Escape to Italy: Brunate's Hidden Gem, Ristorante Hotel Falchetto Awaits!
Escape to Brunate: Or How I Found Heaven (and Maybe Slightly Overpaid for a Salad) at Ristorante Hotel Falchetto
Alright, buckle up folks, because I'm about to tell you about a place. A place that whispers of cobblestone streets, the shimmer of Lake Como in the distance, and enough relaxation to make even the most stressed-out city slicker melt into a puddle of happy goo. We're talking about Brunate, Italy, and more specifically, the Ristorante Hotel Falchetto. And let me tell you, it's an experience. A slightly uneven experience, but an experience nonetheless.
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First impressions? Divine. Seriously. Getting there involves a charming funicular ride up the hill, which is already a win. The air gets crisper, the views become ridiculously breathtaking, and suddenly, the sheer effort of getting there starts to feel like a secret promise of something special. Then you arrive at Falchetto, and the facade, with its old-world charm, just oozes character. Think of it as a giant, friendly invitation.
Accessibility - The Good, the Okay, and the “Hmm…”
Now, I’m not wheelchair bound, but I did observe things with an eye towards accessibility. Wheelchair accessible is a definite yes in certain areas. The elevator is a blessing. But navigating the grounds? It's a bit of a mixed bag. Some areas are perfectly level, some have charming but slightly treacherous cobblestones. You might need to get in touch with the hotel beforehand to confirm that the room will meet your needs, which it should be able to. It's not aggressively user-unfriendly, but it’s not a polished, hyper-accessible hotel. Worth noting, it makes my rating here a bit different compared to others, but this one is just for me.
On-site Restaurants & Lounges - Food, Glorious Food (Mostly)
Okay, let's talk food. Because, Italy. The restaurants are a highlight. We did most of our dining on-site, and the a la carte menu in the main restaurant was tempting on the first night.
Their Asian breakfast was a pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed the Western breakfast.
The Poolside bar is exactly what you want. The Bar inside is charmingly old-fashioned, the bartender made a truly phenomenal Negroni with a flourish that made me feel like I was in a vintage Italian film.
However, the food was not perfect. This is where my stream-of-consciousness kicks in. I remember the day I got a simple salad. It was a pretty salad and it's a lot more than one would get from a salad in the restaurant, but it was expensive. Like, "I could have bought a small car" expensive. This is a quintessential hotel thing, and while I still enjoyed this experience, I wish they let the prices fall a bit. I just remember that feeling of mild indigestion at its price; the salad was great, but the monetary price did not match the quality of the experience.
Ways to Relax - Spa Dreams and Sauna Shenanigans
Okay, the spa. The spa. I needed this. After the city, the flights, the chaos of modern life, I was like a tightly wound spring. The Pool with a view almost brought me to tears. Seriously. The Sauna, Steamroom, Spa, Spa/Sauna, and Swimming pool [outdoor] are all glorious. I’m not a huge fan of the Body scrub or Body wrap, so I skipped that one, and went straight for the Massage. That was heaven. Pure, unadulterated, oiled-up heaven.
Cleanliness & Safety - Sanitized and Somewhat Sterile (But in a Good Way)
Post-pandemic (or at least, during the pandemic, when I visited), cleanliness was a big deal. Falchetto does a good job here. There was Hand sanitizer everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas. They employed Anti-viral cleaning products and other Professional-grade sanitizing services. While I did appreciate it to some extent, the place was slightly sterile. I am here on vacation, I don't want to feel as though I'm in a hospital, which I sort of felt.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A Feast (Sometimes a Pricy One)
I already rambled about the food, but let’s go deeper (mostly). They offer a Buffet in the restaurant, alongside the A la carte in restaurant, I mentioned before. They had a Snack bar, which was convenient, but the prices got me again. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was a delight. I didn't try the Soup in restaurant, just the salad, which was, again, not cheap. The Bottle of water was refreshing, and the Poolside bar served well-made cocktails. I spent a lot of time at that bar. And, of course, the Breakfast [buffet] was a glorious spread.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things that Matter
They have a Concierge that was helpful, though not particularly warm. They have a Concierge that was helpful, though not particularly warm. They have a Daily housekeeping, which kept the place looking immaculate. The air conditioning in public areas, a lifesaver in the Italian summer. The Cash withdrawal was handy. Valet parking was a nice touch.
For the Kids - Family-Friendly-ish
I have no kids, so I can't speak from experience, but I noticed they have Babysitting service, and they seem to be Family/child friendly. They also appear to have Kids facilities, and Kids meal. Although I don't know them, the hotel seems to welcome families warmly.
