Via Gippini 11, Navigatore Via Poli 9, Orta San Giulio, Italy | (618) 248-8274
Beautiful location and views out to the natural scenery of the lake
Five minutes' walk from the town piazza
Contemporary, serene rooms have minibars, array of toiletries, and safes
Many rooms have furnished balconies with at least partial lake views
Good-sized outdoor pool next to loungers under umbrellas
Partly floating deck in the water is a popular place for an apertivo
Free breakfast served at all-day restaurant
Rooftop terrace with a hot tub
Billiards and meeting rooms available
Some dated decor throughout
Air-conditioning in the rooms can be hard to adjust
TV channels are mostly in Italian, and the reception is poor
Complaints of slow, albeit free, Wi-Fi
No fitness or spa facilities
The upper-middle-range San Rocco Hotel is a beautiful property situated along the lake and a five-minute walk from the town's piazza. The hotel's history as a convent is a rich one, and the views out to the lake are gorgeous, but the property seems to rest too much on the beauty of the scenery, forgoing spa facilities and upscale amenities in rooms. Still, the 85 rooms have a serene feel, and come with flat-screen TVs, and hairdryers, plus many have furnished balconies with gorgeous lake views. An outdoor pool and mostly well-reviewed free breakfast add to the appeal. Those looking for a better all-around experience might try the Hotel La Bussola, which is also much cheaper.
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Scene
Lakeside property that dates back centuries to origins as a convent
Dating back, reportedly, to the mid-17th century, the hotel's site was first a convent for 150 years. The hotel still bears testament to its origins through the monastery wall that partially surrounds the property. Since then, it's expanded with the addition of the baroque Villa Gippini, which now houses some of the property's rooms. Decor throughout reflects the convent origins, with stained glass, ceiling frescoes, and gilded classical portraits. Furnishings throughout air on the simple and neutral-tone side. The restaurant's wood-beam ceiling and fireplace are elegant, but it's the arched windows providing views over the lake that make the space special. The hotel caters to business travelers with its meeting rooms and conference room, but the majority of guests here are leisure travelers.
Location
Lakeshore settingwith spectacular views
The hotel is right on the lakeshore at the edges of Orta San Giulio, which is a pretty postcard-perfect town -- think winding cobblestone streets and baroque architecture. The main piazza is about a five-minute walk away, offering plenty of restaurants and bars. It's the views to the lake, however, which can be taken from multiple vantage points, that are truly spectacular. Milan Malpensa airport, the closest one to the hotel, is about 2 hours and 15 minutes away by public transit or about 55 minutes away by car.
Rooms
Rooms are sparse, but modern and serene
The hotel's rooms are spread out across two buildings: the main one and the Villa Gippini, which features some of the fancier rooms, including the Presidential Suite. Keeping in line with the building's convent history, rooms are sparsely furnished, but they're contemporary and have a serene feel with clean lines and a palette of white, taupe, and beige. Many rooms have a furnished balcony with at least partial lake views, and they're worth the upgrade. Standard amenities include a minibar, flat-screen TV with finicky reception and majority Italian-language channels, safe, and desk with a chair. There's also air-conditioning, but it can be difficult to adjust. Bathrooms are a bit on the small side, with a shower/tub combo, old-school hairdryer, and a generous basket of toiletries.
Features
Breakfast is mediocre, but the pool is nice enough
The hotel's restaurant on the second floor serves average Mediterranean and international dishes -- it seems to rely more on the views to carry the meal rather than the food. Breakfast is free and includes a continental spread as well as omelettes and poached eggs, but the food isn't generally the best. The elegant bar has lake views and leather club-style chairs. A well-maintained outdoor swimming pool is a good size and lined with loungers and umbrellas. Unfortunately, there's no food or drink service available. Up on the fifth-floor roof is a sun terrace and hot tub. There are six meeting rooms and a conference room on-site, as well as a room with a pool table. A downside for some is the hotel's lack of fitness and spa facilities. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the property, though the reception is spotty. Parking on-site is covered and requires a reasonable per-day cost.
