Laqua by the Lake

We spent one night at this upscale, modern hotel on the shore of Lake Orta. Our room was a spacious suite with a partial lake view, consisting of a living room/kitchenette, large bathroom and comfortable bedroom. Lots of closet and drawer space, all the furnishings very nice and the bed comfortable. All the standard room amenities, but note that the room lighting was totally inadequate. The outdoor infinity pool was great for late afternoon swim on a gorgeous day; there is also easy access (via a ladder) into the lake for a brisk, refreshing swim. There is no fitness center, but I noted that bicycles and stand-up surfboards were available to guests, as well as motorboat rentals. There is a Michelin-starred restaurant on site: elegant, fabulous service and lovely lake view. Overall Laqua is an upscale, five star lakeside property.

We had a lovely stay in Pettanesco, Italy, and the lake was absolutely beautiful—perfectly located and so serene. Each morning, we looked forward to breakfast and were warmly greeted by Clara, who was incredibly helpful. She gave us excellent restaurant recommendations and really understood what we were looking for, which made our stay even more enjoyable. One of our favorite parts was the easy access to boat rentals through the front desk.The hotel itself would definitely benefit from having a bar or lounge, especially for enjoying cocktails by the lounge chairs while soaking in the stunning views. Housekeeping was efficient, though there was a small misunderstanding: I had asked for a laundry bag, and instead, our laundry was done and charged without me explicitly requesting it. Also, due to the humidity, we noticed ants in the room, and there was no proper storage space or drawers for clothing, which made unpacking a bit tricky. That said, the room had a great view and the overall vibe was peaceful and quiet—just what we wanted for a relaxing anniversary celebration.

Top notch. Extremely attentive and friendly staff, beautiful surroundings and fantastic breakfast. Perfect spot for our honeymoon and can’t wait to go back.