Hotel Olivedo, situated next to the shore of Lake Como, is a family run B&B style hotel which won’t be everybody’s cup of tea.

The owner, Laura, can come across as irritable, bossy, rude and inconsiderate but I don’t believe she’s actually any of those things.

“Your perception is your reality”

If you are prepared to look past Laura’s perceived demeanor, you will generally find a stay at Hotel Olivedo to be quite hassle free.

Perhaps.

It’s location is perfect. Only metres from the Lake, immediate access to the cross lake ferries, and a short walk to the cafe strip in one direction and the train station in the other.

Try and get a mid level room facing the lake. The view is spectacular. If you are on the top floor, the view is hampered by where the windows are situated, and if you are too low down, smoke fumes can be a problem as there are a couple of smokers who work at the hotel.

Breakfast is a delight, sitting outside beside the lake, a view of the mountains and the busy ferry traffic. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate is bountiful, provided by a very attentive and efficient waiter, and the food provided is decent enough and of a sufficient variety. Service is only between 8am and 10am however.

On my last morning, it had been a particularly wet day and night before. During breakfast somewhere on the other side of the lake a fairly intense electrical storm was making itself known.

It’s also nice of an evening to sit out the front and watch the sun go down with a glass of wine. Meals from the restaurant are of a high standard too.

Rooms are old style with modern bathrooms. Nothing flash but perfectly comfortable with a/c and a couple of English news channels on the TV. If you luck a room with a balcony overlooking the lake, you’re in for a treat. The first time you open up the doors to the magnificent view is a special moment.

Wifi is okay. It can be patchy, dropping out occasionally, but can be accessed either from the room or at the restaurant which is good.

Power outlets are old and require an adapter. There was one in my room for the TV and I had to juggle it to enable charging devices.

One thing to beware is the hotel shuts of a night and if you’re out and about until 1am you could be in strife. Luckily the bar I was at just around the corner let me use their phone to ring Laura, who woke up to let me in. Oops.