The Metropole Suisse Hotel is a mid-range boutique hotel situated in a white brick, 19th-century building whose facade was designed by architect Giuseppe Terragni, a pioneer of Italian modernity. Directly outside the hotel is a scenic lakefront path and dock, where boats are available for tours around the lake. An outdoor cafe with umbrellas flanks the entrance to the simple tiled reception area. A Victorian-style lobby lounge with striking, sky-blue coffered ceilings and striped wallpaper is filled with overstuffed armchairs and period antiques. There's a similar coffered ceiling in the somewhat dated restaurant, which has gray and burgundy velvet banquettes and lake views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Location is the main draw here, making this hotel a decent pick for couples who want to be within walking distance of the train, ferry, restaurants, and shopping, though more style can be found for less money elsewhere in town. 

This hotel is located on Piazza Cavour, the main square of Como, directly facing the lake and ferry terminal, and a short walk from many restaurants and cafes in the old town. There's plenty to see and do right in town, and sights like the Duomo are only a five-minute walk from the hotel. There's plenty of designer shops and boutiques within five minutes on foot. It's a 10-minute walk to the the funicular that offers views of the Brunate Mountains all around the lake. Many guests won't stay in town for long, as there are quaint villages up and down the lake. It's a 45-minute drive to historic Bellagio, and from there ferries are available to Menaggio and Varenna. There are also tons of classic villas ringing the lake, like Villa del Balbianello, which is 40 minutes away by car. It's a five-minute walk to the train station, which has connections to Milan and its airport -- expect the trip to take an hour. 

Metropole renovates a handful of rooms every winter during its off-season, so its current room inventory is a mixed bag of fresh and dated spaces, some with worn antique furniture. All of the air-conditioned rooms are large, with a mix of contemporary and traditional decor. Classic Rooms are the funkiest that we saw, with whimsical black-and-white architecture-themed wallpaper plus light wood laminate floors and furniture. Superior Rooms have wallpaper with vertical wavy lines in alternate shades of beige, classic furniture, and small brass chandeliers. Junior Suites have the most conservatively clad walls of all; their neutral wallpapers depict straight stripes (no squiggles, like in Superior Rooms) and traditional stenciled starbursts. Furnishings here include classic wood-frame upholstered armchairs with nailhead trim. These rooms also have separate living rooms. 

Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, and minibars. Select rooms have wrought-iron balconies or verandas with side or front views of the lake. Rooms facing the interior courtyard are quieter than lakefront rooms overlooking the street. Tiled bathrooms are clean-lined and modern in most lower-category rooms, with gray tiling and open walk-in showers, which tend to spray water on the floor. 

There aren't too many features at this hotel, given its historic nature and city-center location. Unfortunately, the main feature -- the hotel's restaurant and bar -- doesn't get stellar marks from many guests. It's quite pricey and quality is uneven. A breakfast buffet with hot and cold items plus the usual continental fare is available, but it's not included in room rates. Many guests choose to eat elsewhere. An outdoor cafe with tables, chairs, and umbrellas is located next to the hotel entrance. Inside, there is a traditionally elegant lounge with overstuffed armchairs, lush plants, and period antiques. Wi-Fi is available for free throughout. There's parking available for an extra fee, a plus since spaces are very scarce in town.