Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées & SPA
By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.
Book it if you want the full five-star package in Stresa: a 9.1 guest score, a spa, a pool and a location rated 9.7. Skip it if every euro counts, because the room rate is the highest of our three picks and guests say dining and extras are expensive.
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Sold out? See available alternatives →Who it suits, and who should skip it
This is the Luxury pick for Stresa. It fits couples and families who want facilities on site and plan to spend time at the hotel, not just sleep there. The property lists a spa and wellness centre, a gym, a pool, a restaurant, a garden and a terrace. Family rooms are listed, and pets are accepted according to the listing, so check the terms before you travel with an animal.
Skip it if you mainly need a clean bed near the lake. The Budget and Best Value picks cost far less, and both score 8.0 or higher. Also skip it if you dislike paying extra for meals and services: that is the one complaint guests raise most often.
Location and getting around
The address is Corso Umberto I, in what the listing calls the top-rated area of Stresa. Its location score is 9.7, the strongest figure on this page. Guests say the hotel overlooks Lake Maggiore and Isola Bella and that the town centre is a short walk away.
Walking times below are straight-line estimates, so real routes can take longer. Giardino Botanico Alpinia is about 1.3 km away, roughly 16 minutes on foot. Giardini Botanici dell'Isola Madre is 2.7 km, around 34 minutes, which is far: plan on public transport or a taxi and check how to get there for your dates. Santa Caterina del Sasso is 5 km, about 63 minutes on foot, so treat it as a trip that needs transport.
What guests say
The score is 9.1 out of 10 from 2,056 reviews, a large sample. Among the four eligible hotels compared in Stresa, it shared the top review-score position.
Two points come up again and again. First, the setting: guests mention the views over the lake and Isola Bella. Second, breakfast: they describe a wide spread of good-quality items served on a terrace facing the lake. The main criticism is cost. Some guests find standards high but feel dining and extra services are expensive.
Price and what you get against our other two picks
The reference price was €254.50 per night, seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults. It is not a live quote, so check today's price for your own dates. The sample median in Stresa was €175.25, so this hotel sits well above the typical rate.
For comparison, Residence Villa Maurice, our Budget pick, was €95 per night with a score of 8.0 and 4 stars. Hotel La Palma, our Best Value pick, was €175.50 with a score of 8.9 and 4 stars. You pay about €79 a night more than La Palma for a 0.2 point higher score, the fifth star, and the spa and lake setting guests describe. Breakfast inclusion is not confirmed in our data, so check whether your rate covers it.
Why it made our top 3
We compared 4 eligible hotels in Stresa. Our Luxury slot goes to five-star hotels first, and this one has 5 official stars plus the joint best guest score in the sample. A large review count, a 9.7 location score and a long list of facilities sealed the choice.
Before you book
Room size, noise, renovation condition, breakfast inclusion and cancellation terms have not been assessed. Check them on the booking page. Spa, pool and gym availability, opening hours and any fees also need checking for your dates, especially in November. If you bring a pet, confirm the policy and any charge.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out? See available alternatives →Questions travellers ask
Is the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées worth the price?
If you value a spa, a pool and a lake setting, the 9.1 score suggests most guests think so. If you only need a room, Hotel La Palma scored 8.9 at €175.50 per night in the same reference period.
Does the hotel have a spa and pool?
Yes, the property lists a spa and wellness centre, a pool and a gym. Opening times and any fees have not been confirmed, so check them for your dates.
Is breakfast included?
That is not confirmed in our data. Guests praise the breakfast on the lakeside terrace, but check whether your rate includes it.
Can I walk to the sights from the hotel?
Giardino Botanico Alpinia is about 16 minutes on foot by straight-line estimate. Isola Madre's gardens and Santa Caterina del Sasso are far, so you will need public transport or a taxi.
Is parking available?
Free parking is listed by the property.