Available in All Rooms - Comforts and Curiosities
Okay, the rooms. They were well-appointed. Air conditioning, a must. Free Wi-Fi (hallelujah!). Additional toilet, always a bonus. The Bathrobes were fluffy. The Coffee/tea maker was essential. The Mini bar was… tempting. I resisted most of the time. I loved the Slippers. The Soundproofing kept the noise out from the rest of hotel. The Wake-up service woke me up. They have a little of everything.
Getting Around - The Funicular! And Parking
The Airport transfer option is worthwhile, but you MUST experience the funicular. It's a trip in itself. There is a Car park [free of charge].
Overall Impression - Worth the Escape?
Absolutely. Despite the occasional price tag shock and the slightly uneven accessibility, the Ristorante Hotel Falchetto offers something special. It’s a blend of luxury, relaxation, and that intangible Italian magic. The views alone are worth the price of admission. Just be prepared to occasionally wince at the bill and maybe order a less ambitious salad! But honestly? I would go back in a heartbeat. Especially for that pool. And especially for that sauna. Because sometimes, a little bit of heaven is worth the splurge.
Stratford's BEST Homewood Suites? (Hilton Secret REVEALED!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is my trip to Ristorante Hotel Falchetto in Brunate, Italy. And let me tell you, planning this thing felt like wrestling a greased octopus. But hey, that's life, right? Here goes… or, well, actually, first a quick confession: I'm already slightly hungover from the celebratory pre-trip prosecco last night. Wish me luck.
Day 1: Arrival & That Damn Funicular (Or, "My First Brush with Italian Serenity and Mountain Rage")
7:00 AM (ish): Wake up. Or, attempt to. My alarm clock, a tiny, spiteful thing, apparently has a vendetta against me. Finally, after battling it for about 20 minutes (fueled by sheer caffeine desperation) I manage to drag myself out of bed.
8:00 AM: A quick pre-flight breakfast and coffee… I think I'm more afraid of the airport coffee than the actual flight.
9:00 AM: Arrive at the airport. (Praying the airport coffee is at least passable)
12:00 PM (local time): Land in Milan. The Italian air: smells of something vaguely floral and promisingly of pasta. Already a win.
1:00 PM: Train to Como. Finding the train was a minor miracle. The signage, let’s just say, has a certain… “laissez-faire” quality to it. I asked a particularly stylish (and thankfully, English-speaking) woman for help. We bonded over a shared love of strong coffee and complaining about the Milanese rush. Instant travel buddies, maybe?
2:00 PM: Arrive in Como. It is stunning. Like, postcard-worthy. My jaw actually dropped slightly. The lake… the mountains… I'm already feeling a little overwhelmed by beauty, which is a serious issue for a cynical person like me.
2:30 PM: The infamous Funicular. Oh, the funicular. This tiny cable car that promised to whisk me up to Brunate? Let me tell you, it was a test of my patience and my ability to maintain a semblance of dignity. Packed in like sardines with some particularly noisy teenagers and an elderly couple who kept muttering in Italian (which sounded suspiciously like they were judging my hiking boots). The view? Spectacular. The ride? A sweaty, slightly terrifying, and slightly nauseating experience. But eventually, we (and by "we," I mean I, the funicular, and everyone else) made it.
3:30 PM: Check into Ristorante Hotel Falchetto. The woman at the front desk was incredibly sweet, even after I almost tripped over a throw rug and then proceeded to fumble with my credit card. The room? Clean enough, with a view that actually made me gasp. I have a balcony! Victory!
4:00 PM: Nap time. (A necessity after the morning's shenanigans).
6:00 PM: Explore Brunate. The town is charming, perched right at the top. The air is crisp and clean. The views…still knock-out gorgeous. I almost got lost (which, let's be honest, is a given at this point). Found a little gelato shop and bought a lemon and basil gelato. Oh. My. God. Heaven in a cone.
8:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. I'm trying to be adventurous. Ordering something other than pasta, although the pasta is calling out to me… (It’s a very loud call.)
- My Dinner Diary: Attempted the osso buco. Success? Mostly. The flavor was phenomenal, the meat was tender. But, disaster struck when I attempted a fork-and-knife tactic to eat the dish, causing my pristine white shirt to become an impromptu canvas for the sauce. Oops. Italian charm, am I right? The wine? Absolutely perfect. The waiter (an adorable kid named Marco) just smiled and brought me a club soda. I am beginning to adore Italians.
