IL Sereno Lago di Como

El personal fue tan increíblemente amable y servicial que dudo en escribir esta reseña, pero el lugar simplemente no está al nivel de otros hoteles en el Lago Como. Excelente entorno, por supuesto, y las habitaciones están bien, excelentes vistas, pero en general al lugar le falta encanto. El “restaurante gastronómico” se siente como comer en una cantina en el sótano de Roma. Su propiedad en St Barths es mucho mejor. Lugar extraño. Simplemente está fuera de lugar en muchos sentidos... no está a la altura de la grandeza de este majestuoso entorno. Pero, de nuevo, un personal y un servicio maravillosos. Organizaron un viaje en barco privado a mi próximo hotel en el Lago, que fue lo más destacado de mi estancia.

Nunca antes había escrito una reseña, pero me sentí obligado a hacerlo por este hotel. El conserje estaba completamente desesperado antes de que llegáramos y no atendió ni una sola solicitud correctamente. De hecho, arruinó nuestro traslado desde el hotel anterior al no habernos reservado un barco, por lo que tuvimos que coger un coche. Mintió y dijo que no había botes en el lago ese día de su proveedor, luego, después del almuerzo, ¡nos ofreció un recorrido en bote de 2 horas! Al llegar, un miembro del personal nos llevó a uno de sus penthouses (PH3) y ni siquiera quería hacer una ronda completa de exhibición de la habitación. La suite era oscura y asexuada. No hay sistema de sonido. No hay forma de atenuar o suavizar la iluminación nocturna. Ambas cosas parecen extrañas en una construcción moderna. También es interesante que el ático por casi 10.000 euros por noche tuviera las peores vistas del hotel. Como no nos ofrecieron un recorrido por el lugar, intentamos encontrar dónde ir a tomar una copa antes del almuerzo. El menú del almuerzo y el entorno fueron geniales. Tuvimos una buena experiencia en el spa. Nos dirigimos a cenar esperando disfrutar de una excelente comida, ya que el almuerzo estuvo delicioso. Sin embargo, llegamos al restaurante y encontramos que el ambiente era inexistente. Tinny, la música del ascensor se reproducía desde un altavoz muy malo (¿no hay sistema de sonido?) Y distraía bastante, pero era horrible. Nos sentamos afuera. Las luces en el interior se mantienen muy altas, lo que significa que no hay ambiente. Nuestros camareros eran fríos, enérgicos y poco encantadores. Después de haber comido en muchos restaurantes con estrellas Michelin, la comida no estaba a la altura y las porciones eran ridículamente pequeñas. Como parte de un menú fijo de 4 a 6 platos, tiene sentido. Pero en una oferta a la carta, era ridículo. No nos dijeron cómo hacer el pedido, así que elegimos lo que asumimos que era un entrante y un plato principal. Le pedimos a nuestro camarero un plato de verduras para reforzarlo y nos dijeron que solo podían hacer el entrante de calabacín en el menú. Lo ordenamos. Fue acuoso y decepcionante. También era extraño que la mesa de al lado parecía pedir su comida del menú del almuerzo y tenía muchas verduras. Nuestro desayuno del servicio de habitaciones a la mañana siguiente con té, fruta y una tortilla tardó más de 40 minutos en llegar. Todo esto en las primeras 24 horas. Venir a Como y experimentar solo esto sería una gran decepción y un flaco favor para este hermoso lugar. Estamos atónitos de que este sea un hotel líder con excelentes críticas. También nos suelen encantar los interiores y hoteles contemporáneos. Pero no esto. Gracias a Dios por nuestras dos noches en Passalaqua.

