Il Perlo Panorama

This hotel was an hour and a half drive from airport, once out of Milan the scenery was delightful. Reception staff very nice and helpful , Sylvia was very good. Assisting with luggage as there is no lift. The rooms of which we booked 3, are very dated and in need of upgrading. The bed was comfortable although pillows a bit on the hard side. Very basic with hanging rail, no drawers for smaller personal items. The bathroom was very small and narrow, shower was either very hot or cold, really needed tweaking to get right. But lovely large fluffy towels. The view from the window was lovely of the Lake. We enjoyed a lovely dinner on our first evening at the hotel restaurant, again staff there lovely especially Sandra, who was always smiling. The bar was at the end of the restaurant so you’d have to sit in the restaurant to have a drink if too cold outside. Again a very nice outside seating area admiring the view on a warm evening. The bar didn’t have a huge selection of spirits, or mixers, but a good choice of wines. There was a shuttle service (6 seater) but last return time at 9.30pm after which a taxi required. We were a group of six, and made the most of our trip.

Absolutely incredible experience. The staff goes above and beyond to make sure you are comfortable and well taken care of. The shuttle runs often and is an easy and short ride down to the main area of Bellagio. The food is extraordinary. But the main thing? THE VIEW! Multiple people from around the town, when they heard we were staying at Il Perlo, told us that it is the best view of the Lake, the best view in Bellagio - and they are right! We would absolutely stay again.

The room was well appointed, clean and well designed, but it’s the area that is truly the hotels USP that lets it down… the restaurant/bar/terrace. It’s poorly run, no staff to attend to guests, no sign of the ‘warm Italian’ hospitality and at times, frankly rude. Our experience all concluded and underscored on our final night where we had decided to book our 20th anniversary dinner at the restaurant with ‘a view’, only then to be told that there was an error and to be placed on plastic chairs on a table set back from all other main diners (we were the only table set back whilst all other diners, even walk ins relished at their tables with amazing views!). Maybe it was just a coincidence or maybe there was something to it, but we were the only diners of colour seated at the back… it was hard not to feel like the terrace with the grand views was for everyone other than us, the little Indian family at the ‘back of the bus’. I am well travelled, well educated and usually very tolerant, but this entire experience left me feeling isolated, ignored and frankly disrespected. It was awful… and before you say it, it’s not about the view! It’s about how hospitality staff deal with customers, how they adjust their plans to make people feel special, included and listened to, especially guests staying at the hotel, who pre booked for a special occasion. There are plenty of places to stay in Bellagio and I wanted to be able to recommend this one… but I recommend you stay away!!! There is better value, better service and better experiences elsewhere in Bellagio… regardless of the view, where you leave wanting to come back, not itching to go! Il Perlo - you have so much potential to be great, but at the very least… be decent!