Grand Hotel Majestic

The Grand Hotel Majestic is a beautiful hotel located on the shores of Lake Maggiore. The main lobby and staircase and gardens are lovely. Unfortunately the rooms we saw are in desperate need of an upgrade as very dated. As we were part of a tour group staying two nights, our rooms faced the front of the hotel (as opposed to the lake) and the outside flood lights that light up the hotel also lit up our room like the midday sun so any thoughts of sleep before midnight when they are turned off was impossible. They could solve this problem by simply fitting decent curtains or blind but think the flimsy fabric curtain will suffice. Reception didn't really care when we raised the issue as we were just a tour group booking - how lovely!

Our room was a very small corner room and looked nothing like the website. Room faced the street and seemed damp when you woke up in the morning and possibly moldy. My husband came down with a bad cold on our last day at this hotel. Drapes and bedspread looked very dated and in need of replacement. Location of hotel was at least a 10-15 minute walk to town so if you have mobility issues it is challenging.

Superb service, understated elegance, delicious food, breathtaking views, good location. Thomas Schmidt leads a highly trained team with a clear mission to make you want to return!

We had a week at this beautiful hotel from 9th to 16th June. It was part of a 40th wedding anniversary. We were given room 310, a deluxe suite, which was lovely and spacious with two balconies overlooking the lake. All the staff were very friendly, in particular the team on reception who were extremely helpful. We ate two nights in the restaurant, and what was a really nice touch was the manager came round and spoke of all the guests who were dining. The hotel is in a peaceful location right on the edge of the lake and the architecture and furnishings are of a classical design. It is conveniently situated only about a 8-10 minute walk into the main square of Pallanza where you can get the ferry to the various little islands and Stresa. There are some nice little restaurants on the square and one which is just before the main square called II Burchiello. To all the staff and manager, a big thank you for making our stay memorable.

We stayed at the Grand Hotel Majestic for a weekend trip. As my headline says, this stay was a mixed one. I will list both the PROs and CONs we experienced: PROs: - The location. The views are splendid, no matter if you are on the terrace, in the garden, the rooms, or the restaurant. And I think this is what you pay for. - The concierge service: We had a few requests (a taxi transfer, a boat rental) which were managed fast, friendy, and efficiently. Thanks! CONs: - The room standard: Yes, this is a somehow historic building, and you have to adapt the furniture to it. Fine and appreciated. Yet, I'd still expect an air condition that works silently and a matress that does not keep me up half the night because it is really hard (same for the pillows). - The breakfast room: A large room, stone floor, lot of noise. Yes, the view is great, but it lacks ambience and privacy. - Handling of food intolerance/declaration of dishes on the menu: Unfortunately, I am dairy intolerant. This is not too rare nowadays and while I do not expect the hotel kitchen to change everything because of my predisposition, I appreciate to be informed properly. For instance, according to the bar menu, the avocado/salmon sandwich does not contain dairy. So I ordered it. It came with a buttered toast. Thus, I ate only the salmon and avocado - no harm done, but not what you expect in a hotel that charges over 1,000 euros for two nights. Thus, my resume is as follows: compared to other hotels with comparable room rates, the Grand Hotel Majestic falls behind in terms of comfort (which does not mean modern!) and 360degree-perfect service. Its main USP is the prime location with beautiful views over the lake and a peaceful garden.