Pensione Olanda

To call this charming bed and breakfast a hillside pensione with a great view is to understate the facts. First, the hill is more like a cliff. Second, the pensione itself, ever so well maintained and appointed by its able innkeeper, Andrea, is beyond charming. The rooms are clean and elegant, and the entire establishment has a flare that is both intimate and lovely. Third, the “great view” is better described as stunning, and it is surrounded by elements of class and style. Andrea’s breakfast terrace looks down some 500 vertical feet onto the aqua colors of Lago Maggiore below, and across the lake are dark green hills that jump from the opposite shore. The terrace is topped with a shady grape arbor. When we visited at the end of August, it was bursting with delicious Concord grapes. Then, as if to gild the lily, the view from the terrace is framed by tall palm trees that stand like pillars set in Andrea’s tiered garden below. Yes, the word “charming” does not do it justice. Beyond the view, we found Andrea and her staff friendly, helpful, and accommodating. Breakfast was plentiful and delicious. As to the only possible down-side of its location – the fact that you have to go uphill to get there – do not be daunted. Although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the climb up the steep stairs from Locarno’s old city up to the pensione – “only a kilometer’s walk” up the hill – except for those who are fit and able, and although I definitely would not attempt it with luggage, yet do not lose heart. For those trying to trim costs, the pensione sits right at a bus stop. Locarno’s efficient buses will carry you directly there or back to town, and a special card given to you when you check into the pensione means you can take the bus for free within the city core. If a bus is not handy when headed uphill, a taxi from the city center will land you at the pensione in a matter of minutes. If you have a car, then you have no worries, but you will want to get used to narrow winding roads with lots of hairpin turns. The last possible option to get up the hill without climbing steps is to take the funicular railway. Although it might seem charming at first, it is not as convenient as a bus or a taxi. It is still a 10 minute walk between the uphill funicular station and the pensione, and the funicular’s schedule is nowhere as convenient as the bus. In short, we highly recommend this lovely spot. My only regret is we did not spend longer there!