Spa-Hotels in Lombardy

Excellent hotel, the location is super convenient! The staff are very friendly!

Super close to Milan Cathedral! The breakfast was great.

The soundproofing in the room is terrible; you can clearly hear every footstep from upstairs. The shower stall is tiny, you can barely turn around. And the duvet is a whole other story – it's just a comforter sandwiched between two sheets with no proper cover. The 'king-size' bed is actually two 1-meter mattresses pushed together, with a noticeable dip in the middle, making it very uncomfortable to...

Extremely satisfied! The service was excellent, the food was abundant, and the room was comfortable!

Booked this for my family. The location is excellent.

It is a super expensive hotel but excellent breakfast and good services. Just take too long time to wait for my room without further notices even I left my phone number. It is over price in this room size and quality. Just convenience for meeting.

A hotel with an old-school, vintage feel. The decor is typical of European retro style; the rooms, though small, are very elegant. The service is excellent—polite but not overly enthusiastic, striking a good balance.

Good location, beautiful room, friendly staff, nice food.

A pure European old-money style hotel, a niche high-end hotel group, the restaurant is very photogenic, the rooms are large, the facilities are average, there are very few Chinese people staying here, mostly old-money Europeans and Americans, it is not far from the main attractions, very convenient, quiet in the hustle and bustle!

I liked the hotel's decor, the location was convenient, and the service was excellent. However, I was woken up by mosquito bites in the room and had to swat them away in the middle of the night, which disrupted my sleep. I suggest adding an electronic mosquito killer. Also, while the service was good, there were too many additional charges; they even charged extra for escorting guests to their rooms

This is a very old-fashioned hotel, comparable to the Portman Hotel in Shanghai. The facilities are quite dated, but the breakfast is excellent, the bedding is comfortable, and the bathroom is beautiful! One flaw: the aromatherapy in the lobby is a bit overpowering. The room has no fragrance, just a slight carpet smell, which caused my husband to sneeze when we walked in. At night, a cricket chirped...

Very convenient while in Milan

The room was nice and well kept, and the complimentary breakfast was varied and delicious. Right around the corner there was a metro station, so it was very easy to get anywhere we wanted to go while exploring Milan.

Beautiful hotel with excellent service. I am always well taken care of and made to feel truly welcome. The staff is attentive and kind, and the waitress in particular was very sweet and friendly. A place where you really feel pampered. Highly recommended.

Beautiful hotel, located closely to metro enabling access to city centre within minutes. Within walking distance of the San Siro which was one of the main reasons for our booking. We were given upgraded rooms on our arrival which was appreciated. We had 2 rooms, interconnecting which is really helpful for families. Staff were all very friendly. Milan is a beautiful city and the hotel really enhanced...

Very nice hotel the room was clean and renovated. The hotel is very closed to the metro. The only problem that we had was the heater it was very hot (personal feeling) The room was very well decorated and have space

5 stars, but it could have been a 4 or a 3; I didn't see any difference.

I have been staying at the Meliá Milano for several years for regular business trips. I have found it to be a welcoming and functional property. The “The Level” Lounge is a real plus. The staff at all levels are always very professional, helpful, and kind, even during peak periods with a high number of guests. The hotel often hosts conferences or large gatherings, given its extensive range of meeting...

We drove there so transportation is not a concern for us. Theres carpark in the basement and charge is reasonable! But we drove back on a Sunday night and there’s a football match. Roads were blocked and heavy traffic to drive back to hotel. Room is ok but poor sound insulation. I could hear the sound next door at night and able to hear the sounds inside otherrooms when I walked in the corridor. Enough...

The cleanliness of the rooms, the provision of in-room amenities, and the checking of bar shortages, hot drinks, and water were all inadequate, especially by the staff on the fourth floor. In short, the cleanliness was very poor.

I stayed at the Sheraton San Siro from 22–25 November, 2025, and was assigned Room 1203. The bathroom was equipped with a bathtub, but the drainage was extremely slow. By the time I needed to step out, the water had still not drained, creating a hazardous and slippery situation. I had to exercise unnecessary caution just to exit the tub safely. Additionally, the half screen design (for the shower...

