Ristorante Serenella

We spent only one night here, but wished we could have stayed longer. We had a lovely, comfortable room. Breakfast was excellent, but we were unable to have dinner in the restaurant due to scheduling issues on our part. Next time! The hotel was very convenient, as the bus from the Milan Malpensa Airport dropped off right in front of the hotel.

Our stay at Hotel Serenella was truly unforgettable. We came here with my partner for a marathon, and from the very beginning, everything exceeded our expectations. The hotel itself has a wonderfully atmospheric, charming character. What stood out immediately was the exceptional service – the hotel manager went above and beyond to accommodate our needs, especially when it came to organizing everything around the race. That level of flexibility and care made a huge difference for us. Our room was beautifully decorated, with great attention to detail. Throughout the hotel, I especially loved the artwork and the antique wardrobes, which added so much personality and elegance to the space. And right at the entrance, you’re welcomed by a stunning tree in full bloom – such a magical first impression. The location is another big plus: just a 5-minute walk and you find yourself by a breathtaking part of Lake Maggiore, perfect for relaxing walks and enjoying the scenery. But the true highlight of our stay was the restaurant. The menu features creative and refined combinations, and every dish felt thoughtfully composed. Without a doubt, the standout was the duck ravioli with orange sauce – absolutely outstanding. All in all: a fantastic location, excellent service, and a restaurant that is an absolute must-visit. We would come back without hesitation.

One fantastic place

Where to begin?we ate dinner at the restaurant and It ended up being a tourist trap. It started when we asked for the tasting menu. There were two types of tasting menus, and we wanted two different ones so we could share. The owner said, “Don’t worry, we’ll arrange something tasty and varied for you.” Each tasting menu was €68, plus two glasses of wine. Then we got the bill — €227! When we asked how it added up to that amount, since we ate exactly what was listed on the tasting menus, he started explaining that it was “different,” and giving us all kinds of excuses. Really ridiculous. As for the food: the presentation tries to look fancy, but the flavors don’t really come together. Ravioli filled with truffle and orange zest — all you taste is the orange. Cocoa pasta with meat and hazelnuts on top — all you taste is the nuts. The Parmesan tasted like it had been pre-grated and sitting out for a while. And if the restaurant’s concept is truffle, then why did they grate fresh truffle on only one dish — and only after we asked? In the photo: the glass of wine. Bottom line: no.

This restaurant is actually a tourist trap. The dishes are attempting to masquerade what you might think a chef would do, but they are a sorry excuse to the profession. On top, the owner is greedy and over charged us. We asked for a special meal for our anniversary, And in the end we were charged €230 for dishes that cost €138 in the menu. The owner did not have a good explanation why. We ended up paying, because we didn't want to fight on our anniversary.

Very good kitchen for a good price! The restaurant looks nice too! Will come again for shure!