As with almost all of our trips, we don't check bags and each pack only one 20" Tumi carry on. But even in the expanded mode, there wasn't going to be enough room this time. I stopped at the Bennet, the Italian version of K-Mart and purchased the cheapest toss-once-we-get-home bag I could find. For 29.95 euros, I got the ugliest duffel bag one could imagine, but a bag that no one would steal or confuse with theirs. And with Mrs. SFO not wanting to put any of her new clothes anywhere this thing, we used it for our dirty clothes, so that her new clothes would be in the carry-on and never out of her sight.
After winding our way down the coast of Lago di Como and nearly losing the side mirror a few times, we decided that we'd have enough quaint narrow roads for this trip and just took the fastest route to Stresa and Lago Maggiore. But not before a pit stop and the rules of the autostrade. Damn, what's wrong with Italians? Now we can't enjoy our porn on the autostrade.
Our first view of Lago Maggiore was when we came over the mountains at Stresa.
Maggiore is different from Como, but just as beautiful, and I think even more beautiful up north. Unfortunately, we couldn't say that for our hotel, the Villa Aminta.
Villa Aminta Hotel and Spa
Stresa, Piemonte
Lago Maggiore
But I think the Leading Hotels needs to screen their affiliates a lot better. Yikes. Exterior looks can be deceiving.
Another check-in, and yet another argument about Virtuoso upgrades. Front desk clerk first claimed that upgrades were not available, then professed ignorance about upgrades, then offered an upgrade for a price. After first saying the manager was not available ("I can't reach her on her cell"), the General Manager (a him not her)arrived and promptly told her to upgrade us. Unfortunately, it was a phyrric victory as our two level suite was just awful. Decor out of the 70s, more like the 1870s, bed hard as concrete and the 2nd floor loft pretty much unusable as, with no AC vents, it was 20 degrees warmer than the lower level.
On the other hand, the view from our balcony was spectacular.
Bathroom needed a lot of help, but what do expect for 600 euros a night. 
And the hallway was bizarre, with just a curtain and no wall at the end.
Really??
It was only one night so we decided to make the best of it, namely get out of the room. In contrast to the room, the main level of the hotel was pleasant although way over the top Louis XIV-ish for our tastes. Lunch on the terrace was excellent, with most of the staff friendly and eager to please... and wonderful views of the lake. The highlight of the day was a wedding, and provided us with much people watching entertainment.
After a bottle of wine, we decided we were too tired to do any sightseeing, and headed back to our room for a nap. Then woke up for cocktails, dinner in the garden and more great scenery to cap the day and night.