9:30 PM: Collapse into bed. Pure, unadulterated bliss. The funicular, the sauce, the gelato – it was all worth it.
Day 2: Hiking, Heights, and Hangry Moments (aka, "I Almost Died… from Hunger")
- 8:00 AM: Woke up to a symphony of church bells, birds, and the faint smell of freshly made coffee. I'm genuinely starting to think I'm dreaming.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Solid. The coffee is GOOD. The bread is amazing. I’m now officially addicted.
- 10:00 AM: Hiking. I foolishly thought I was prepared. I’d found a hiking trail with, allegedly, "moderate" difficulty. Let me tell you, "moderate" in Italian might mean something entirely different than "moderate" back home.
- The Hike: Okay, so pictures don't do the sheer… steepness of these mountains justice. I slogged (and cursed, and occasionally, almost sobbed) my way up switchbacks that seemed to go on forever. The views, again, were INCREDIBLE. Like, breathtaking (literally, at some points). But about halfway up, I felt this rumble. It wasn’t thunder… it was my stomach. It was screaming. I had, clearly, neglected to pack enough snacks. This was a catastrophic oversight.
- My Emotional Breakdown, Briefly: I considered giving up. I was hungry, my legs were burning, and I was convinced a rogue goat (there were goats) was judging me.
- Moral of the story: Always pack snacks. At least two bags of nuts, a protein bar, and a chocolate bar.
- The Summit: I made it. I collapsed onto a rock, feeling simultaneously triumphant, exhausted, and utterly starving. The view was even more stunning from the top. I ate the single, pathetic granola bar I found in my bag and promised to buy a pizza the second I got back to civilization.
- 2:00 PM: Finally, back to the hotel. That pizza. Oh, the pizza. I devoured it. It was the best pizza I've ever had, probably because I was so hungry.
- 3:00 PM: A long, luxurious shower. I scrubbed off the sweat and dirt and felt a little like a brand-new human.
- 4:00 PM: Exploring Brunate again. Browsing in a local crafts shop. Bought a beautiful handmade journal (because, you know, I need to write down my profound hiking experiences).
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a small trattoria recommended by Marco (the adorable waiter). Ordered pasta, naturally. It was the best pasta I've ever had. I'm sensing a theme here.
- 8:30 PM: Stargazing on the balcony. The sky is a vast canvas of a zillion stars. I'm starting to understand why people come to Italy for "romance". What an incredible day.
- 10:00 PM: Bed. Sleep. Sweet, glorious sleep.
Day 3: Lake Como, Boat Rides, and Bye-Bye, Brunate (aka, "Goodbye, Mountain Serenity")
- 8:30 AM: Breakfast, packing, and a final moment of appreciation for that balcony view.
- 9:30 AM: Checking out of the hotel. Said goodbye to the friendly staff. (Marco, I will miss you!)
- 10:00 AM: Funicular. Round two! Survived. Barely.
- 11:00 AM: Train to Lake Como. Taking a different route this time.
- 11:30 AM: Boat ride! I'd splurged on the fancier, slower boat to experience more view – the views are to die for! The bright blues of the water, the stunning villas dotting the shores, the crisp air… it's all a bit unreal. I could write a whole other book about the beauty of Lake and the villages that line the shores, like Bellagio.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch by the lake. Delicious. That's all I am going to say.
- 2:00 PM: Exploring the village. The cobblestone streets, the shops, the old churches, everything about this place feels so… old and rich. It’s a beautiful thing.
- 4:00 PM: Train to Milan for my flight. This is where the itinerary ends because, honestly, I’m so exhausted. But I have gained an unforgettable adventure.
Reflections and Imperfections:
- The Funicular: Still gives me the shivers. But also, the view. Ugh, the dilemma.
- Food: Everything tastes better in Italy. Even the airport coffee (almost).
- Language barrier: My Italian is nonexistent. But somehow, I managed. Hand gestures are a surprisingly effective form of communication.
- Emotions: I cried (happy tears, mostly).
Is Brunate *really* a hidden gem? Like, seriously?
Oh. My. God. YES. Brunate is like that friend you don't want to share because they're *too* good. The views from the funicular up are breathtaking, the air smells like pine and pure, undiluted *Italy*, and the cobblestone streets… well, they're charming until you're lugging a suitcase uphill at 3 AM after a grappa-fueled dinner. But hey, charm has its price, right? Finding Falchetto itself felt like a secret handshake. It's all a bit…quiet, like you've stumbled into a local's secret. Which, you have.
