BUT it was a quick over night stay, so I really need to go back and give it a second chance.

Let me know if I can help in any other way!

Sounds like a great trip!!

 

[SusanSeattle]

Thanks! Did you visit Villa Taranto while you were in Stresa? I am wondering about whether it's worth the trip to get there by public transport - did you take a bus or a boat?

 

[susan]

Yes, I did visit Villa Taranto. I thought it was well worth a visit. The gardens were amazing! I was there in July. I'm not sure what the flower situation would be like in May. I took the boat. I love boat rides so I always choose a boat when it is an option. Not sure if there is a bus from Stresa to Villa Taranto.

I did take a bus (crazy ride!) to Orta San Giulio. It was a long travel day, but I am really glad I went. Orta was beautiful.

Another place I would recommend visiting while in Stresa is Santa Caterina del Sasso. I did 3 blog posts about Santa Caterina del Sasso because I took so many photos there.

My blog posts about my time in Stresa are not organized that well - I wrote some posts while in Italy, wrote some more later while back home AND it took me until recently to finally finish up that trip.

I added couple of links below to make it easier to find my posts about my time in Stresa. I also added a link for the boats and a link for the gardens of Villa Taranto that may be helpful.

Stresa & day trips on the lake

Orta San Giulio

boat info

Villa Taranto Gardens

 

[SusanSeattle]

These are fantastic posts. Your photos of Santa Caterina are lovely.

I had a boat question for you. Did the boats you took to the islands, Villa Taranto, and Santa Caterina all leave from the central boat pier? I am not sure of which boats run from there and which go near Piazalle Lido.

I ended up booking a hotel - Hotel Residence La Luna Nel Porto. The reviews looked good & it will save my mom some walking up the hill.

 

[susan]

Thanks!! That looks like a great hotel choice - much fancier than where I stayed.

I think all the boats leave from the main boat pier (I believe it is located right by the info center). It looks like it is not that far of a walk from your hotel.

Didn't realize you were traveling with your mom. Not sure if she would enjoy the bus ride to Orta. There were a few hills to navigate from the bus stop down to the waterfront of Orta San Giulio.

From my memory, the islands off of Stresa, the gardens of Villa Taranto, & Santa Caterina were all very accessible (except for the stairs from the boat up to Santa Caterina. I think once you depart the boat, there is a narrow winding pathway to get up to the buildings (but there also could have been stairs). I'm sure the tourist info point will have that info for you. Below is a cropped photo of the boat drop off point for Santa Caterina. If you can get there though, I would definitely recommend it. It was one of my favorite places I visited while in Stresa.

I do remember that it was sometimes a challenge to get a table for dinner (until I found some more out of the way places to eat). Of course, I was there in July/high tourist season. I would think it would be less crowded in the beginning of May.

 

[SusanSeattle]

This is fantastic info, thank you. We are really looking forward to our trip!

I would have been happy with Hotel du Parc as it looks very charming, but I think the other hotel will be better for my mom.