The hotel service was excellent, and the facilities were complete. The TV didn't necessarily have to show Italian channels; you could choose from YouTube channels. The breakfast had a wide variety of high-quality food, far exceeding the standards of a 4-star hotel and easily meeting 5-star standards. The only drawback was that it was a 20-minute walk from the subway station, but if you didn't want...

Located outside the city center, the Sheraton Milan offers a stylish, modern appearance with spacious, comfortable rooms. The conference facilities are excellent and perfectly suited for interactive meetings or events. The restaurant serves very good food, whether breakfast, lunch, or dinner, though prices are on the higher side. Overall, a professional and comfortable stay ideal for both business...

Came here as a group I booked 3 rooms for us, arrived late in the afternoon gladly the rooms were ready, check in was fast and smooth, we received great support from the reception to modify our rate to the proper one which was cheaper for us so big thank you for that. The rooms are spacious compared to most European hotels — very clean and comfortable. Our reservation included breakfast, which was...

This is where you must stay if you visit Milan any time of the year. Proximity to train station and location is great, everything about this hotel is top notch. Appears to be in the middle of everywhere. Very professional and helpful staffs, Clean environment and highly recommendable. I would visit again surely!

Great hotel overall. Yes, it’s a bit dated and could probably benefit from a refresh, but generally it is quite clean, very beautiful, and the bed linen is extremely comfortable. Unfortunately, my room faced the inner courtyard, so there was almost no natural light. The room itself was rather average. That said, the staff are excellent — very friendly, attentive, and always willing to explain everything...

Location location location. We had a layover at a different airport, so we decided to stay near centrale stazione. Got off the bus, and it was a minute away. The staff, the room, the spa, and the gym everything eas perfect. We were able to check in early for upgrading our room for a fee. But was worth it. Would definitely come back!!

Room is pleasant and look newly renovated . Convenient location for train outlet bus and airport bus.

Location is great , very easy to find

This hotel exceeded all of our expectations after traveling from the US for 36 hours we couldn’t wait to get to our room since we were traveling with our 2 year old. Vittoria at the front desk and her co worker couldn’t have been sweeter to our daughter at check in. They were super friendly and even gave our daughter a toy to play with. The room is super and the view is spectacular do yourself a favor...

Overall, it was a good stay. The room was spacious and bright, and the linens were comfortable. The location was convenient, and the breakfast offered a wide variety of options, neatly organized. Guests will have a very pleasant experience here, definitely recommended!

The room size was just right and very comfortable, and the bathroom was huge! The bedding was excellent, making for a super comfortable sleep! Breakfast was very plentiful, and the ambiance was great! The wardrobe was large and very spacious. The hotel even provided a converter next to the bed, so I could charge anything directly!

Hotel is dated. The air conditioning was making a loud noise. This was addressed however the noise was still there after albeit less loud. The lights flicker every once in awhile. The rooms were clean though and the receptionist was very friendly.

The overall environment is quite good.

It was amazing, good price and lovely staff, the location also is perfect

The hotel itself was lovely and staff very pleasant. However, if you stay there, be aware that your room may have the same issues ours did (see pictures). Once we reported the issue to the front desk staff, nothing more than a "oh, sorry" was offered. Not what was expected at this level of property but is what will keep us from staying there again. EDIT: Thank you to the staff for replying to my review...

Was suppose to check in after 1400, but the room was not ready even after 1500. Even though called before hand to remind to make sure room should be ready by the time of check in time.

Newly renovated and honestly super good value of money for the room quality under Marriott name in Europe. Decent size for Italy hotel and hotel parking of Eur15 for 24 hours (compared to lots of other hotels charging eur25-40 per 24 hours in Mila). Location wise it is not in duomo area but better as we are driving (so avoid ZTL altogether). Will stay again!

Got assigned a handicapped room, and cant change my room

Check-in was a long and very frustrating process. I was repeatedly asked how many nights, how many people, etc. I thought that would be obvious from the booking I made. For three adults she asked if I want two or three beds. I thought two beds means one queen and one single. Apparently not so. Two beds meant two single beds. We had to talk to them again and wait for them to set up the additional bed...

The location is fantastic in terms of amenities. There’s an Esselunga grocery store right across from the hotel, along with a pharmacy and a self-service laundry. The metro station is a bit of a walk, but if you top up your ticket or have a day pass, the bus stops directly in front of the hotel. Breakfast is good — they offer three types (express, continental, and American), priced between €16 and...

