Hotel Engadina, Como, Italy

Address: Viale Rosselli 22, 22100 Como, Italy
Website: http://www.hotelengadina.com/en


This is a very pleasant place to stay. I have been there twice and each time the staff have been helpful, friendly and most willing to make guests feel welcome.
 
I could communicate reasonably well in Italian and they appreciated it. When I had difficulties with an airline reservation and felt less confident on the phone, one of the staff on the desk was more than happy to make the call for me.  If you can't speak the language well, they will be more than happy to attempt English. This same friendly politeness was also obvious in the room cleaning staff.

The accommodation is absolutely fine. Even though I was travelling alone I had a large double room which was spotless, new and well serviced, with a full sized bathroom (shower, bath, basin, toilet and bidet) The bath was very welcome after spending days out on the lakes or up in the surrounding towns.

 Breakfast in the hotel is plentiful, although a little bland - but the breakfast room is spacious, cheerful and comfortable and the service is excellent.

There is a small bar and lounge area if you decide to stay in.
 
It is a short and very easy walk to reach the town centre, Lake Como and both railway stations (even with luggage) There is also a supermarket very close by.

 I can thoroughly recommend mid June or early October as perfect times to visit.

You can expect a very enjoyable stay!

 

Hotel des Colonies, Brussels, Belgium

Address: Rue des Croisades 6-10 | Sint-Joost-ten-Node, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Brussels 1210, Belgium
Website:  http://www.hotel-des-colonies.com/


This is a beautiful hotel in the old style. The Art Nouveau decor is especially attractive - especially in the public areas, where there are sofas, water features and attractive plants.  

I had a spacious, clean and very quiet room, which was a pleasure to stay in.  I believe the rooms vary in quality and size but mine was was ideal, with a separate bathroom.

The buffet breakfast was in an absolutely elegant room and was outstanding.

There were only two slight drawbacks. There were no facilities for making coffee or tea in the room and none was available in the lobby. The only possibility was the bar, which wasn't always open.

The free access to wireless internet was only in the lobby and not available in the rooms.

The hotel is in a very convenient location - only 50 metres from the Underground station (Rodier). It is a very easy walk into the centre of town. 

If you like a place filled with nostalgia, this is a good choice when in Brussels.