Positioned directly on the Lake Maggiore waterfront in the heart of Stresa, Hotel La Palma has earned consistent praise from thousands of guests across multiple booking platforms. This review draws on verified guest feedback, official property details, and independent travel guides to help you decide whether this 4-star boutique hotel fits your Lake Maggiore plans.
Last checked: 2026-08-01
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Location: Stresa, Lake Maggiore, Italy · Star rating: 4-star · Swimming pool: Yes, right by the lake · Wellness facilities: Turkish steam bath, sauna, solarium, treatment room · Official website: www.hlapalma.it
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-01.
Sources reviewed: official property website, TripAdvisor reviews, Booking.com listing, Expedia guest ratings, Hotels.com, Trip.com, Citalia tour operator, Charming Italy travel guide, HolidayCheck, Facebook page, YouTube video review.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, staff interview, or independent price verification.
Snapshot: Hotel La Palma Stresa
- Corso Umberto I 33, 28838 Stresa, Italy – directly on the lake promenade (Hotel La Palma official website)
- Officially rated 4 stars by multiple booking platforms (Booking.com)
- Outdoor pool located across the road, directly on the lakefront, with panoramic views (Hotel La Palma official website)
- Wellness centre with Turkish steam bath, sauna, solarium, treatment room; plus rooftop Sky Bar with large hot tub (Hotel La Palma official website)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Stresa, Lake Maggiore, Italy |
| Star rating | 4-star |
| Swimming pool | Yes, right by the lake |
| Wellness facilities | Turkish steam bath, sauna, solarium, treatment room |
| Official website | www.hlapalma.it |
What are the reviews like for Hotel La Palma Stresa?
Cross-platform data paints a consistently positive picture. On TripAdvisor, the hotel holds a 4.4 out of 5 rating from over 2,000 reviews, ranking 6th out of 37 hotels in Stresa as of 2025. This score is stable across English, Italian, French, and Russian-language versions of the site.
Booking.com reports an 8.8 out of 10, with a breakfast sub-score of 8.0. Expedia and Hotels.com both give a 9.4 out of 10, labeling it “Exceptional.” Trip.com records a 9.2 out of 10. The consistency across platforms suggests that the hotel delivers a reliable experience.
For tips on writing your own hotel reviews, see our guide on how to write great hotel reviews.
TripAdvisor highlights
Cleanliness and sleep quality earn the highest sub-scores (around 4.6/5), while value for money is rated slightly lower. Several recent 2026 reviews mention that rooms with balconies directly overlook Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands, and that the hotel is a short walk from shops, restaurants, and the ferry terminal.
Booking.com highlights
Guests frequently praise the swimming pool by the lake, the panoramic terrace with Sky Bar, the large hot tub, and the fitness area. Breakfast is noted as standard but adequate.
Where is Hotel La Palma located?
Hotel La Palma sits at Corso Umberto I 33, directly on the lakeside promenade of Stresa. The property occupies a quiet yet central position, close to the town’s main pedestrian street and a short walk from the Stresa ferry terminal (about 5 minutes) and the Stresa train station (about 450 metres).
According to Trip.com, Milan Malpensa Airport is roughly 55 km away, making it the nearest major international gateway. The hotel’s lakefront address means that many rooms and the rooftop Sky Bar offer direct views over Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands.
What is special about Stresa, Italy?
Stresa is the primary gateway town on the western shore of Lake Maggiore. Its Belle Époque promenade, grand villas, and direct access to the Borromean Islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori) make it a popular base for travellers. As Charming Italy notes, the town is “the beating heart of the lake” and an ideal starting point for the Mottarone cable car, which offers panoramic views of seven lakes.
Stresa also hosts major cultural events, including the Stresa Festival of classical music, and offers ferry connections to other lakeside towns such as Verbania, Cannobio, and Luino. The combination of natural beauty, historic architecture, and convenient transport makes it a standout among Lake Maggiore towns.
What is the Boutique Hotel Stresa known for?