Location is great, room is small but fine

The hotel was a pleasant stay overall. The room was very nice, although a bit small, and the location is excellent, right on the street that takes you directly to the Duomo Square (around a 15-minute walk). The only downside was that, despite booking through Booking.com with taxes and fees supposedly included, I was asked to pay an additional city tax of about €7 per night upon arrival. I think the...

Hotel is well located, close to all amenities and transport links. Safe, good neighbourhood. Staff are a bit sleepy and not attentive, I found them to be very relaxed and not guest orientated.

We stayed at Worldhotel Cristoforo Colombo for 3 nights. The location is excellent — very central with easy access to public transport, shops, and dining. The room was small but clean, which is quite standard for a city like Milan. The reception area is spacious and smells lovely, creating a great first impression. The staff were friendly and helpful, especially when it came to arranging taxis and...

This is a great option for your next stay in Milan. The location is awesome, a 20 minute stroll from the Duomo and all the shopping, and about 45 minutes from Leonardo’s last supper museum (the two must sees). I’m only rating the amenities at 4 because the rooms are a bit small, even for a solo traveller, but you’re not here to watch tv in the hotel room, so it doesn’t really matter. Staff is friendly...

Hotel is in a good location in the shopping street. There are metro and tram nearby. Hotel has a good style of decorating and clean in the main hall. Staff is kind. Spa is really good with a lot of choices but it isn’t included in the room cost. However, I must complain that our room isn’t clean well during stay, there are dusty and hair on the floor. Water is only provided for a bottle at the first...

Super boutique hotel , in a great area in Milan, with some great bars and restaurants nearby. The breakfast was excellent, the staff extremely helpful.

Excellent service and friendly staff, location is wonderful, highly recommended

The hotel deserves a full five stars for its outstanding stay and unbeatable location in the heart of the city❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Situated just a short and pleasant walk from the Duomo and Piazza del Duomo, it makes sightseeing, shopping and exploring Milan incredibly easy on foot. 🔥 Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala and the main fashion and shopping streets are also within comfortable walking distance...

Everything was AMAZING!!! STAFF: From reception Staff who are extremely polite and helpful with a real smile, to the polite room service and cleaning. ROOM: We booked Standard room, large spacious room with good views and windows + it has everything we need shampoos, slippers, Dental kit, Vanity kit everything. Also it had “شطاف" which was a plus+++ Location: Was perfect and close to everything...

Wanted to give Ketiana a special shoutout for her excellent service. We came around 7am straight from the airport, our room was definitely not ready, but her hospitality made us fell in love with the hotel immediately. With her attentiveness, we were able to check in early. 💯

We stayed 2 nights in a room I selected (paid extra for option). The room was beautifully designed and well equipped. Despite overlooking the main street it was quiet (3rd floor). The staff in reception and at the door were professional, attentive and very friendly. It had the feel of a high-class hotel, and is in a beautful historic building. Nothing was too much trouble and we were made to feel very...

The only criticism I have is of the odd layout of the buffet breakfast - it’s in 3 separate places. No one explained to us how it worked and that the main part of the buffet was in a separate room which we didn’t discover until our final breakfast

Hotel was is a great location, lots of parking avaliable. Staff looked miserable. Rooms were dated but it was clean. Pools were good, never any issues getting a sun lounger, life guards at pools and lake. They were quite strict with no jumping into the pool allowed. Lots of sun loungers at the lake. Drinks although only a small selection of spirits were all self service. Snacks avaliable in the lobby...

Fabulous stay very welcoming and great good and facilities .

Fabulous holiday at this hotel Amazing location with spectacular views. Clean, basic room cleaned daily. Wonderful pools. Food was fine and value for money. We would definitely recommend this hotel.

The weather was lovely which makes the stay even more pleasant. We got a free upgrade to the villas on the beach ( there is 8 of these) which was a lovely surprise, as it was my daughters/son in laws 30 th birthdays and this also gave us access to the vip restaurant for breakfast (which costs €30 each ) We found that the staff were Friendly BUT couldn’t speak basic English so trying to ask questions...

You can hear everything what's happening in the rooms next door. Bathroom terrible shape. Ants everywhere. Hotel need serious update. View was good and location as well. Food was ok.

