Via Sempione, 12, Baveno, Italy | (888) 399-9863
Elegant rooms are classically decorated -- some to breathtaking effect
Each room has a furnished balcony and views of the Alps or lake
Conveniently located close to the center of town (10-minute walk) and harbor
Loungers set on sandy area next to the shore
Outdoor pool, plus spa with hot tub, sauna, and gym (fee)
All-day restaurant and bar with a large scenic terrace
Suites are opulent and huge, with large bathrooms and fantastic views
Plenty to do on-site, including tennis courts and soccer pitch
Seven meeting rooms are available for business groups
Wi-Fi free only for a short initial period
Steep daily charge for the wellness facilities, including gym
Antenna TVs might not work consistently, usually due to weather
The 102-room Hotel Splendid lives up to its name with its setting on the shore of Lake Maggiore and classically elegant interiors. Built in 1873, the property continues to be run by the Zacchera family, and it's an excellent value for couples seeking a romantic getaway. Upscale rooms have rich fabrics, and each comes with a balcony and lovely views of the Alps or lake. However, guests should be aware that the price is just for the room: Wi-Fi (after a brief free period), breakfast, and access to the gorgeous wellness facilities are added on -- and quite expensive. For an equally opulent hotel but with more included amenities, guests should check out the Grand Hotel des Illes Borromees in nearby Stresa.
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Scene
The hotel impresses from the start with classically refined elegance.
Established as a tavern in 1873, Francesco Zacchera expanded the property into an inn before it became a hotel. Generations later, the family owns several properties in the area and still oversees the management of Hotel Splendid. Classically elegant, with a gorgeous red exterior and lots of antiques, rich woods, and gorgeous textiles in the lobby alone, Hotel Splendid is impressive from the start. One of the most defining spaces in the hotel is the bar, which encapsulates the property's elegance -- think leather barstools and stained-glass light fixtures above refined seating nooks). It also spreads to an outdoor terrace with modern wicker furniture and stunning views of Lake Maggiore. This is a decent pick for families and business travelers, but couples will find the property especially ideal for a romantic trip.
Location
Quietly located outside of town, but still just a short walk from the center
Located on the shore of Lake Maggiore, Hotel Splendid's views of the water and Alps are about as postcard-perfect as they come. It's also located a short (11-minute) walk into the center of Baveno, where there are plenty of options for dining. From town, guests can catch the ferry around the bay to visit different towns and islands. Malpensa Airport is 50 minutes by car, or almost two hours by transit and requiring several changes. Bergamo's airport is two hours by car and about three and a half hours by transit (again, with several changes). The rail station in Baveno, located centrally in town, is just 10 minutes by foot from the hotel.
Rooms
Polished rooms have balconies with views of the Alps or lake.
Like the rest of the property, rooms have an attractive design that's traditional and polished. The rooms reflect the aged grace of the property through rich fabrics such as damask-print bedding, antique wooden furniture, and large oil paintings. Marble bathrooms are spacious, with large soaking tubs and separate showers, a selection of upmarket toiletries, bidets, and hairdryers. Every room has a furnished balcony, and it's hard to go wrong when it comes to selecting a view with a choice of either the Alps or the lake.
Rooms have minibars and wardrobes with safes, as well as flat-screen TVs (with gilded frames in some), however, the antenna reception can be patchy. Air-conditioning is available during summer. Suites are particularly stunning, with features such as opulently canopied four-poster beds, striking red-mosaic-tiled showers, and velvet-upholstered furniture. Bathrooms have larger showers and terraces, plus a wider array of toiletries.
Features
Private beach area, plus several wellness features for a fee
The hotel touts its private beach on Lake Maggiore, though it's really a dock with sand under loungers, plus a pier with stairs for getting in the water. An outdoor pool is also available for swimming and inlaid with mosaic tile that catches the sun and sparkles; nearby is a large terrace with plenty of loungers for sunbathing. There are a well-equipped gym, sauna, Turkish bath, hot tub, and salt sauna on-site, but disappointingly, access to all of these areas comes at a steep daily charge. Spa services, including massages and facials, are also offered. The tennis court and soccer field are available for free.
The hotel's all-day restaurant receives good reviews and features traditional Italian cuisine in a formal setting, though it's expensive compared to what can be purchased in town. Meals and drinks can be taken on a terrace overlooking the water. The property also caters to business travelers with seven meeting rooms, some of which are quite large. Wi-Fi is only free for a limited time, and after that, incurs a charge.
