Hotel Don Abbondio

During my recent visit to Lecco, Italy, I had the pleasure of staying at the uniquely charming Hotel Don Abbondio, located at Piazza Era 10. My stay was nothing short of a cozy comedy of errors, reminiscent of a classic episode of Fawlty Towers. Upon arriving, I was immediately struck by the hotel's old-world charm. The building itself is quite old, with decor that seems frozen in time. There is no elevator, so be prepared to haul your luggage up the quaint, creaky stairs. The highlight of my stay, however, was the eccentric older female owner. With her Basil Fawlty-esque demeanor and less-than-stellar personal hygiene, she was a constant source of entertainment. Her interactions with her submissive husband were particularly amusing, as she barked orders and he meekly complied, much like Basil and Sybil Fawlty. One memorable morning, I witnessed her fierce protection of the breakfast buffet. She refused anyone access before the exact starting time, standing guard like a hawk over her lackluster spread. When the buffet finally opened, it was a bit of a letdown – the bread was stale, and the cappuccino was clearly not from an espresso machine. Nonetheless, it added to the overall charm of the experience. Her strict rules extended to the use of the hotel facilities as well. Guests were not allowed to use the toilets before check-in time, which led to some humorous, if not slightly inconvenient, moments in the lobby. Despite these quirks, or perhaps because of them, my stay at Hotel Don Abbondio was truly unforgettable. The breakfast might have been subpar, and the decor might be outdated, but the hotel's character and the owner's antics made it a stay to remember. If you're looking for a place with personality and a touch of humor, Hotel Don Abbondio is the place for you. Just be sure to pack your patience and sense of humor!

Since my first visit in 2018, I always stay at Hotel Don Abbondio when I am working near Lecco. Staying here is akin to receiving an enormous hug! The hotel is family run and, as such, you will receive a welcome as though you are part of the family! Giuseppina greets you with a smile and will stop whatever she is doing, pop on a jacket and help you find a place to park. It is street parking but not more than a 2 minute walk. Luciano is an absolute gentleman and, if you ask, will perform a concert for you in the lobby. Luciano is an organist and an excellent one at that. The hotel is old style; expect a personal welcome as opposed to a generic check-in, expect classic functional rooms with everything you need and know that you will leave Hotel Don Abbondio with memories and stories to tell. Luciano and Giuseppina are charismatic, endearing and will do everything they can to make your stay as comfortable as possible. There are rooms with balconies, restaurants and supermarkets nearby and the lake is waiting for you outside the front door. Seriously, an absolute gem. If you visit Lecco, stay here.

Location is lovely in a small piazza overlooking the River this is a rustic hotel reminiscent of hotels back in the 70's and 80's. It is a good 20 minute walk to the centre of Lecco. Very clean and comfortable, but in need of some updating. We had a family room with a double and spare single bed but there was adequate room. There was a small Juliet balcony ovelooking the alleyway, but we had the shutters and doubleglazed doors open with the net curtain pulled over for privacy, which was fine. We spent 5 days here. No tea or coffee provided in the room which we would have liked but it did have a safe/fridge with beer & water for purchase at 2.50euros each and wifi was fine with no connection problems. Breakfast was good, being continental style, I loved the meats/hard boiled eggs and toasted cheese sandwiches. Tea/coffee/water and juice was included. Owners were friendly and spoke good English. No evening meals or really a bar, but good restaurants next door and a short walk to the left. Taxi was 11 euros from Lecco Station.