Clean, tidy, staff were extremely helpful. Foid was good. All inclusive alcohol selection was very poor.

A very nice hotel near the train station, a large room with a huge bathroom, clean, a very comfortable bed, I slept for 10 hours. Excellent breakfast, all the food was very tasty, also had my favorite salmon.

The location is especially good. The breakfast is very nice. The room was very clean.

Close to railway station and to main sightseeing places, shopping area. Room is modern, new, spacey, comfortable and cosy. Breakfast is fine but we faced with the situation when we had to wait for a table, very crowded. As a disadvantage I would mention that no drinking water in a room, it was unexpected.

We were in Bergamo for family reunion over the Xmas holidays. Staff was very welcoming and gave us rooms next to each other. Hotel has great location - next to downtown.Breakfast is amazing with variety of choice.Rooms are spacious and comfortable. Overall good value for money.

very cozy bed! friendly staff and great breakfast.

Pretty good, with a wide variety of breakfast options.

La Limonaia Hotel is in an absolutely fantastic location and the staff are super welcoming and helpful! The views are amazing and you can cross onto the cycle/pedestrian path right in front of La Limonaia for a lovely stroll/bike ride into Limone, or there is a shuttle bus that runs to and from the door of the hotel for a very small fee. There is a big hill to get up to the hotel from the road but...

My family and I stayed for 11 days at this hotel complex in July in one of the self catering apartments. The walk up to the apartment definitely requires energy however the view at the top is worth it. The view from the balcony is unforgettable. By far the best thing about this hotel is the staff. Stefan the mini bus driver is incredibly kind and knowledgeable about the area. Carlotta answered all...

Great reception, except for the pizzeria staff who didn't like that I ordered a pizza to share with my wife and aldo I did not ordered nothing to drink. Excellent breakfast.

Grwat view of Lake Garda, hotel's restaurant fantastic view, esp outdoors

We stayed for 10 nights in Limonaia - at centre vacanze hotel and had the best time! It is extremely clean everywhere and the staff were amazing - particularly Christina and Christian. They were so welcoming for all the family, and made us feel really relaxed. Thank you both - 10 out of 10 for service and looking after us all :) The pool area is also great. The photos online don’t do it justice. The...

The pizza was great and delicious.The personal is amazing 10 stars for bar and pizza And also the restaurant have very good food The swimming pools and Spa are wonderful and relaxing. Otherwise for this money is very good We have a great holiday and for sure next year we will come again

The room was clean and tidy, and the service was excellent. A great stay overall.

The hotel's location is great, just a 15-minute walk from the train station, with a commercial street and many restaurants nearby. The staff were very accommodating, always offering to help with luggage, and overall, my stay was quite comfortable.

Great location, good check-in experience.

I looked at a bunch of hotels in Milan for New Year's Eve, and this one has a great location. Even though the hotel is a bit older, the service was really good, and the breakfast was delicious, definitely catering to Chinese tastes.

The service is pretty good; you can ask the front desk to help you book tickets. This saves you from having to queue up yourself today.

We were very satisfied with our stay. The location is perfect for anyone who wants to be right in the middle of the action near Milano Centrale. The rooms were clean, the service was friendly everything was great. Thank you for everything and warm regards from Germany :)

Just had 11 nights H/B here with my wife and my sister & her husband. Had a promising start on arrival Beautiful area and Location. Check in went fine and had help with luggage to our rooms, rooms were fine, spaces clean with lovely modern showers etc. Quick change then went for our evening meal, Couple of choices including Pork!! Other choices ok but not really of good quality for a 4*Grading. Always...

It's a great hotel, the staff are all so amazing and friendly. Big shout out to Paula and Alaa who helped my wife with her gluten allergy. They checked in with her every day at the buffet and arranged for suitable food. The hotel is stunning with great views of the lake. The location is a bit difficult if you want to see lots of parts of the lake as there are limited boats and not much in the area...

This hotel did not really meet my expectations. The staff was not particularly friendly, especially at the reception. The first room we were given was very small — almost half the size of the others — and the balcony was practically on top of the neighbors’. Only after we pointed this out did a more suitable room suddenly become available, this time by the pool with a terrace. Overall, the room itself...