What's the food *actually* like at Ristorante Falchetto? Don't just give me the brochure answer.
Okay, okay, I'll level with you. The food? Glorious. Utterly, spectacularly glorious. But here's the thing about Italian food, or at least, *good* Italian food: it's not just about the ingredients, which, by the way, are probably grown in someone's backyard five minutes away. It's about the *love*. And at Falchetto, you can *taste* the love. The pasta is handmade, the sauces sing, and the portions… well, let's just say I gained a few kilos. But *worth it*. One time, I swear, I ate a plate of gnocchi so perfect, I almost cried. And then, naturally, I ate another plate just to be sure. That gnocchi…damn. Utterly, ridiculously addictive. And the house wine? Don't even get me started. It flows like a river, and you’ll feel it. In a GOOD way.
Is the hotel part of the deal worth it? What are the rooms like?
Look, let's be honest. It's not the Four Seasons. You're not going to get a marble bathroom the size of your apartment. The rooms are…quaint. Cozy. Maybe a little… *vintage*. Think charming, not necessarily luxurious. But, the view from my room? Unforgettable. Seriously. I could have stared at Lake Como all day long. And, after that gnocchi, I *needed* that view. The beds? Comfortable enough. The showers? Hot enough. The decor? Let's just say it reflects a bygone era. But again, it's part of the charm. And honestly, after a day of hiking and eating, I didn't care if the walls were covered in floral wallpaper. Sleep was my only goal.
What's the service like? Are the staff friendly? (And do they speak English?)
Okay, this is where things get *interesting*. The staff? Heart of gold. Truly. Will they speak perfect English? Maybe. Maybe not. But that's part of the fun! There's something so endearing about fumbling through Italian with a waiter who's equally struggling with English. It's a shared experience, a moment of connection. There was this one time, I tried to order "una birra" (a beer), and the waiter kept bringing me…water. Turns out, "birra" somehow sounded like "acqua" (water) coming out of my mouth. We finally figured it out after a lot of laughing. And the best part? He brought me two beers. Because he felt bad, I guess. Winning! Plus, they’re genuinely helpful and happy to make recommendations. Especially on what wine to drink with the gnocchi. Trust me, get their advice.
Tell me about the location. Is it easy to get around?
Getting to Brunate is an adventure in itself! The funicular is the way to go. It's a little rickety, a little crowded, and totally worth it for the views. It's a straight shot up from Como town, so you're good. Finding Falchetto, specifically… that took a tiny bit of wandering. A few wrong turns. Some "excuse me, dove sono?" moments. But that's part of the fun of discovering hidden gems. Once you're there, Brunate is small and walkable. You can explore the little streets, peek into the shops, and absorb the atmosphere. Just…be prepared for hills. Lots and lots of hills. Remember that suitcase story I mentioned earlier? Yeah. Plan accordingly. Good shoes are mandatory.
Any downsides? Be brutally honest.
Okay, here's the unvarnished truth. The Wi-Fi can be…spotty. The rooms aren't soundproof, so you might hear your neighbors. And those hills. They're a beast. Also, if you're expecting constant pampering and high-tech amenities, you might be disappointed. This isn't that kind of place. However, the atmosphere, the food, the service… they more than make up for any minor inconveniences. Seriously. I didn't miss the Wi-Fi. Okay, maybe I missed it a little when I was trying to upload my Instagram story of the gnocchi, but that's it. And I honestly believe that being "disconnected" a little is one of the biggest benefits of this place. It's a chance to truly relax and be present.
Would you go back? And if so, what would you do differently?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! In a heartbeat! I'd go back tomorrow if I could apparate. What would I do differently? Pack more stretchy pants. And maybe learn a few more Italian phrases so I seem less like the clueless tourist I probably *was*. I'd also make sure to book a table at Falchetto's restaurant for *every* meal. Seriously, there's no such thing as too much gnocchi. And next time, I'm definitely trying to learn that gnocchi recipe. Wish me luck. And go. Just go. You won't regret it. You might gain a few pounds. But you won't regret it.
Any tips for planning the perfect trip?
Okay, listen up!
- Book in advance. Seriously, like, *way* in advance, especially if you're going during peak season. Falchetto is popular for a reason.
- Learn a few basic Italian phrases. "Grazie," "Prego," and "Un altro bicchiere di vino, per favore" (another glass ofHospitality TrailsRistorante Hotel Falchetto Brunate Italy
Ristorante Hotel Falchetto Brunate Italy
