More about Britannia Excelsior
Hotel not the best but still had a fantastic time.
by A TripAdvisor Member
I've just come back from a stay at the Hotel Britannia Excelsior. Before flying out, I accessed the tripadvisor website and was disappointed with the reviews about the hotel. I went with an open mind, however, and was prepared for anything!!
We went in September and the hotel was rather overbooked - which showed. Our hotel room was basic but tolerable as the views from our window were beyond belief. The staff were overworked and mealtimes were hectic to say the least with people crashing into you at all angles!! In the mornings, you had to take your life in to your hands to get a cup of coffee and had to wrestle people off you. We were woken at 6 am every morning with the sound of smashing bottles in the bottle bank below and loud mopeds screeching out. The hotel obviously caters for the 'more mature' person which meant that the entertainment was not to our taste at all - not the fault of the hotel at all.
However, if you're going to stay at the hotel, please do not let any of the reviews put you off. The Lake Como area is absolutely amazing and although the hotel is not up-to-scratch, there is plenty to do in the surrounding areas. We ate out a lot and, although the food in the hotel was perfectly palatable, there was some gorgeous food to be had elsewhere.
I look back on our holiday and the hotel with fantastic memories though and had a brilliant time. I cannot stress how beautiful Lake Como is and will definitely go back to the area in the future.
Bad Hotel
by A TripAdvisor Member
My wife and I have just returned from a trip with Shearings to the Hotel Britannia Lake Como, we originally booked for another hotel but Shearings changed it shortly before our departure. We were given room 301 as no others were available. The bathroom floor was dirty and there was a dreadful smell,the receptionist sent 6 staff to clean the room but the smell persisted, there was mould on the wall which got worse as the week went on.
The net curtains in the bedroom were filthly and falling down with age,the window leaked when it rained. The area is nice but DON'T GO TO THIS HOTEL
loved lake como, but.....
by A TripAdvisor Member
I have read all the reviews for the Hotel Britannia Excelcior and have come to the conclusion that some people just have no taste or have been to some very dodgy Italian hotels before if they really think that this hotel is marvellous. We stayed there in August 2004 and i can truly say it was the worst holiday of our lives. It was shabby, dirty, the staff were disinterested and rude. The food was not only cold and bland but unhygienically served. It was certainly plentiful, but who wants more awful food. The hotel was filled to the brim with elderly people on coach holidays, namely Shearings who seemed content with bad food, undrinkable local alcohol and bingo. The only saving grace was the stunning views of Lake Como from the windows and the beautiful sunshine, neither of which was thanks to the Hotel Britannia Exelcior. If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself staying at this hotel, which i would say wants completely refurbishing to come any way near a 3 star rating, I would go out a lot to other resorts on the lake. Bellagio is lovely, Varenna is like stepping back in time. Tremezzo has some gorgeous restaurants. In fact anywhere other than Cadenabbia is highly recommended.
The Great & The Beautiful
by A TripAdvisor Member
Having recently returned from one of the most beautiful attractions in the world I thought I would share my experiences with you.
I have no complaint at all with Lake Como, it's scenery in a nutshell - beautiful, one the must see's in the world!
However, my breakaway was somewhat spoilt by the great hotel, which was understaffed and in desperate need of redecoration in places. (Something, I hope will be rectified before the start of the 2005 holiday season).
On the positive side, the hotel staff were pleasant, they did their best to accommodate the needs of their guests, one staff member in particular had probably been there since the hotel was built, adding to it's character.
All in all this was a unique and enjoyable experience and if you have the chance - you just have to see it to believe it!
So why not check out The Great and The Beautiful for yourself!
A beautiful area deserving a better hotel
by TripAdvisor Member desbee2
We went with Shearings - our first experience - on an all inclusive package but never again. Anticipation is everything but spoiled by reality. Room very basic and far too small, we had to dress separately as there was no room for both. One foot of space at the foot of the bed. Bathroom had a 4 piece suite but was more suited to a sardine. We had asked for two rooms close to each other (one for a mature widow accompanying us) we got a double room with a small single annexe (no ensuite in the annexe as advertised) but on complaining we all moved rooms at our own labour. result two small rooms.
