I recommend Varenna for it's location. We always visit Lenno when on Lake Como, but I would prefer to stay in Varenna. Hotel du Lac is lovely.

Both are good choices with the Albergo Lenno being the better hotel but Varenna being the better location. If they plan to take the train then that is the tie breaker for Varenna---with a car I would prefer the west side of the lake.

We loved the San Giorgio , a decidedly old-fashioned hotel in Lenno, with wonderful views, and there is a ferry stop very close by. I guess Varenna is larger but can't remember if there is a ferry stop there, though it would be logical.
Also in Lenno, you can walk to the lovely gardens of Balbianello.
Lucky parents, hope they have a lovely time!

Thank you. Not sure they'll rent a car so will ask and give them this advice.

I'm not sure what Bob means by "better hotel." Albergo Lenno has a pool but there is much about the hotel that lacks charm, including the pool area. The pool water is not heated, so even on 100 degree days, the water is mountain-top freezing.

Some rooms at the DuLac are adorably precious, but you need to know which rooms to ask for. Service and charm are more intimate at the DuLac. The sun sets on Varenna, and IMO, nothing tops that.

I also recommend Varenna and the Hotel du Lac. The room we had was "Hortensia" which had a large patio overlooking the water. Lovely....

There are also some good/great restaurants in Varenna whereas the worst meal we had was in Lenno!!!

Schnauzer

The view from the Hotel du Lac in Varenna is one of my favorites on Lake Como.

Thank you so much! Would you recommend any other hotels? Any hotels with more updated / modern rooms? Maybe the hotels websites are outdated but the rooms don't look that nice on the websites.

Ok I just emailed the Du Lac about the Hortensia room, we'll see what they say. And yes, I'm acting as the "travel agent" for my parents since they're not as interested as I am in writing many emails to Italy. =)

Or . . . do you think it would be worth it to pay a bit more and stay at Hotel Belvedere in Bellagio?

The Belvedere is up the hill from the 'main drag' of Bellagio and the ferry dock. Would your parents be interested in and/or able to make that walk back and forth? It's about 600-650 meters.

Have you looked at the Hotel Florence in Bellagio? It's at lake level with lovely views from some rooms.

Thanks Jean, I'll look into that!

Does anyone know anything about Hotel Villa Stupenda in Bellano or Albergo Terminus in Como? These also look nice but not sure about those locations . . .

Stay with Varenna or Bellagio--or Lenno.