Hotel Simplon

The hotel is widely celebrated for its grand architecture and elegant ambiance, offering guests a luxurious and well-maintained environment. Its unique underground art gallery tunnel connecting to the sister Hotel Dino is a signature feature, providing expanded facilities and a memorable experience. This destination is particularly well-suited for families seeking extensive amenities and a child-friendly atmosphere, while couples appreciate the sophisticated setting for a romantic escape. Sightseers find it an excellent base for exploring the Lake Maggiore region. To enhance your stay, consider utilizing the diverse facilities available at the connected Hotel Dino, and be mindful of potential additional costs for certain amenities like parking and breakfast, which are often not included in the room rate.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts a magnificent and large outdoor pool area, consistently praised for its beauty, cleanliness, and suitability for both adults and children. Guests enjoy the convenience of a pool bar and a main bar area, which also serves light meals. A significant advantage is the unique underground tunnel connecting the hotel to its sister property, Hotel Dino, granting guests access to additional facilities including more swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a well-equipped gym, and various kids' games areas. While the gym is comprehensive, some guests note an extra charge for its use. Many reviews mention the lack of tea and coffee facilities in the rooms and a scarcity of power outlets, which can be inconvenient for charging devices. The gardens are also frequently highlighted as beautiful and well-kept.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests overwhelmingly commend the hotel's spotless cleanliness, extending from the common areas to the individual rooms. The rooms are generally described as spacious and well-appointed with quality linens and furnishings, ensuring a comfortable stay. Many appreciate the comfortable beds and the effective soundproofing, contributing to a restful night's sleep. However, some guests found their rooms to be a little dated or tired in decor. Feedback on bathrooms is mixed; while some are spacious, others are noted as being small, with narrow bathtubs that make showering awkward, or toilets positioned too close to the sink. Issues with air conditioning effectiveness and occasional noise levels from the street or within the hotel were also mentioned by a few guests, alongside a recurring comment about the limited number of power outlets in the rooms.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's main restaurant receives positive remarks for its pleasant ambiance and the quality of its evening meals, with some guests highlighting the availability of gluten-free options. The breakfast buffet is generally described as plentiful and varied, offering a good selection of meats, cheeses, cakes, and fresh fruit, along with good coffee and freshly squeezed juice. However, feedback on breakfast is mixed; some guests found the hot food to be consistently cold or undercooked, and the overall menu somewhat plain, especially considering the additional cost. Many guests expressed disappointment with the dinner quality, describing it as lacking imagination, unappetizing, and often served lukewarm, with limited choices. Service in the dining areas also received some criticism, with instances of plates being cleared prematurely and perceived disinterest from staff.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location in Baveno, making it highly convenient for guests to explore the town and its surroundings. It is situated within easy walking distance to the beautiful Lake Maggiore and is just a short stroll from the ferry port, providing effortless access to the stunning Borromean Islands and other lakeside towns. This makes it an ideal base for sightseeing and enjoying the local area. While the hotel itself is not directly on the lake, its proximity and the unique tunnel connection to the lakeside Hotel Dino mitigate this. A significant point of feedback, however, revolves around parking, which is consistently mentioned as being expensive, with daily charges, and some guests noting it is charged hourly.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their exceptional friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Guests frequently highlight the warm welcome and efficient check-in process, noting that staff members across all departments, from reception to housekeeping and bar service, go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. Many reviews commend the staff's professionalism and willingness to accommodate requests, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience. The cleaning staff are particularly noted for their immaculate work. While the overall service is overwhelmingly positive, some guests reported isolated issues concerning the dining service, such as slow delivery or premature plate clearing. Additionally, the practice of adding a 5% service charge to the bill, which guests can opt out of, was mentioned as an unexpected and uncomfortable aspect by a few.

Additional Information
Beyond the standard amenities, the hotel features unique architectural details such as a stunning stained glass ceiling in the foyer, adding to its grand and elegant ambiance. The underground tunnel connecting to the sister Hotel Dino is not just a passageway but also serves as an art gallery, showcasing various artworks, which guests find to be a delightful and unexpected feature. The hotel maintains a pet-friendly policy, accommodating guests traveling with their animals. However, a notable point of feedback is the hotel's practice of adding a 5% service charge to the final bill, which, while optional, some guests found to be an uncomfortable and unexpected addition. The ability to freely use the extensive facilities of the adjacent Hotel Dino is a significant added value, enhancing the overall guest experience.