Villa Crespi

Firstly this is a spectacular, historic, building that is truly impressive both inside and out. Booking was straightforward online and problem free. Note there is a famous Michelin starred restaurant onsite. This is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays making those evening have greater availability. Staff were truly wonderful. Incredibly helpful, courteous and friendly. Everyone we met spoke excellent English. Breakfast was wonderful, with a typical selection of Italian baked goods, fresh fruits, juices, yoghurts and cereals. There was also a chef manned egg station, but we didn’t use this. Our room (221) had a view over the gardens an was very well equipped and comfortable. Air conditioning was effective and relatively quiet. Coffee in the room was also good but it took a few moments to figure out the machine. The bar was comfortable and provided an excellent service.

We spent three nights at Villa Crespi. It is one of the most beautiful places we have ever stayed. 14 rooms overlooking Lake Orta. The hotel is predominantly there because of the wonderful 3 star Michelin restaurant which is open from Wednesday through to Saturday. We arrived on a Sunday and departed on the Thursday so we ate in the restaurant on our last night. We cannot emphasise the beauty, tranquility and comfort, not to mention the service from the Wednesday morning (when the full team was on board). Thank you to Stephanie the general manager and all hee team for making our stay so memorable.

Villa Crespi is stunning. It's location overlooking Lake Orta and just a short walk down to Orta San Giulio makes for a wonderful break. The staff are lovely. Attentive, friendly, personal and delightful. Our room was large, comfortable and well appointed with a marvellous view. Great breakfast. We would go back tomorrow. Transfer from Milan Malapensa with Antonio was great - well worth it and a lovely chap.

This is a definite 5 star experience! The moorish designed villa is divine set amongst beautiful gardens with views overlooking the water. We stayed for 3 nights in a suite with the 4 poster bed and a beautiful bathroom with gorgeous toiletries and good quality bed/bath linens. It was a very comfortable, beautiful room with orchids in the room and handmade jellies in a little glass box left in your room together with a bottle of Prosecco - it's these nice little personal luxuries that are included (that you pay for too!) that make the stay so enjoyable. Had drinks in the bar downstairs a few times, breakfast outside on the terrace one day and inside another (due to inclement weather). The breakfast provided is of very high quality with beautiful fruit selection, pastries etc. Coffee is barista made, omelettes made to order by chef. Everything is of the highest quality. One waiter was a bit hopeless but I forgave him as he was so obliging and apologetic!! One night we ate in the Michelin starred restaurant - set menu, staff very professional and precise, beautiful linens and table scapes serving a divine menu and exquisite wines. Yes we spent a fortune but it was worth it. The whole experience is otherworldly, like being on a very glamorous movie set - imagine Cary Grant and Grace Kelly and you'll get the picture (pardon the pun). So it was lovely swanning around feeling like lady of the manor - even if it was only for a few days! p.s. Location was good - we walked into the village of Orta (which is lovely - there is a linen shop with beautiful tablecloths etc - a must visit if you like that sort of thing (my husband nearly fell off his chair when he saw how much I spent there!) If you go in there the owner will show you a photo of Richard Gere buying linen there! Who knows if this is true but it did look like him or someone like him and it made us chuckle.. Anyway, I bought a beautiful white linen table cloth with hand blocked blue fish and napkins to go with it - very good quality. Restaurants in the village square are good too but you need to book. We also stayed in Stresa and we preferred Orta.

It's a magical place. a friend from torino recommended it so we booked without really exploring online. the hotel is amazing - you drive up and we ask what is this mosque doing in the middle of italy. it was built in 1880s. our room was very nice - huge. old world decorations. very elegant. our room faced the road so a bit noisy. we didn't have a bathtub. the staff is AMAZING. the breakfast is great. we did the 3 star meal - never have done that before. checked it off our list. the little village on the lake was awesome. we spent most days there.