Hotel La Palma is a 4-star property with 120 rooms, described by Citalia as a mid-sized, full-service hotel. Its main draw is the combination of a lakefront location and a well-equipped wellness centre. The wellness area includes a Turkish steam bath, sauna, solarium, and treatment room, while the rooftop Sky Bar features a large hot tub and panoramic terrace.
Guests frequently highlight the Sky Bar’s views of the lake and the Borromean Islands, though some note that drinks are priced at a premium. The hotel also has a fitness area and a swimming pool that sits across the road, directly on the lakefront. For many travellers, the hotel’s amenities and location make it a strong choice for a romantic or relaxing stay.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Prime lakefront location with direct views of Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands
- Very high cleanliness and sleep quality scores on TripAdvisor (4.6/5)
- Rooftop Sky Bar with hot tub and panoramic terrace
- Wellness centre with Turkish bath, sauna, and treatment room
- Close to Stresa ferry terminal (5-minute walk) and train station (450 m)
Cons
- Some guests find the cost of drinks and food at the Sky Bar expensive
- Breakfast described as “quite standard” in some reviews
- Pool is located across the road, not directly on the hotel property
- Value for money scores slightly lower than other categories
Pricing
Nightly rates at Hotel La Palma vary significantly by season. On TripAdvisor, typical prices for a standard room range from about €160 to €430 per night, with English-language estimates suggesting a broader band of roughly $316 to $874. Lake-view rooms and high-season stays push toward the upper end. The hotel is classified as a mid-to-upper-range property in Stresa.
Location and getting there
As detailed above, the hotel is on Corso Umberto I, steps from the lake and the town centre. Stresa train station is a 6-minute walk, and the ferry terminal is a 5-minute walk. Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is the nearest major airport, about 55 km away (45–60 minutes by car or taxi). A direct train from Milan Centrale to Stresa takes about 1 hour, with departures every 1–2 hours.
Our pick
For travellers who prioritise location, lake views, and wellness amenities, Hotel La Palma is a reliable choice. Its consistent 4.4 out of 5 rating across thousands of reviews and top-6 ranking in Stresa indicate that most guests leave satisfied. The rooftop Sky Bar and proximity to the ferry terminal make it especially well suited for couples and independent travellers who want to explore the Borromean Islands without a car. Budget-conscious visitors should note the extra costs for the Sky Bar and consider booking a standard room in shoulder season.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hotel La Palma have a swimming pool?
Yes. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool located across the road, directly on the lakefront, with panoramic views of Lake Maggiore.
Does Hotel La Palma have a spa or wellness centre?
Yes. The wellness centre includes a Turkish steam bath, sauna, solarium, and treatment room, as confirmed on the official hotel website.
What is the star rating of Hotel La Palma?
Hotel La Palma is a 4-star hotel, as listed on Booking.com, Expedia, and the official property site.
Does Hotel La Palma have a fitness area?
Yes. The hotel features a fitness area, according to Booking.com and guest reviews.
Is Hotel La Palma located near the centre of Stresa?
Yes. The hotel is a short walk from Stresa’s main pedestrian street, shops, and restaurants. The ferry terminal is about 5 minutes away on foot.
Does Hotel La Palma have a terrace with lake views?
Yes. The rooftop Sky Bar has a panoramic terrace with a large hot tub that offers direct views of Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands.
Sources cited
- Hotel La Palma official website (Italian)
- TripAdvisor (French) – Hotel La Palma
- Booking.com (Italian) – Hotel La Palma
- Expedia – Hotel La Palma
- Hotels.com – Hotel La Palma
- Hotel La Palma Facebook page
- YouTube – Hotel La Palma Stresa review (2026)
- HolidayCheck – Hotel La Palma
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Corso Umberto I 33, 28838 Stresa (VB), Italy |
| Number of rooms | 120 |
| Star rating | 4-star |
| Check-in / Check-out | After 15:00 / 08:00–12:00 |
| Nearest airport | Milan Malpensa (about 55 km) |
| Distance to Stresa train station | ~450 m (6-minute walk) |
| Distance to ferry terminal | ~5-minute walk |
| Minimum stay (package holidays) | 3 nights (Citalia) |