We have just returned from a two night stay - Iseo is a wonderful, quiet, non tourist, relaxing destination to enjoy the real lakes of Italy without the souvenir shops. There is a lack of top quality hotels around the area, however the Araba Fenice is 'different', certainly not four star - we smiled many times during our stay as the lady that checked us into the hotel, served our drinks from behind the bar (which always seemed to be empty with a lack of atmosphere, often in the dark and only opened if you stood waiting for a drink)!, she also watered the plants, fed the ducks, served breakfast - English speaking at this hotel is very limited. However we had a junior suite on the 2nd floor directly overlooking the lake - the views were outstanding and if you fell out of your bedroom window you would go straight into the lake! The facilities in the room were quite adequate, not luxurious, bedding very nicely laundered and comfy queen size bed. The bikes provided by the hotel were something else (you did need to use the bikes to get into Iseo, as its further than you first think), be warned they are very very old, brakes not reliable, only 3 bikes provided where the wheels went round so a bit of a lottery if you were lucky enough to grab one in the morning. Iseo though is worth a visit, the little streets and alleys have some amazing shops down them but you do need to keep finding them and not a Macdonalds in site!

be careful, you need a car, the hotel is 2kms from Iseo whcih might not appear far, but no proper pavements to walk on, taxis are virtually non existant and cost 35 euro each way on a weekend and 20 euro return any other night. No body in the hotel appeared to know about a bus service and didnt bother to find out. They do have bikes you can borrow but finding one without a flat tyre and bits hanging off is virtually impossible.. It has got a very good restaurant. and the breakfast was ok but ran out of croissant very quickly. The staff are very pleasant but not very efficient. The rooms with lake view and balcony are ample but very dark, not really a 4 star hotel i would give it 3 1/2. If you have a car I would certainly recommend it if not dont bother unless you want to stay put.

If you want a quieter, less touristy lake then Iseo is the one. Almost no English speaking tourists visit this part of Italy and the scenery is as outstanding as you would expect.

Araba Fenice is a great hotel which has recently been refurbished nicely. Many rooms are directly on the lake, some with balconies. The hotel has a great restaurant on a lovely terrace - again directly on to the lake. At sunset the lake looks like mercury and from the mists the swans come to be fed......

The hotel has a nice pool for when the walking has exhausted you. On the negative side, from the pool you can hear the road (not very busy but still a road) and it is 2 or 3 kms from the town Iseo. However, the hotel has bicycles which will take you to Iseo where you can get the little ferry to the island Monte Isola (you can take the bikes with you). Cars aren't allowed on Monte Isola and it is the most peaceful, beautiful place - you feel like you've been tranquilised!

A great place for a few special days.