snapdragon703

Hello! I'm planning a trip for late June that includes 4 days in the Lake Como area and we're debating the mid-lake towns. I've looked back on forum postings and see lots of discussion of 3 or 4 hotels in Menaggio, but nothing said of Hotel Garni Corona, which seems quite well located and affordable. I'm also looking at Hotel Villa Edy, though I can't get a read on how far from town (Tremezzo) that is. Can anyone offer a review of one or the other? (We still have Varenna under consideration, but already have a hotel there on hold.) Thank you very much!

bobthenavigator

I like the 3 star Hotel Du Lac in Menaggio for location.

Jean

I'm not familiar with the Hotel Garni Corona, but I have spent time eating, people-watching and ferry-waiting on the piazza in front of the hotel. It is a beehive of activity on schoolday afternoons when kids get out of school. The Hotel du Lac is only 100 m. away.

Varenna is quieter overall, especially at night, but I think the views from Varenna are better. Which hotel in Varenna are you considering?

The Hotel Villa Edy looks nice, and according to maps.google.com it's only about 1 km. from the center of Tremezzo. The hotel's website mentions a free shuttle to town, bus stop and ferry stop. But if you won't have a car, you should peruse the ferry timetables before you decide to stay in Tremezzo.

http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/com/nlc_ora.html

The spring timetable is on the site now, but you'll see that Tremezzo is not one of the frequently-served towns.

Big_Red

Boat service at Tremezzo is reasonably good, altthough not as good as VArenna, Bellagio or Menaggio. While there is no car/truck ferry, there is a non-winter passenger service that comes around on an hourly basis. This is in addition to the normal north-south boat service. Also, in addition to the Tremezzo boat stop, the Villa Carlotta stop is only about a 1,000 feet away.

My concern with Hotel Villa Edy would be how high above the lake level it is (might be). All of Lake Como is steep (think 30 degree slopes). It possible that you climb several hundred vertical feet to get there. The fact that that their website deos not provide photos showing a lake view is not promising. I can look it up on a topo map (Saturday).

Big_Red

Snap Dragon,

Rental car at Lake Como or no rental car?

Dukey

You do NOT, IMO "need" a rental car if you are staying in any of those three mid-lake towns (and you are lucky going in June as you will not want air conditioning yet and I think your chosen hotel may not have it) UNLESS you don't like getting around by ferry.

snapdragon703

Thank you Bob, Jean, Big Red and Dukey, for your replies! We are definitely leaning toward no car and using our feet and the ferries to explore the area. That puts Varenna and Menaggio ahead of Tremezzo, I guess, for ferry convenience. Albergo Milano is the hotel we are considering in Varenna, which I know is well regarded. They are offering a lateral lake view room 2 nights and an apt 2 nights....the split is doable, but not preferred. I can get lake view with balcony at HGCorona, which makes it very appealing. Thoughts?

Jim_Tardio

We stayed at the Hotel Garni Corona last June. The hotel is clean and well located right in the main square of Menaggio. Parking is available on the street that runs along the lake. We had a large van and never had trouble finding a place to park.

The ferry dock is about a 10 minute walk from the hotel.

The hotel had a decent breakfast, modern bathrooms and fairly spacious rooms. Do request a lake view room. It is worth the extra cost and gets you a fantastic balcony overlooking the lake and the main square.

The Hotel Garni Corona is a great value and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. The Hotel Du Lac that Bob mentions is on the other side of the square. It is the same style hotel as the Garni Corona..and about the same size.

I say book it if you can. We loved it. If you send me your email I can send you a photo taken from our balcony.

Big_Red

Snap Dragon,

It seems like your thought porcess is moving in the right direction. I don't think the Hotel Villa Edy is right for you.
I have always thought that the Garni Corona was probably a good value (have not stayed there tho'). As mentioned above, you probably want a lake view if one is still available. Menaggio is a great town, very convenient.

snapdragon703

Thanks Jim and Big Red - I think I'm ready to head for the Hotel Garni Corona and get the lake view room! Jim - I'll send you my email - I'd love to see your photo.

Jim_Tardio

Here's my email, snapdragon. Send me a note and I'll attach 2 photos.

[email protected]