With it’s own private beach on the Lake… an on-site restaurant… views of the lake from your room… and a location in the heart of Franciacorta’s wine country ~~ Hotel Rivalago, Sulzano… is a fantastic destination for travelers indeed.
The hotel staff are experts in providing exclusive travel experiences with local knowledge of the region and the options that are available to tourists.
Charming sophisticated privacy and service… Do you desire quiet, peace, a breakfast served each morning or a pool with a view? Done and done.
Hotel Rivalago is in a category on its own for the price. What a fabulous property.
When sunset comes here… the only sounds you will here are birdsong, the lap of the waves against the shore and the clink of Franciacorta Sparkling Wine Glasses. Sounds like my kind of place. The establishment even features a quiet reading spot under a tree or in the lounge area for those who crave it.
After a long day along the roads of Italy and traveling the area…. you can decide to bathe and swim in the warm sunset-colored water of Lake Iseo.You could also relax with a drink from the bar service on one of the hotel sun beds on the dock. Yes, please.
The staff here are attentive but unobtrusive with great attention to detail to meet the needs of their guests in a personalized way.
I met a lovely couple and also… one of the cutest little boys EVER, the Jochumsen’s, who were a wonderful family and one of the highlights of my trip.
They had been staying at the hotel for several years and even stayed here during the trip to the region when he had the honor of proposing and they got engaged.
How fantastic is that?!?
Breakfast is served complimentary at Hotel Rivalago and after staying for a week and seeing them around the property, we had struck up a conversation as we watched the sunrise over Lake Iseo and enjoyed our espresso.
The hotel looks over the lake with a charming view of Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Europe.
Comfy, classy and with a sense of history as well. This is an older building so keep that in mind.
That being said, the crisp white linens are divine and the pillows plump and comfortable.
The views are to die for and one wakes up with a smile to the sound of the happy little birds. The breakfast is a classy display of various cultural greats, from charcuterie and cheese selections to granolas and fruit platters to fantastic scrambled eggs, toasts, pastries and a range of local honeys. It is also complimentary.
With an inside dining area as well as tables scattered around the outdoor area with views of the lake, guests can choose from a variety of foods and locations to dine. The couple that I spoke with was enjoying breakfast with their son. What a cutie and such darling manners around adults. Always a great example of good parenting.
While we chatted, I inquired as to what brought them to Sulzano and Lake Iseo. They replied “The hotel”.
I, of course, agreed with them immediately that the hotel was great…. but being that I am inquisitive… or some may say pesky… since working in social media… I inquired as to what it WAS about the area that they loved so much?
They once again replied with simply ” the hotel is why we come here each year.”
Through our conversation, I learned that they enjoyed the hotel, the service, the location, pool, hot tub, amenities, etc and spend the majority of their vacation time simply relaxing the days away here on Lake Iseo at Hotel Rivalago. Sounds like a dream vaca to me too.
My itinerary was quite full during my week long stay visiting wineries and local historic locations in Franciacorta. I would have absolutely loved to have had a couple of days to simply relax by the pool, soak in the culture, the sun and the people around me and just… enjoy Italy.
My thanks go to Sabine Bretschneider Jochumsen and Uffe Jochumsen with little Samuel Rumle Jochumsen. It was fabulous to meet you all.
I would also love to praise the staff, from the service at the restaurant, to lovely Claudia, who ran the front desk and social media, to the owner who was a delight and sent us a wonderful glass of grappa on our last evening there. The whole team also made sure that we had all that we needed for our stay and for our departure even created a special table with breakfast snacks. They lit a candle for Emily’s birthday and helped us surprise her with a cake we had stashed in the kitchen from a local bakery.
Thoughtfulness in the hospitality industry is important. Let me say… they are thoughtful here at Hotel Rivalago.
In order to reach the hotel, after traveling down the road lined with century old stone buildings linked by cobbled pathways and no sidewalks and with stone steps and far-reaching views of the mountains, you turn down an alley barely wide enough for a vehicle.
Not that this was any deterrent for our expert local driver who navigated the roadways with the ease of someone who had down this hundreds of times before. He was the driver during our entire week long stay in the Franciacorta region and I cannot praise his services and level of professionalism enough. He was the BEST!
33 km from Bergamo… from Sirmione is 45 km from Hotel Rivalago, while Garda is 49 km away. The nearest airport is Orio Al Serio International Airport, 31 km from the property.
Hotel Rivalago
Sulzano, Lombardy
25058 Italy
