Grand Hotel Britannia Excelsior

Constructed in the 1800s, Grand Hotel Britannia Excelsior is a historic, mid-range hotel in picturesque Lake Como. A rather large building compared to other properties in the area, the hotel attracts groups and families -- especially because of the all-inclusive packages. The five-story building is situated across the road from the lake, where the hotel owns a floating pool with a massive, recently renovated deck.

Inside the lobby, narrow archways framed in crown molding lead to marble floors and a circular check-in desk. Royal colors, the hotel's crest, and intricate detailing adorn the ceiling, light fixtures, and public hallways and rooms. There are living room-style seating areas with velvet covered furniture in various parts of the hotel. A fountain sits in the middle of an indoor courtyard in the center of the property and can be seen from the above floors.

There’s a massive dining room packed with six and eight-seater tables, but guests complain that the food is average at best and drinks tend to be watered down. The hotel receives mixed reviews because of the overcrowding and lackluster cuisine. Guests who want a more intimate getaway with equally impressive lake views may want to try one of the nearby boutique hotels like Hotel La Perla.

Located across the road from Lake Como, Grand Hotel Britannia Excelsior is nestled in a popular area of Tremezzo. The hotel offers a shuttle service that leaves from the dock at the floating pool and stops at the Bellagio Ristorante and the Lido di Bellagio nightclub. The shuttle runs daily and on weekends at set times and the schedule varies seasonally. Villa Carlotta, with its gorgeous gardens, is located about a 15-minute walk south of the hotel.

Rooms are divided into three types: comfort, superior, and deluxe -- prices vary widely and for an extra fee, guests can request rooms with lake views and terraces. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. Rooms are decorated in an Art Nouveau style, complete with floor-to-ceiling drapes made of silk. Some rooms have ornate, white furnishings with gold leaf finishes, while others have plainer wood furniture that is somewhat tired and uninspiring. King-size beds are actually two twin beds that have been pushed together. Bathrooms have tiny showers and almost no counter space. Also, some guests have complained of cleanliness issues. Much to the frustration of some guests, the hotel tends to overbook and will then send guests to a sister property.

Hotel Britannia Excelsior has four restaurants: Queen Victoria’s offers buffet-style meals for lunch in a dramatic dining room with coffered ceilings, Lido serves traditional Italian cuisine on the lakefront, Niki offers fish and meat dishes on the sand, and The Cove serves cuisine based on the Latin American style of barbecue known as churrasco. There are four bars (Liberty Bar, Lido Pool Par, Terrace Bar, and Sunset Bar). The two swimming pools are a definite highlight, particularly the massive floating pool surrounded by a huge platform that sits on the lake. The hotel offers private yacht charters that leave from the dock at the pool. Paragliding and bike rentals are also available.