Grand Plaza/Locanda Maggiore, Montecatini terme

Advantages: Romantic breathtaking scenery
Disadvantages: Expensive

...Lake Maggiore or Verbano as it is called locally contains three islands called The Isola Borromeos. We stayed in Stresa, which is a very elegant resort on the western side of the lake where you get a wonderful view of the three islands, and in particular Isola Bella. When we first visited the lake a few years ago we stayed at The Astoria Hotel and had a room at the front with a balcony overlooking this island. It was wonderful to wake up in the morning and see the statues and towers of the Pallazo Borremeo suspended in the blue of the lake. The lake is 65km long and 372metres at the deepest point. It stretches from Locarno in Switzerland to Arona Italy. This time (Sept 03) we stayed at the Regina Palace which has wonderful food and service to match but it is more expensive and we could only get a room at the back overlooking the hills... Read review

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Advantages: very nice sightseeing locations
Disadvantages: none

...The Lago Maggiore or Verbano as called by locals is located some 50 km northwest of Milan or just 20 from Malpensa International airport. Tis lake lays on area of glacial era origin. The north tip of the lake is belong to Switzerland while the west shore is in Piedmont region and the est in Lombardy region. All around the lake you will find a lot of old villas with gardens and parks. Our tour starts in Arona (on the west shore of the lake). ARONA Is a nice small city famous for a tall and big bronze statue of San Carlo Borromeo (the locals call this statue "San Carlone" that means big Charles)that was the archbishop of Milan around the end of 1500 century. This statue has been erected in 1697 on the top of an hill overlooking Arona and it is 36 meter tall. With a small fee in can enter inside the statue and climbing... Read review

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Advantages: Lovely Old Building. Fabulous View. Wonderful Food. Service.
Disadvantages: Shortage of Parking. Some dingy, scruffy stairs and passageways. Dirty Curtains.

...NOTE TO CIAO: Strictly speaking I myself have to regard this review as "Off Topic" as the Grand has not been part of the Best Western group for some years. However, as Ciao emailed me the following message, I see little alternative to publishing it here: "Hello RICHADA Thank you very much for your product proposal Grand Hotel Torquay, Devon. We haven't made a new entry because the product you have proposed already exists on Ciao. Please check the appropriate category again or try to find it with the search engine. There may have been a spelling error in your previous query. We hope that you'll continue helping us to build the best website ever! http://travel.ciao.co.uk/BestWesternTheGrandHotelTorquayTorq uay6386161 Best Regards The Ciao Team" ON WITH THE REVIEW! WHY DID WE BOOK THE GRAND HOTEL TORQUAY... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful