Lake Maggiore, Italy
Grand Hotel Borromeo Stresa: Iconic 1863 Belle Époque grand palace on Lake Maggiore facing the Borromean Islands with Des Iles Spa
Commanding a majestic position along the palm-lined lakefront promenade of Stresa facing the famous Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore, Italy, Grand Hotel Borromeo Stresa (Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées) opened in 1863 as the crowning jewel of Belle Époque Italian lake luxury. Designed by architect Antonio Polli and celebrated in Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel 'A Farewell to Arms' (who stayed here in 1918), the 160-room grand palace is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Ornate gilded ceilings, Murano crystal chandeliers, centuries-old lakeside parklands, private motorboat piers, and private balconies framing Isola Bella create a timeless masterpiece of Italian aristocratic elegance.
Arrival introduces travelers to the noble splendor of northern Italy: personal hosts welcome guests beneath soaring gilded frescoes in the grand lobby with a glass of crisp Franciacorta sparkling wine. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating Lake Maggiore cultural and nautical pursuits: private wooden Riva boat cruises to the baroque palace and botanical terraced gardens of Isola Bella and Isola Madre, taking the cable car up to Mount Mottarone for 360-degree Alpine views, exploring the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, and reserving a lakeside table at Il Borromeo Restaurant.
Palace leisure combines serene lake relaxation with rejuvenating wellness: the Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromées Spa features indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, thermal hydromassage suites, and treatments utilizing local alpine botanicals. Dining spans refined Piedmontese and Italian lake gastronomy at Il Borromeo Restaurant, open-air garden dining in the century-old park, and classic cocktails in the historic Le Isole Bar.
Accommodations comprise 160 rooms and suites ranging from 35-square-metre Deluxe Lake View Rooms to 50-square-metre Junior Suites and the 140-square-metre Hemingway Suite (commemorating Ernest Hemingway’s historic stay). Each room features antique silk wall coverings, private balconies overlooking Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands, king beds, and Italian marble bathrooms with whirlpool bathtubs.
History enthusiasts, literary admirers, and romantic travelers seeking authentic 1860s Belle Époque Italian palace grandeur, Borromean Island lake vistas, and private boat excursions in Stresa should book Grand Hotel Borromeo without hesitation. Travelers seeking modern minimalist high-rises or fast-paced transit motels should look elsewhere. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.7 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 1,850 reviews and a 4.7 out of 5 on Google across 2,400 reviews.
First day
- Arrive on the Stresa lakefront and enter the grand gilded frescoed palace lobby.
- Check into your lake-view suite, step onto your balcony, and admire the Borromean Islands.
- Dine on Piedmontese specialties at Il Borromeo Restaurant overlooking the illuminated lake.
What guests say
Hotel Flock Score
Exceptional
Based on 4.3k published ratings
Category breakdown
Guests Love
Timeless Belle Époque Grandeur
Guests revere the gilded ceilings, Murano chandeliers, Borromean Island vistas, and rich Hemingway history.
Il Borromeo Dining & Des Iles Spa
Reviewers praise the lake-view dining terrace, outdoor garden pool, and gracious Italian palace service.
Guests Warn
Authentic 19th-Century Decor
Visitors love the genuine period antiques, silk damasks, and historic architecture.
Prime Stresa Promenade
Travelers appreciate being within walking distance of Stresa town and ferry piers.
The overall score is a review-count-weighted average of named public platforms, normalized to /10. Category scores — including cleanliness and location — are Hotel Flock editorial readings of those reviews, not a platform's private formula. Hotel Flock is not affiliated with Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Trivago, or any other review site.
Awards & Recognition
Historic Grand Palace of Lake Maggiore
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
The Leading Hotels of the World
LHW
In the stay
- Full access to the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, Turkish bath, sauna, and fitness studio
- Complimentary access to the private century-old botanical parklands
- Full cooked-to-order Italian breakfast daily and high-speed wireless internet throughout the palace
Usually extra
- –Il Borromeo Restaurant multi-course chef tasting dinners and Piedmont reserve wine pairings
- –Des Iles Spa thermal wellness rituals and private chauffeured boat excursions across Lake Maggiore
Good to Know
- The 1863 Belle Époque palace features 160 rooms and suites on Lake Maggiore in Stresa, designed by Antonio Polli.
- Includes Il Borromeo Restaurant, Le Isole Bar, Des Iles Spa with indoor/outdoor pools, and private boat dock.
- Located in Stresa on Lake Maggiore, a 45-minute drive from Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP).
Editor's Note
Book a Junior Suite with a private balcony framing the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore, and take a private wooden boat cruise to the baroque palace gardens of Isola Bella directly from the hotel dock.
Reviewed by Hotel Flock · Last updated September 2026