Just got back from a week at this hotel, wish we had booked for 2 weeks! Great location, spotlessly clean everywhere, good choice of food. Very reasonably priced drinks. Staff very friendly and helpful. Local ferry port just a short walk away, making it very easy to get to other places around the lake. Lake Garda never fails to make me want to go back, so beautiful.

We had a lovely stay at Hotel Casimiro in San Felice! The hotel is located in a beautiful and peaceful area right by the water—perfect for relaxing. The entire Anlage is very well maintained and offers a tranquil atmosphere. The food was really nice, especially the dinner, which had many fresh and tasty options every evening. A special thank you goes to the two Argentinian waiters, Melina and Sandro...

Very relaxing hotel by lake Garda service was brilliant.we chilled out for a week. Very nice place.we had lovely Holiday

Unbelievably good, in a very good location.

Good location near many cafes and restaurants and 20 min walking to Dumo. The rooms were good size. Excellent communication via email prior to arrival respecting our request of 2 adjacent rooms. Easy check out and responded to our request for a car to the airport. Check in took little bit long time but they upgrade our rooms according to our genius level in booking.com. Far from train station and not...

I've stayed here many times, and it's always great value for money.

Hotel Verticale is my go-to hotel in Milan. Whenever I’m in the city and there’s availability, I stay here – I’ve never really felt the need to look elsewhere. The rooms are modern, quiet and, above all, very clean. The bed is really comfortable, the layout of the room makes sense and the amenities are exactly what you need when you’re travelling for work. The staff are consistently helpful and professional...

I recently stayed at your hotel again, and as always, it was a wonderful experience. This is not my first time here, and it certainly won’t be the last. Every visit reminds me why I keep coming back. I want to give special thanks to two members of your staff who made my stay even more enjoyable. Fabio was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and his professionalism truly stood out. I also want to highlight...

I stayed in a corner room with two glass walls, and even the bathroom had a window that could be opened, which I was very pleased with. The room was clean and tidy, and the lighting and furniture had a nice design aesthetic. The location was also good. The front desk staff were incredibly friendly and helpful! The only downside was probably the breakfast; there were very few options.

Have a very relaxing vacation with family in the beautiful como.

Although this hotel isn't located near the city center, the overall service and environment are excellent. The room was quiet and comfortable, and the breakfast selection was very rich. We only stayed for two nights, and each day we walked from the hotel along the lakeside to the city center and the pier, which took about 25 to 30 minutes. While the walk was a bit long, it was very peaceful and pleasant...

Fantastic overall experience. The service was exceptional. The combination of the Amex booking and Hilton gold elevated the overall experience. Received a room upgrade and had champagne awaiting us in the room, which was a nice touch. The breakfast had a good mix of buffet and made to order menu items. Enjoyed multiple drinks as well as dinner at the rooftop bar. The room was clean, quiet, and spacious...

It was a very good experience. The room is nice and clean. The staffs are very hospitable and helpful. Once my wife and I were going to take the bus to the city. A staff who actually work not at the front desk (Mr. Wassim), extended a helping hand and guided us safely. The pleasant experience were felt even outside the facility.

The rooms are spacious; even the twin room has 1.3-meter beds, which is quite rare for a European trip. The recreational center and swimming pool facilities are comprehensive.

We stayed one night at the wonderful Hilton Lake Como. We were ending our trip in Continental Europe and after a hectic a few days in Rome, it was the perfect location to chill. The hotel view is just amazing, and the hotel itself is simply wonderful. The town is 30 min walking, but quite frankly I didn't want to leave the hotel. We had dinner at their Terrazza 241, and had the most amazing experience...

The staff was really helpful. The room was calm. The equipment was ok. The hotel is nice, even if some parts need renovations. But we had a very good price

This is by far the best hotel I've stayed at in Milan through Trip.com, without a doubt. There were absolutely no unpleasant surprises. From check-in at the front desk to the room itself and the service, everything was perfect. The hotel even has its own parking, and the rooms come with a bathtub, which, though not huge, is perfectly functional. I highly recommend this hotel; it's the only one in Milan...