Food disappointing . little choice and a free for all canteen servery - reminiscent of school meals.Veg almost always overcooked. The desserts were always canned fruit and ice cream plus a piece of cake. No Cheese and biscuits. Hot Breakfast was a choice - greasy bacon one day , salami another - always with scrambled egg only. tea bags and a hot water machine - queue to fill a cup - queue again for a refill - very few tea pots available. Dining room usually crowded. No toast.
Public area in the evenings very overcrowded with guests bringing in plastic chairs from outside in order to provide a seat. (weather inclement admittedly) Very noisy. a bit like a working mens club on Saturday night, Bar staff excellent but overworked, likewise reception staff. The hotel is on a BUSY main road and hazardous when leaving by the front door. We ate out three nights and most lunches (the packed lunches were an insult )-for quality and relaxation- twenty minutes walk to a good restaurant. Some guests were accommodated at another hotel using the Brittania dining and bar facilities - other were sent across the lake - due to overbooking.
Some seemed to enjoy it but we shall look elsewhere next time. We will come back- the location is beautiful - pity about the hotel
Pleasant autumn holiday with exquisite scenery.
by A TripAdvisor Member
An early October holiday was something new to us, but on arrival at the hotel, the temperature was just ideal.......hazy sun, dry, no wind.
Our room was large with an excellent lake view (for this extra had been paid). The furniture was old, but all-in-all comfortable apart from the squeaky double bed.
In the spacious restaurant, self-service for all meals made for less wasted time. The second dining room is to be recommended as it is better ventilated. There was a large selection of food for breakfast, with hot dishes form 8am-9am. However no toaster was available.
The lunch and dinner menus changed daily....several choices, including fish. Whilst there was only one hot vegetable, it was easy enough to augment this by patronising the salad bar. The majority of the sweets were sponge-cake based, and, in addition to a variety of fresh fruit, there were always eight different flavours of ice cream available.
On the drinks side, the house red wine was most disappointing and the white only average (or is it that we both prefer new world wines?!) The best coffee mix was one part espresso added to one part hot milk.
With one exception, the head waiter who is long past his use by date, all the staff are to be complimented for their excellent service; they were always very pleasant and helpful.
Despite the few flaws, this is a holiday venue that can be recommended.
Cheap holiday what do you expect?
by TripAdvisor Member crossey
Travelled to this hotel with Shearings.
On the Friday night before we left I found this web site and thought or my god what I am heading for.
The honest truth is you can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.
Get real for £249.00 per person what could you get in England. Most of those mourners have not looked at what you got for the price. Coach travel from a local town overnight with a toilet on board and plenty of stops on route. Arrival at the front door of the hotel. Once you put on your luggage on the coach that's it until you next see it in your hotel room.
Free drinks from 8 in the morning to 12.00 midnight (like all inclusive bars restricted to soft drinks and local spirits and wine) Free entertainment in the evening. Buffet breakfast, lunch and evening meal. (not fantastic but no chance of starving) a packed lunch if you wanted - again not the best in the world but the ducks liked the bread.
Three free trips included in the price.
A hotel right on the lakeside a 5 minute walk to the local ferry. Shops and cafes either side of the hotel.
Ok so our room was tiny open the door and you where in bed before you realised it, but we did have a television. The bathroom had a bath and shower over the bath. The bedding was clean. The room was not spotless more of well worn over the ages. Some of the furniture was in need of repair but then it also looked like it was antique (probably worth a fortune if you were a dealer).
Staff quite friendly compared to other higher rated hotels I have stayed in in Italy.
Being a vegetarian I managed quite well got offered the ommelette, but refused and got a lovely pizza much to the envy of the meateaters. I can't understand why some of the older people complain about the food. Alot of it was like the English meat and 2 veg type kitchen beofre the English went over to the curries and pizzas and drown everything in sauces.
