It’s the most voluptuous place in the world that I’ve ever seen. The surrounding nature enchants with thousands of hidden seductions which give the sensation of being immersed in the rarest sensuality and refinement.
This is how Gustave Flaubert described this part of the Piedmont coast where the Lake Maggiore opens up into the Borromean Gulf, a green bay between the centers of Stresa and Pallanza, the two most brilliant gems of the Verbano.
The Grand Hotel Majestic is located in Pallanza, which faces the Island of St. Giovanni, the thirty-year summer residence of Arturo Toscanini. It is a fascinatingly beautiful Belle Epoque hotel distinguished by its incomparable architectural dignity, grand frescoed rooms and extensive lakeside English garden. Its construction became the impetus for the city’s booming tourism in 1870.
The optimal motivating attraction for nobles and the elite to choose to construct their luxurious villas in this region was primarily the agreeable situation amongst the exceptional panoramic peacefulness of the cape complete with surrounding mountains and mild climate.
From many of the hotel’s 99 rooms and 4 suites the dreamlike view of the lake’s serenity, surrounded by the mountains and the captivating beauty of the Borromean Island’s architectural and botanic artistry, can be marveled at. On the Isola Madre and the Isola Bella, just a few minutes away from the hotel by boat, the Borromeo Dynasty buit two luxurious domiciles in the 600’s surrounded by some of the most beautiful gardens of the Lake Maggiore. Of all the gardens in the world, these gardens are surpassed in the beauty only by the magnificent botanical gardens of Villa Taranto housing 20.000 plants species, 1.000 of which had never been cultivated in Italy before. The garden is within walking distance from the Grand Hotel.
Enchanted by the aquamarine panorama of the lake, as seen from the terrace of Majestic, Eleonora Duse had her tailor fashion a dress “…in the same color as the lake”. Among an array of illustrious artists who have been accommodated in the ambience of the Grand Hotel are Grazia Deledda and the composer Claude Debussy. To name a few, the boats of the Stuarts, the Queen of Romania, the monarchs of Italy, the noble families of Germany, Indian Princes and Maharaja were docked here…In short, the personalities symbolizing “bon vivre” of the 800’s have enjoyed the splendor of the hotel.
After some decades of decline, the Grand Hotel Majestic underwent a long restoration period and was returned the dignity of its past. Its rejuvenation brings the true value of its classical style to life and gives the impression of being immersed in an atmosphere of times gone by, all the while offering its guests adequate services with attention focused on today’s comforts.
Upon entering the Grand Hotel Majestic, you are enthralled by the class and elegance of it’s reception hall, clad with original wooden floors, bronze chandeliers and art deco’ lamps designed by Florentine craftsmen.
From here you can take a look up at the rooms on four floors, visible from the interior court with white marble columns. Just a few steps ahead you can take in the panoramic view from the terrace tables in one of the lounge bars.
A succession of elegant and comfortable sitting rooms unwind along the entire façade, giving guests views through the picture windows of the terrace and porches overlooking the lake. At each of the two ends of the building are two large drawing rooms that re-evoke the fabulous ballrooms of the palaces of the past.
The marvelous view can be taken while dining at one of our two restaurants: “Il Rossini” chic and appetizing, and “La Beola” serving local a la carte specialties from the Verbano.
The Hotel has two main function rooms, The Toscanini and The Intra, which are perfect for holding meetings and banquets in a truly unique atmosphere: decorated in period style, the rooms are elegant, stylish and bright, thanks to the wide windows that overlook the porch and the lake and afford a spectacular view.
Come nice weather, one can enjoy sitting on the porch under the arcades in the garden. The recreational program of the Grand Hotel Majestic offers excursions by boat or limousine to enjoy the sun at private beaches or to practice various sports in the vicinity like sailing, golf and horseback riding.
Beauty Farm is available to the hotel guests who would like to take an invigorating and toning swim in the pool, utilize the fitness center, or benefit from a relaxing massage.
The guests at the Grand Hotel Majestic can count on high quality accommodations and facilities, thanks to the recent meticulously carried out renovations and additions, which return an air of a poetic era: the magical beauty and splendor of this elite hotel renders it refined and in harmony with the magnificent Lago Maggiore, and a place where its guests can enjoy the most relaxing and revitalizing vacations.
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