Not a good location for bus transport (hourly service) on a very busy main road walking to places not easy as no proper pavements! Arona more touristy easy access to ferries etc. "Red Beef" restaurant attached to hotel very good food, staff spoke English (2 courses with carafe of wine about 43 euros). Hotel staff very helpful, good breakfast (boiled eggs, fruit, ham, cheese, cereal etc) from 6am 'til 10am. Our first time in Italy in June/July not used to being bitten - take insect repellant, have been to Italy at least once a year for 24 years and never been bitten before. Very easy transfer from Malpensa Airport by Alibus, Dormelletto first stop, roads were very busy didn't hire a car as a certain well known Guide book suggested public transport, they were right about the heavy traffic, trains better than buses. English visitors in the minority in the area - very European, glad we spoke some Italian. Felt that Lake Maggiore not used to independent travellers more for organised trips. Tourist Info in Arona helpful but no planned trips to Borromean Islands Stresa/Baveno would have been a better location for visiting them as closer and more regular ferries( a hop on/off daily ticket from Arona cost 17.50 euros).