Your on holiday (in a foreign country) why do you want bacon and eggs with toast everyday when you are on holiday. Stay in England if you want your English cooked breakfast and Sunday roast.
Fresh fruit was available but not many people bothered with it. A nice large variety of ice cream.
One thing I wonder about is how Shearings managed to make a profit let alone the hotel.
Yes the hotel was very busy with 7 coaches in, but we had no problems getting a seat in the dinning room. Alright sometimes we had to sit in the other dinning room which was modern - big deal no hardship, and yes we had to queue a few times but a little bit of common sense and this was easily avoided.
I am not old and sad and yes I would travel back to this hotel and yes I am definetly having another holiday with Shearings
Fawlty Towers meets Phoenix Nights
by A TripAdvisor Member
All inclusive with Shearings (never again) over New Year.
Faded glory doesn't quite describe the Britannia, the furniture & public areas are more reminiscent of transport cafe standards. The decor is faded & dirty, the floral decorations plastic & the fabric of the building ramshackle. The staff tried to overcome the deficiencies of their workplace and were the single redeeming feature. The entertainment certainly wouldn't make it thru' the auditions for Phoenix Nights.
The weather was brilliant & the scenery stunning, neither of which could be affected by either the hotel or Shearings.
The hotel was grossly overbooked with people farmed out to anywhere there was a spare bed. Meals had to be taken in two sittings due to lack of capacity and then not enough room or furniture to accommodate all the guests in the evenings. No clean linen for over five days.
People are living in the 21st century, at least try & move the Britannia from the 19th to the 20th!
PS There is absolutely nothing to do nor any provision for children.... saga users only should apply!
Lousey Hotel
by A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed at this hotel for the worst ten days of my life. The staff were surly, the food poor and badly presented, hot food was often cold. The antiquated plumbing sounded as if it was falling apart every time the toilet was flushed.
Best food was the small bar/cafe just down the road towards the Lido or in Bellagio. Thank God the buses were regular!
I have been so glad to see the back end of a hotel in my life!
could have been better
by A TripAdvisor Member
Bedrooms cold, hotel overcrowded with nowhere to sit in the evenings, food was often luke warm, and the tea and coffee was always cold.
Forum Posts
Lake Como Accomodations
by mlsatl
My family and I (4 adults) will be visiting the Lake Como area September 16 - 23, 2008. We will be flying into Malpensa and renting a car. Can someone suggest an apartment that has two bedrooms and one - two baths? Obviously, we would like to find something as reasonable as possible. Our son will be representing the US in a waterski tournament in Spain the previous week and this is the last week of an expensive trip. I have seen lots of ads but, as we have only eaten dinner there and have not been able to explore the area, I am not sure where we should stay. Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated. We plan to make a few side trips as well.
Re: Lake Como Accomodations
by azz8206
I stayed at Hotel Britannia Excelsior. An affordable hotel and clean that is right across the Lake from Bellagio. I booked it through www.italyby.com.
Re: Lake Como Accomodations
by MoeB52
Hi ,
My husband and I spent some time there last Sept. we did not rent but I think Rick Steves has some listings for places ....or just Google apartments for rent on Lake Como ...Yes I think I would rent a place . We go to Europe 3 times a yr and it is much better to rent a place.
Hate to tell ya but gas was $9 buck a gallon last month ...
A waterskier .. cool ..I was one too ....I raced on Lake Winnapasakee back in the 60ies . To get up on one ski again is on my Bucket List.
Maureen
Re: Lake Como Accomodations
by Billy16
Try clicking the Bed & Breakfast tab on this website
http://www.varenna.net/
You will see the 2 apartments Casa Rossa and Casa Gialla.
Can't recommend the standard or the owners highly enough.
Billy
Re: Lake Como Accomodations
by Billy16
Try looking at the Bed & Breakfast option on this site
http://www.varenna.net/
You will see both Casa Rossa and Casa Gialla in the beautiful town of Varenna.
Great apartments, great breakfast, great views and wonderful staff.
Billy
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