We had a wonderful stay at Grand Visconti Palace. The hotel has a timeless elegance — spacious rooms, comfortable beds, and a peaceful atmosphere. Breakfast was delicious, and the staff were always kind and professional. The location is great — about a 30-minute walk to the Duomo, or just a few minutes by metro. It was a short romantic getaway, but we truly felt spoiled. Highly recommend! 💫

1. I was happy with the facilities and cleanliness, but everything in the minibar cost money. The complimentary water bottle was tiny (pic 3), and a bottle at the downstairs bar was 5 Euros (pic 7). Make sure to go down and buy it yourself, as they charge an 8 Euro service fee for delivery, making one bottle 13 Euros. 2. There was an extra charge for ordering an omelet at breakfast. 3. Other than...

Great location for the hotel. Although the exterior isn't particularly special, the interior is quite pleasant. Rooms are a good size, and there's a lovely little garden where you can have breakfast.

Hotel is about a 30min walk to the centre, we enjoyed this being away from the hustle and bustle. Room was clean, classic decor, facilities were enough. Staff are very attentive. Swimming pool, sauna and steam room were a nice addition if you needed some relaxing time.

Friendly and efficient staff. Clean room. Nice location

Wow! Is probably the best word to sum up this wonderful hotel,it's in a great location, the hotel itself is so nice ,the staff was amazingly helpful (we had car trouble and recommended a local place) the room was spectacular with bith views of the mountains and how clean it was . It was one of the highlights of the trip

Beautiful hotel. Friendly and efficient staff. Lovely room.

Nice updated rooms, large and comfortable in our space, especially for Italy! Good food, nice staff, excellent location right in the middle of town.

We only stayed one night, wished it had been more. The staff couldn’t do enough for us. We had a snack with drinks, evening meal and breakfast and the food was excellent. Highly recommended. Only one negative, which won’t bother you if you are staying in the winter months, but the balcony door in our room had a very light curtains and it was daylight at 5am. Needs to be a blackout covering.

Excellent traditional hotel Excellent traditional hotel. Extremely clean with a remqrkable, wonderful fresh scent throughout. Nice view, excellent breakfast, convenient parking, close to everything.

The hotel is quite close to the exhibition center, about a 15-minute drive, and they even offer shuttle service with two vans! The room was spacious, but the lighting was a bit too dim. Breakfast options were limited. Due to the Winter Olympics, the hotel price was quite high.

The lady at the front desk was incredibly warm and friendly; she checked me in super fast and even recommended some less-known local spots, helping me avoid the crowds. The breakfast buffet in the morning offered a good variety, with hot congee, steamed buns, and freshly made noodles – it all tasted wonderfully homemade. Plus, the 24-hour self-service laundry room is so practical with its washer-dryer...

No drinking water was provided, but the fridge was full of overpriced drinks and snacks. The front desk asked for my credit card information (card number, security code, etc.) to pay the city tax! Who do they think they are asking for my card details, just to make it easier for them to charge customers who sneak snacks and drinks? Who even wants their stuff anyway? It's also very far from the bus stop...

The hotel is decent; the room is spacious and well-equipped, though not as luxurious as depicted in the photos. The downside is its distance from the city center, requiring a 50-minute bus ride followed by a 10-minute walk. Guests with a lot of luggage should take this into consideration. Additionally, the packaged drinks on the nightstand are chargeable, and there was no prior notification, which...

Very nice, clean hotel. Staff friendly and some of them very helpful. Good breakfast with a good range of breakfast options. Only issue was location. Hotel is too far from the centre and it's very difficult to get to the city centre. It takes approximately 45 minutes to get to centre once get to the underground.There is a metro stop a 10 + minute drive from hotel but impossible to walk to the metro...

Great value for money and great location if you are in town for a concert

We arrived quite late, the room smelled bad, but the service was good.

The hotel is great, conveniently located, and has a nice environment.

The quilt and bedding are made of synthetic fiber, and the toilet paper is very thin like the ones used in public toilets. The bed sheet is torn. After turning off the lights at night, I found that the door of the room was open, and the wind and sound from the corridor blew into the room. This hotel cut corners on details everywhere. Maybe this kind of fashion hotel is more fake five-star.

Nice room decor and friendly service!

The location was good, clean room with excellent services.

Review: ★★★★★ Our stay at Milan Il Duca was nothing short of exceptional! We booked the Junior Suite, and it exceeded all expectations. The room was spotless, with meticulous attention to cleanliness, and the atmosphere was absolutely enchanting—elegant, relaxing, and luxurious. We were pleasantly surprised by the complimentary treats, including premium nuts, which added a special touch to the experience...