We stayed at il Sereno for about four days and we had amazing stay. The staff both at breakfast and at dinner was exceptional. The views of Lake Como is absolutely breathtaking. Definitely would go back and stay at this luxurious hotel. One day we took a boat ride of lake and the surrounding villages. Very memorable experience

This was our second visit and we were expecting the same perfection as last time but were disappointed. Maybe we should have heeded my mother-in-law's advice about all things in life...you can never go back! Here are some pros and cons: The Room (We were placed in the new section completed after our last visit. The smallest room has gotten smaller with limited closet space, but an outstanding direct view of the lake. This room had a musty smell. The welcome champagne and snacks were outstanding). The Concierge (Yannis and his team are terrific and they quickly pulled together a four-hour private boat trip of the Lake and its villas. A real highlight. Also, they moved dining reservations in and out of the hotel on a dime). Food and beverage: A shout out to the bartender that has been there since the beginning...he makes an amazing martini. The restaurant now has a Michelin star, but the food now has that international you could be anywhere taste. Some of the breakfast extras that made it special (e.g. the donut cart, beautifully cut fruit, etc.) are gone. The morning offering pales against other top luxury breakfast buffets in Italy. Have breakfast on your terrace and the view will be your treat. Also, the team at the pool is over-whelmed ...not asking if you'd like a drink, forgetting your order, etc. Two charming but young apprentice workers are part of the team and the crowds have them beat. By adding the new section of rooms the hotel added more chaise lounges, so its crowded. The other guests: This is beyond any hotel's control, but the people around you define an experience. When we were there, yelling unsupervised small children dominated the pool one afternoon and the breakfast area the following morning. Many outside restaurant visitors and hotel guests are often positioned in your view doing social-media photo shoots. The amount of luxury brand swag can allow you to go on a safari and "bag" the big 5... Hermes, Loewe, Dior, Prada and Fendi .. in the first walk through the lobby. Il Sereno is no longer the chic low-key hideaway that built its reputation. But everyone on staff works hard to make it special. The setting, gardens, architecture are tops. And the rates keep climbing.

Easily one of the best, if not the best, hotel in which I have ever stayed. The design of the entire property is outstanding. It is extremely modern, but yet also has a cozy feel. The entire staff is hospitable, warm, friendly, yet not intrusive at all. Rarely does a hotel have such a friendly staff in all areas (bar, restaurant, pool, spa, reception) but somehow they have done it. I strongly recommend getting a room with a balcony; we had breakfast in our room (there's no extra charge if it's included in your room rate) and ate it on the balcony which was a real treat. We also booked a package with the hotel (rather than going through Amex) as it honestly was a better deal - it included a tasting menu (and wine pairing!) at their restaurant. I still remember the pasta course! The restaurant is fancy, but not stuffy. I think it's worth going to at least once. I also really appreciated the healthy food options at the bar/casual restaurant. Sometimes you just want a salad for lunch! They have a delicious, perfectly balanced Nicoise salad that I had multiple times. The only downside has nothing to do with the hotel specifically: Lake Como, wherever you go, is very expensive. Cabs are not reliable, so you have to arrange a car service or boat to other towns. I was extremely content to stay on the property, given everything I've written here. We are already thinking about returning next year!

PLEASE READ - HONEST REVIEW FROM HOTEL SNOB WHO LOVES TOP NOTCH SERVICE AND AMENITIES. IL SERENO ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽❤️❤️❤️ Lake Como’s BEST 5 star resort!!! Wow: this was our first time to Lake Como and Il Sereno was PERFECTION!!! We vacation as a family at many 5 star properties but Sereno is now our favorite!!! - gorgeous property on the lake with stunning views - modern rooms are spacious, comfy and everything works properly - SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE: with only 40 suites the hotel team treats you like family and give the most amazing and thoughtful service. From the guys at the pool & dock, to the concierge team, the food and beverage, even the valet. Everyone treats you like family and is well trained and genuinely wants to provide a great experience. You feel the love and it’s special. (Special shout out to Gabrielle at the pool, Isabella at concierge and Matteo at the restaurant - truly special individuals who my family won’t soon forget. - food is superb: Michelin star restaurant in lobby but they always say yes and even allowed us to order from the all day menu when we wanted less sophisticated foods for the kids (and myself)