Hotel Simplon

Summer holidays in Baveno take you to a place with wonderful views of the Borromean Islands. Lovely Baveno has been a well known tourist resort since the early 19th century. This elegant past is reflected by the beautiful villas that dot the surrounding landscape.

Baveno has a small harbour, an attractive promenade with lakeside cafés and a profusion of flowers and oleander trees. Take summer holidays to Baveno and explore the splendour of Lake Maggiore in the glorious Piedmont. There are regular ferry connections to Pallanza, Stresa and the Borromean Islands. Enjoy perfect, long, lazy lakeland days in the hot Italian sun!

Isola Pescatori is an old fishing village with good restaurants, famous for the white peacocks that strut in the botanical gardens. Isola Bella, perhaps the best known of the islands, features the magnificent Borromean Palace and beautiful landscaped gardens. Take a summer holiday to Baveno for all this and much more, set in a gorgeous cosmopolitan paradise.

Other things to do in and around Baveno

• Swimming at Baveno’s Lido
• Villa Fedora and Villa Branca
• Romanesque belltower and Octagonal baptistry (5th Century)
• Visit Pallanza by ferry
• Mottarone cable-car
• 18th Century 'Pallavicino' botanical park
• Alpine gardens at 'Gignese'
• Mountain biking from Mount Mottarone
• Stresa classical music festival (August - September)

The Borromean Islands

The three Borromean Islands are easily reached from Baveno. Isola Bella was transformed in the 17th Century when the Borromeo family built their baroque palazzo and classically Italian terraced garden. Peacocks strut around the gardens on elegant Isola Madre, the largest island; the villa contains rooms which have been decorated and furnished in period style. Isola dei Pescatori is humble by comparison, but charming nevertheless, retaining the air of the fishing community it once was. Dickens wrote of Isola Bella "However fanciful and fantastic Isola Bella may be, and is, it is still beautiful". Our 'Island Tour' includes guided visits of Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella including entrance to the palace and gardens.

Inghams Insider Tip

Lake Maggiore is known for its fantastic display of flora - visit in May & June for the most vibrant array of spring flowers.

• Longitude: 8.505456
• Latitude: 45.910421

For more information on travel and transport visit our Baveno page

Special Excursion Package - £99 SAVE £10

Pre-book the Macugnaga, Ascona and Cannobio and Wine Tasting excursions and receive a FREE one day boat ticket to Baveno or Stresa and the Borromean Islands

PRE-BOOKABLE

Three Lakes Tour £51, Tuesday, full day

A chance to see three of the most beautiful lakes in two countries. In Lugano, enjoy a stroll along the palm and cypress tree lined promenade which gives the city a truly Mediterranean feel and admire the marvelous Last Supper painting in the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. In Lake Como we will pass by the most famous resorts, with their splendid villas including George Clooney's and stop at Tremezzo where you can visit Villa Carlotta, with its unique collection of art and fabulous gardens. Finally we will visit Como, a city steeped in history where you can admire the 14^th century cathedral or hunt out some bargains in the vast array of silk shops.

Milan £49, Friday, full day

One of the most stylish cities in the world, Milan is the Italian fashion capital. Make the most of your visit in the company of our local guide with a visit of the Duomo (the largest Gothic cathedral in the world), the elegant Vittorio Emanuele Galleries and the Sforza Castle. Then free time to visit La Scala Opera or some of the famous boutiques. 

Macugnaga £39, Saturday, half day (runs mid June to mid Sept)

In just 90 minutes we go from 260m above sea level in Stresa to the foot of the second highest mountain in the Alps - Monte Rosa (over 4600m). Enjoy the contrast between the mild Mediterranean climate and flora of Lake Maggiore and the fresh Alpine climate with its meadows and fir trees. You can take a stroll through the picturesque Macugnaga village, a ski resort in the winter which still preserves the quaint houses of the ancient Walser people; or take a chair lift/cable car up higher for some spectacular panoramic views. (Cable car ticket approx €12)

Ascona and Cannobio £37, Thursday, half day

A photographer's dream, this half day excursion combines the best of two countries. The elegant and charming Swiss town of Ascona is home to an attractive lakeside promenade, interesting boutiques, this contrasts with the sleepy Italian village of Cannobio - a picture postcard setting that is a favourite with local artists. 

Wine Tour £39, Sunday, half day

Where would Italy be without its renowned pasta and wine? Wherever you go in Italy you shouldn't miss the chance to taste some of the local produce. With this trip we'll take you through beautiful countryside to reach the wine cellars of Ricetto. Your host will guide you through the cellars and describe the art of wine production in the area. You'll have the chance to enjoy some Piedmont wines and tasty local snacks, the best of these wines - Ghemme - is said to be unique and only produced here.

BOOK LOCALLY Prices are shown for guidance only.

Zermatt and Matterhorn £76, full day

Over the Simplon pass, Zermatt is one of the most iconic Swiss villages. Surrounded by twelve peaks over 4000m in height including the world famous Matterhorn - the most photographed mountain in Europe due to its striking shape. Stunning scenery all around, this is a journey into a mountain paradise. 

Island Tour £28, half day

A visit to the islands and gardens which are synonymous would Lake Maggiore. Why not take the time to find out about the history behind these beautiful places? We will take you on a private boat to visit Isola Bella and Isola Pescatori with commentary on the history of the islands as well as the splendid villas on Stresa's shore and their illustrious visitors over the centuries. 

Please note that we act at all times as selling agent for the suppliers of activities & excursions. Prices correct at time of publication and may vary up or down. 

Restaurant and Bar

The onsite restaurant is renowned for its fine dining with large windows opening up onto the Simplon's verdant fauna and shimmering waters of the garden pool. Dishes are carefully created using local and organic ingredients whenever possible for both the breakfast buffet and three course evening meal where classic and haute cuisine meet to provide a truly luxurious culinary experience. Breakfast offers a sumptuous hot and cold buffet with freshly baked pastries, pancakes made to order, eggs, fresh fruit and cereal accompanied by freshly squeezed orange juice and brewed coffees and teas. Dinner starts with a salad buffet offering up plenty of fresh vegetables and then you can select a dish from four choices per course for primo, secondi and dessert. There is an elegant piano bar, the indoor section of which is capped by a stained glass ceiling before opening up onto the terrace which boasts gorgeous views of the pool and gardens, ideal for sitting with a traditional Italian cocktail in hand and embracing 'La Dolce Vita'. 

Pools and Beaches

Nestled in the flourishing gardens of Hotel Simplon is a large pool with separate whirlpool section. Sun beds and loungers are free for guests to use along with parasols and should the urge take you, you can take the underground tunnel over to the Simplon's sister hotel, Dino where both the indoor and outdoor pool are at your disposal. 

For those wanting to take a dip in Maggiore's crystalline waters, there is a private beach owned by the Simplon and sister hotel Dino just 200m away. Here, you can spend the day swimming in the azure depths of Maggiore, taking a stroll along the promenade and even take the boat out to Isola Madre. Please note that as lake shore beaches tend to be rock and shingle and can be slippery. 

Spa

Hotel Simplon is home to a large swimming pool and whirlpool both located within the gardens, however further spa facilities can be located at the Hotel Dino just metres away via the elegant underground tunnel. Here, you can enjoy Hotel Dino's indoor and outdoor swimming pools, Turkish bath*,sauna*and massage rooms*. (Please note all services marked * are payable locally) 

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Spa
• Swimming pool (outdoor)
• Whirlpool (outdoor)
• Sauna
• Swimming pool (indoor)

Local Fees and Taxes

Tourist tax payable locally directly to hotel