Italy

Sunset Residence – Lake Garda (2025)

Wow, wow, wow……Not many hotels take your breath away but Sunset did, as you ride along the shoreline of Lake Garda and then go up the fairly steep climb to the secure underground carpark, the natural looking brick gives it a sense of belonging to the environment. We were met by the manager Laura who truly was lovely and so helpful, she escorted us up to the lift and along to corridor carved into the rock of the hillside to our room and bang opening the door the style of the place and the view was breath-taking, truly we will all remember that moment, we couldn’t help smiling as we knew we’d hit the jackpot. The upstairs bedroom was more of the same with a beautiful balcony looking out across garda to the west coast. Add in upstairs in the garden there’s a infinity pool where you can chill while watching the sunset behind the mountains. We all agreed that in 12years of touring this was our best ever hotel,

Pro’s – View, pool, secure carpark, pretty much everything

Cons – Being very critical, breakfast is limited, the pool isn’t heated

Rating – 10/10

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Miramonti Hotel – Bormio (2020)

We really loved this hotel, situated on the main road into Bormio it looked great when you walked into it. With a lift to the floors for the bedrooms it definitely had a four star feel to it. Very helpful staff particularly the barman who was very helpful and the team that worked the breakfast and dinner hall. Food was excellent and we ate in the restaurant on the first night and had the chefs special which was exceptional while being good value. There are however a few things which were more niggles than anything else, firstly everything is extra so using the pool 13 euros a day each, a robe 5 euros each, parking in the underground secure carpark 5 euros per bike per day. and finally Bormio seemed to have an issue with flies, not swarms of them but everywhere we went there was constant annoyance of them so this isn’t really an hotel issue but an area issue. If it hadn’t been for these minor things this hotel would probably have got a 10 as we really did love our stay here.

Pro’s – Pool, Underground carpark, food, staff

Cons – Charged for everything, pool, robes, underground carpark- these costs should have been included as the hotel isn’t cheap in the first place

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

Don’t Miss – Riding the incredible Stelvio Pass, Bormio is based at the bottom of the pass

Antica Corte Bed & Breakfast – Milan (2013)

With good rail links nearby for the Centre of Milan the Antica Corte was perfect for us. When first arriving the outside of this B&B we thought we’d turned up at the wrong place as there were only a set of wooden doors however behind these was a beautiful Italian courtyard that was perfect for us. Undergoing some renovation when we stayed in 2013 we’d certainly go back.

There were 6 of us and we stayed in the apartment shown and it was perfect for us and what we needed and if ever we head back this way we’d be more than happy to stay here again.

Pro’s – Beautiful setting, short distance to the centre of Milan by train

Cons – Hard to find, dated interior when we stayed there although parts were under refurbishment

Rating 9 /10

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Don’t Miss – A day out in Milan with it’s designer shops and beautiful Cathedral

Hotel Europa – Sondrio (2013)

Situated north of Lake Como within the beauty of the Italian Alps is the town of Sondrio and in 2013 the gang stayed at the Hotel Europa as they travelled to Milan via the Stelvio Pass, A sit was only an overnight stop we didn’t explore the town however the hotel itself was modern and clean with a restaurant that did good food and an underground carpark that meant the bikes were securely parked up overnight. The view from the bedroom window was that of a snow peaked mountain while just across the road from the hotel the river full of water of the Alps runs forcefully down,

Pro’s – Position approx 1.5hrs from both Stelvio (North) and Milan (South). Underground secure parking

Cons – Single bed wasn’t particularly comfortable

Rating – 8.5/20

For more information click Here

Don’t Miss – Riding the incredible Stelvio Pass

La Perla – Como (2017)

Everything you could want you’ll find with this apartment, stunning views, secure underground ample bike parking and within easy walking distance of Como town. The flat is beautifully furnished apartment is light and airy and is a great setup for a group of you to stay in with one bedroom downstairs with its own bathroom and a further two bedrooms upstairs with a shared bathroom’ The crew were really blown away with this place, stunning views over lake Como both during the day and at night with the street lights of the town gently and softly illuminating the night sky the crew spent a few hours sat out on the balcony drinking and soaking up the sun. If there is a downside it’s on a hillside which means you need to be fit or leave plenty of time to walk particularly heading back from the supermarket with bags of shopping you’ll need unless you’re going to eat out all the time.

Pro’s – Stunning apartment, secure parking, views

Cons – Needs a pool, on a hillside which is steep

Rating 9.5/10

For more information click Here

Don’t Miss – Hire a motorboat and go out onto Lake Como