Hotel Griso, Lecco Italy

Located on Lake Lecco, a boat ride away from the more famous Bellagio the hotel venue is fantastic.

Reading lonely planet, Lecco did not get high ratings, but we were pleasantly surprised and happy that we chose this spot over the more popular Bellagio and Como.

It had a town feel, plenty of shops and places to eat and have a relaxing atmosphere.

We arrived by train from Milan - an ok but not too enjoyable experience - worth it though.

Having booked Lecco due to Bellagio being busier/pricier we thought we'd best check of what/if we had missed out on anyting and so decided to take the (quite expensive) boat trip to Bellagio. The village is nestled in between the water and mountains and has some fabulous scenery - one day we sat lake side for 4 hours taking it all in.

The boat trip was about 1.45 to 2 hours each way and the views were amazing. Although the boat was a little noisy it was a very relaxing trip.

On arrival in Bellagio we enjoyed a very quick trip round the city (the boat trip was a bit of a pain as the timings were not so good, you can either stop in Bellagio for 30 minutes or 5 hours) we decided to whip round the very small place in 30 minutes and were happy with the choice as we were still able to see most of the cobbled lanes, whiz past the shops, get all the photos we wanted, post cards and an gelato and be on our merry way.

After visiting Bellagio we were comforted with our choice of staying in Lecco as there is much more space and things to do, more choice in terms of where and what to eat, plus it is cheaper and more easily accessible - in our opinion Lonely Planet got it wrong and this place is great.

The hotel Griso was a welcome haven compared to other hotels expreienced throughout Europe with commanding views across the serene water. Our room was spacious with a large, well equiped bathroom (shower only) and a large balcony over looking the amazing lake and mountains- the view was fantastic.

Breakfast was above the typical fare offered by European hotels however McDonalds is a 20 minute leisurely walk around the lake for those who need to indulge in a heavier breakfast to get prepared for the day ahead.

The hotel restaurant served modern food with a seasonal menu that had a wide range of dishes. Please ensure you check the dress code as flip flops etc are not acceptable in the hotel restaurant.

All in all a great base for those wanting to take time to explore the Italian Lakes District over a week or so, or a lovely stop for those who have 3 nights to spend in a picturesque place but that also has a variety of choices in terms of things to do and places to eat in the lakes.

Could have sat on the balcony for the duration of the trip !

Restaurant Gordan Ramsey

Well, one of the most controversial chefs - do you love him/do you hate him...........I wasnt a fan and did go to the restauant purley due to wanting to try a Michelin starred restaurant in London and also to poke holes in the cocky chef.

However - It was worth every penny, the food was fantastic, staff were amazing and we would definitely go there again.

The only thing we did not love was trying to secure a reservation.........due to the demand for the restaurant and the need to keep the experience an intimate affair (meaning not too many tables) getting a table secured can require quite a few calls so please have a few dates and be flexible in order to secure a spot. You will also be required to secure the reservation with a credit card.

The restaurant has a variety of menus; a set lunch (3 courses £45pp), al a carte (3 courses £90pp), menu prestige (Degustation, £120pp), seasonal items and an extensive wine list.

The service was impecable, not pretencious at all. Although the staff were maybe a little too attentive (I dont need my drink topped up after each sip) they were pleasant, friendly and very knowledgeable. Nothing was too much trouble, we felt completely pampered and looked after and thouroughly enjoyed what can only be descrived as an experience. This is not just going out for dinner.

You phone up 28 days prior to your required date at 9am sharp if you want to secure a booking. This reserves you a tabel for the night - yes, the whole night. - a welcome change as many other restaurants seem to have the 'in at 6 out by 8 rule' that I hate so much. You are not given the 'you have it from 6-8' or ushered out with repeated coffee suggestions and the bill. Even when we had stopped ordering and had finished all food and drinks we were allowed to stay as long as we liked - no placing of the bill on the table or questioning if we were done. As soon as we motioned we were ready to leave the bill was prepared, our coats appeared and so did a taxi right at the front door.

Please be aware that a 12.5 % gratuity is added to each bill - however do not worry about this as after the service you receive ( the high level of waiter to patron ratio, the knowledgeable and friendly service) you wont be complaining too much.

Also note that there are dress requirements for the restaurant which is listed on the website. Our tip is to dress up but be comfy as you will want to eat til your heart is content and ladies - those suctions suits and tight dresses can be a little restrictive with such tempting treats on the menu.

At the end of the meal I was lucky enough to be serenaded by the Maitre d' Jean-Claude with his own version of happy birthday, complete with a lovely sorbet and birthday candle.

A visit is recommended, please see this as an experience and and all night event and do not book anything after dinner as you may want to take your time with the many tasty menu options or linger and relax after your meal.