Villa d'Este

WORSE Ever Experience This happened on 11 Sep 2024 at around 15:50-16:00 at Villa D’Este lobby. My fiancé and I started our pre wedding photoshoot there, and your staff “Thomaso” came to us in a very rude manner saying that we cannot do photoshooting in wedding gown if we didn’t hold the event here. It caught us by surprise because when we emailed to your Villa about the photoshoot, they only told us the selected timeframe and only selected spot can be used but never mentioned the restriction of Wedding Gown wearing. But then we respected your rules and didn’t force to continue. Your staff “Thomaso” raised his voice (he claimed that he didn’t, but it was witnessed by our photographer, make up artist and other guests in the hotel) and say it in a disrespectful and rule manner that ***“I can request you to change your dress now” and questioned my fiancé “Did you not read the statement we asked you to sign?”*** This is extremely humiliating to a woman especially on her special date, wedding photoshoot and also my fiancé as we do not feel ourselves customer instead we feel extremely embarrassed like a rat on the street. He RUINED our date. We complain to your front desk at night and got explanation from Jasmin, your Director of Guest Experience. She has been trying to comfort us which we appreciate it and we didn’t ask for it but she gave us small discount and small gift. To be honest, for people who can afford your Villa cares more on experience more then other things. We are extremely disappointed and do not think we deserved to be treated like this and I have never been treated that “DISRESPECTFULLY”. I really think everyone should know this so no more guest to be the Victim. One more thing to add, Towel is also dirty in this Villa.

We stayed 2 nights at Villa d'Este, and the experience lived up to our high expectations. We were originally given a room that was directly over the valet, which wasn't ideal noise wise. For a minimal fee, they upgraded us to a corner lake view. The rooms were very large and comfortable. The service was impeccable, from the restaurants to housekeeping to the concierge. We also arranged for a boat tour through the hotel, and it was perfect. Our only complaint was that there was a wedding on property in the gardens of the hotel. We expected it to be loud and go into the evening, but it went beyond midnight and was exceptionally loud. Other than that, our stay was magical!

Beautiful hotel and grounds, lovely staff and a perfect location. However the moment you step out of the hotel it is ground zero for finding a way back even if you’re assured by the hotel that there will be taxis available. If your lucky enough to find a taxi the price is a joke I understand it’s a tourist destination but it’s straight up not feasible for such a spread out location, of course that’s something villa d este can change as a hotel, however important to keep in mind. Many beautiful 5 star hotels operate from historical buildings, which are hard work to maintain and renovate sure but if you’re not up to it don’t run a 5 star hotel ! I believe this hotel could be the best in Como if they were to seriously invest in refurbishing the rooms, I would start with the carpet that unfortunately is burdened by a rather unpleasant smell, it’s not unbearable but it’s something you shouldn’t notice either. The tech in the rooms is poor, -small tv -old and annoying lighting -no were to put your phone on charge *conveniently* The bathroom I had featured some of the most beautiful natural stone I’d seen in a hotel it was lovely, however for what ever reason at some point they changed the mirror and the unit around it and it now looks cheap and awful in what is such an otherwise beautiful bathroom. Also who ever was in charge of refilling the shampoo and conditioner somehow did seem to stuff that one up almost daily.