Hotel Colonne

Unique location on the mountain top. Many historic sites nearby. Great place above the World. Exquisite cuisine. You need to be there. Any better place on this Earth?

We stayed here for a night before our morning flight out of Milan airport. We had requested for a single floor room as we had a baby with us and they had also provided a pack and play cot for the baby. The views are just breathtaking. Room and bathroom were clean but the best part was the hospitality from Silvio’s mother. She didn’t speak much English but was so kind and good to us, even making sure breakfast was ready for our early departure. The breakfast was just the perfect end to out Italy escapade and the Apple cake alone is the reason we will be back! The restaurant was closed the night we stayed so the board portion of our stay was applicable at the sister hotel just a stone’s throw from the hotel. The meal was fantastic, the views equally spectacular and service just fantastic.

Phantastic view from this mountain site . Excellent cuisine. Stylish old building. Very friendly personnel.

We went with another couple for 3 nights. You wind up the hill to the hotel, alongside the (currently out of service) funicular station, with the Sacromonte to explore just behind and spectacular views out across wooded hillside to the plain and Lake Varese some 1600m below. Buses will take you (with one convenient change) into Varese itself. Silvio and his staff were friendly and attentive throughout, ensuring we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Bedrooms were clean and comfortable, each with a large terrace from which to enjoy the views. The highlight is the cooking. We ate off the card with its wide range of enticing dishes. There is a slightly cheaper menu with fewer choices if you want 3 courses - we found 2 courses off the card better. You must try the tasting menu! At 66 euros each it was a treat but we thought it excellent value for money. It is not specified beforehand - exactly what you get will depend what ingredients are available and best day by day. We started with flavoursome smoked fish, followed by traditional tuna with veal sauce, better than I have ever tasted. Then came risotto with truffle (which we love). We thought the spaghetti with field mushrooms even better. Then duck, beautifully cooked and tender. And an artistically presented chocolate based dessert. Having asked what style of wine we preferred and at roughly what price, Silvio produced a notably excellent Sicilian red to accompany our main course. The evening was outstanding and hugely enjoyable.