The Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées is the classic honeymoon address on Lake Maggiore and one of the best-value grand hotels in the Italian lakes. It faces the water on the Stresa promenade, with the baroque palace of Isola Bella and the fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori floating just offshore. The building is a Belle Époque landmark, all chandeliers, gilded salons and a long white facade, set in gardens that run down to the lake.
Hemingway knew it well. He stayed here while convalescing after the First World War and came back in 1948 and the hotel's largest suite carries his name. Beyond the history, the hotel has invested heavily in modern comforts: a 3,000-square-meter spa with indoor and outdoor pools, a floating pool and a snow cabin, plus pools in the park with hydromassage beds and waterfalls.
It suits couples who want old-world romance at a lower price than Lake Como, with ferries to the islands and Villa Taranto close by. It is less suited to couples who want a small boutique hotel, since this is a big, busy grand hotel with weddings and events, especially on summer weekends.
Highlights at a glance
- Belle Époque palace on the Stresa lakefront
- Views to Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori
- 3,000-square-meter Des Iles Spa
- The 150-square-meter Hemingway Suite
- Ferries to the islands a short walk away
Why Couples Love the Borromées
The view is the first thing. From the lake-view rooms and the breakfast terrace you look straight across to the Borromean Islands, with mountains rising behind them. At night the palace on Isola Bella is lit and reflected in the water.
The second is the sense of stepping back into the era of grand tours. The public rooms are ornate in the best way, with high ceilings, marble and painted details and the Hemingway connection gives the place a literary glow. Hemingway sent the lovers of A Farewell to Arms to Stresa and couples tend to like that detail.
The hotel also works practically. You can walk to the ferry landing for the islands, stroll Stresa's lakefront for gelato and catch the train to Milan for a day trip. Rates are generally gentler than at comparable Como hotels.
Rooms and Suites to Book
There are eight room types. Garden View Rooms of about 20 to 22 square meters and compact Attic Rooms are the entry options. Lake View Rooms of about 22 to 24 square meters add the view. Junior Suites run about 30 to 35 square meters, Junior Suite Deluxe about 35 to 42 and the Royal Suite about 50 to 55, all facing the lake. The Imperial Suite reaches 70 to 80 square meters.
For a honeymoon, book at least a Lake View Room and ideally a Junior Suite Deluxe or Royal Suite for more space and a sitting area. The lake view is what makes the stay feel special.
The Hemingway Suite, on the first floor of the Art Nouveau building, is about 150 square meters with two rooms. It is a splurge and suits couples who want a story to tell.
Food, Drink and the Spa
The Borromeo Restaurant is the formal dining room, open to outside guests, with a strong reputation for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free cooking. The hotel's gluten-free menu has been certified by the Italian Celiac Association since 2001, which is useful if either of you needs it. Il Bistrot, near the pools, is the relaxed option for lunch.
Breakfast is served on the lakeside terrace in good weather, a lovely way to start the day.
The Des Iles Spa covers about 3,000 square meters and is one of the largest hotel spas on the Italian lakes. It has indoor and outdoor pools, a whirlpool, a Kneipp path, a sauna, a Turkish bath and hammam, a snow cabin and a floating pool, plus private spa options for two. The pools in the park, opened in 2021, add a diving board and waterfalls.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Start with the Borromean Islands. Isola Bella has a baroque palace and terraced gardens with white peacocks. Isola Madre has a botanical garden full of exotic plants. Isola dei Pescatori is a fishing village with lakeside restaurants for lunch. Ferries leave from Stresa's landing a short walk from the hotel.
Across the lake at Verbania, the gardens of Villa Taranto are spectacular in spring, when azaleas and rhododendrons bloom. The Mottarone, the mountain above Stresa, gives views over several lakes and the Alps.
For a change of pace, take a day trip by boat to Locarno in Switzerland or by train to Milan. Lake Orta, a smaller and very romantic lake with the island of San Giulio, is about 30 minutes by car.
Getting There
Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the nearest major airport, about 50 km away or roughly 45 minutes by car. The hotel can arrange transfers from Malpensa, Milan Linate and Turin. Many couples arriving from the United States land at Malpensa and are on the lake in time for lunch.
By rail, Stresa is on the line between Milan and Switzerland, with trains from Milano Centrale taking about an hour. The station is a short walk or taxi ride from the hotel.
You do not need a car in Stresa. Ferries link the islands and lakeside towns and taxis cover short trips. Parking, both covered and uncovered, is free for guests if you drive.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want grand-hotel romance without Lake Como prices, yes. A lake-view room here usually costs much less than a comparable room on Como and the spa is a real asset. Combine it with a few days in Milan or the Alps for a complete trip.
It is not intimate. This is a large hotel with conferences, weddings and families in summer and the public spaces can be busy. Couples who prefer a small boutique hotel or a modern design aesthetic may find it too formal.
The season usually starts in February and runs into late autumn. May, June and September are best for swimming in the park pools, while April is glorious for the gardens.
Insider tips
- Book a lake-view category, since garden rooms miss the islands
- Visit Isola Bella at opening time to beat the tour groups
- Ask about private spa sessions for two
- Take the ferry to Isola dei Pescatori for a lakeside lunch
