Nancy

Does anyone have any recommendations for lake front hotels w/balconies? We'll be going in June.<BR><BR>Thanks You.

Kay

Nancy, we stayed at Hotel du Lac in Vareena. I don't think they had balconies but it there were windows. It was great. We had found it in Rick Steves book. It was a beautiful place.

Joe

Nancy: Hotel du Lac is in Bellagio. We stayed at Albergo Milano in Varenna and loved it. There are four full frontal lakeview rooms with balaconies. You will have to negotiate hard to get one of these. Knockout views. There are, I believe four rooms with side balaconies which alow a view of the Lake if you look to the left. Amelia, the propriatress, is very helpful and freindly. The rooms are charming as are the public rooms. Breakfast is served on a large balacony at the lower level which has great views of the Lake. You can hang out here with refreshments if you choose. Make your reservations early. Make early reservations for the wonderful Restaurant Vecchia Varenna. Good food, romantic setting, great views, particularly after dark.<BR>We preferred to stay in laid-back Varenna (old fishing village) and ferry to Bellagio and other locations as the mood dictated. Such a beautiful part of Italy.

Wayne

I also strongly recommend Albergo Milano in Varenna for the comfort, price, views, and pleasant staff. I don't think you can go wrong at the Milano if you want a place to relax and enjoy. If you go by car, you will have to park about 5 minutes walk from the hotel.

Joe

Wayne is right. But, the parking was easy. Buy long term tickets in the little square above and to the left (facing the lake) of the Milano. There is a little Pizzaria on the The Pizza San Giorgio, the square where you park, which is perfect for lunch; outdoor seating and freindly staff.

Nancy

Thank You so much for replying. Did anyone by chance see Villa Cipressi?<BR><BR>I can't seem to find it on the web. I'll check out Albergo Milano.<BR><BR>Any other Varenna tips would be great.<BR><BR>Nancy

Ronda

We stayed in another Rick Steves find, Albergo Olivedo in Varenna. Very old fashioned, had a corner room with 2 balconies (4 people), big bathroom. It was, however, a little noisey as the ferry boats have a landing almost in front of the hotel. I was glad I had earplugs. My girls loved it because it was old fashioned.

Julie

There is a Hotel du Lac in both Bellagio and in Varenna. The one in Varenna is very nice. Rooms are furnished in 60's modern but very clean. Restaurant overlooks lake (not the part of the lake that the ferries come in on, around the corner from there) and is very good. Try Pizzocherri, either here or at Vechia Varenna--buckwheat noodles with swiss chard and a terrific, stringy local cheese. Assume rooms at the du Lac also have lake views. Also an outdoor seating area in an arbor-like setting that has terrific views. I'm sure the du Lac is much quieter than the Oliveda, certainly more up to date, but also probably more expensive--though still reasonable. The big hotel in Varenna is the Royal Victoria. It's on the main square in the upper part of town and does not, to my knowledge, have waterfront views. I've visited the Villa Cipresi gardens but not the hotel. I think it's used primarily for groups. We overheard some people who had stayed there complaining about it so I think I'd stick with a visit to the gardens and stay at the du Lac.

GAC

Both the Du Lac and the Milano in Varenna are ultra-romantic. Both are superb choices. The Milano is considerably less expensive (3 v. 4 star). Only the Du Lac has air conditioning. The Milano proprietor told me that the four rooms with full frontal view of the Lake can get hot during the summer months (side view rooms are cooler). The Olivedo is the most conveniently located, across the sidewalk from the ferry landing and close to the train station. It is old fashioned and noisier than the others, and is not particularly "private", given its location. The Royal Victoria is the largest hotel in town (43 rooms), very charming, but again, no air conditioning, despite its 4-star status (I was told that there are plans to install a/c in the near future).

GAC

One further comment: The lakeside gardens of Villa Cipressi and adjacent Villa Monastero are infinitely romantic and gorgeous. They should not be missed. As far as concerns Hotel Villa Cipressi, Julie is correct that it is used mostly for scientific conferences. I have read numerous negative comments about this property (run down, etc.), and have yet to hear one positive remark. Sounds like it badly needs updating. Your best choice for accommodations are the Du Lac or the Milano (the latter if you can tolerate no air conditioning during the hot months).

Nancy

Hi Kay, Joe, Wayne, Julie & GAC,<BR><BR>Thanks for replying. The Albergo Milano website doesn't look too inviting with what looks like a mattress up against the wall.... But so many people say it's great. (And I really want a balcony.)<BR><BR>I love watching Rick Steves on PBS and he recommends Varenna - so that works for me. (We took his recommendation last year for Sorrento and were happy with it)<BR><BR>Is the Hotel du Lac across the street from the lake? or right on it? Getting very picky in my old age!<BR><BR>Pizzocherri sounds yummy!<BR><BR>Thanks again.<BR><BR>Nancy<BR>

GAC

The Du Lac is right on the lake. There is only water in front. It also has a tiny private loading pier (mainly for restaurant supplies). The Milano is higher up, and again, no street in front of it. I suspect that the views of the lake from the front-facing rooms of the Milano are actually better than from the Du Lac (which is at a lower level close to the water). I also agree with Rick Steves: Varenna is a very special place, preferable in many ways to Menaggio and Bellagio (although a lake view room at Bellagio's five-star Hotel Villa Serbelloni would beat everything).

Catherine

I love this site! I have found so much helpful information here in a couple of hours.<BR><BR>My husband and I are going to Italy in August--I know--the absolute worst time to go--but it's the only time I can do it. We are actually going for three weeks, and are having our two grown children meet us in Rome at the end of the first week. From Rome, we will do Umbria and Tuscany. My daughter is a chef, so this is the place for her. I started booking my Aadvantage miles too late, so the only place my husband and I could fly to was Milan. I thought this might be a good time to do the Lake region, and have read wonderful things about it in this forum. I was particularly drawn to the raves about Varenna. I do have a couple of questions.<BR><BR>Is five nights in Varenna too much? Should we spend a couple of nights elsewhere instead? We will be doing a lot of traveling in Tuscany and Umbria, so I'm looking for a little relaxation at the beginning of the trip. We will have a car, so could do day trips, and take day ferry trips.<BR><BR>Also, The Albergo Milano sounds great, and is affordable--but will we die without air conditioning in mid August? I don't mind heat, as long as there is some breeze.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance for any help.

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Nancy and Catherine, Varenna is lovely but so is most of Lake Como. The only reason the Rick " discovered" Varenna back in the 80s was because that is where the train went. He had a back-packer and budget traveler mentality. If you have a car and plan to spend more than $100 for a hotel then there is no reason to stay in Varenna. Given 4 or 5 days in the region I would stay in Bellagio or Mennagio/Tremezzo and drive to Lugano for a day trip. Rick is great but understand his mentality. Most of his "discoveries" in Europe have now become overrun with back-packers and student travelers. I like to think we have graduated from that status.

GAC

I have to respectfully disagree with Bob the Navigator on this posting. Varenna is very different from both Bellagio and Menaggio. All three are extremely beautiful, but Varenna is less developed, a little less "tacky", quieter, less commercialized and in many ways more romantic. The loud row of hotels along the waterfront in Bellagio does not compare well to the discreet elegance of Varenna's few, strategically located hotels. It may not matter that much where you end up staying overnight, since all three locations are "big winners", but there are differences in tone which may encourage one to choose carefully.

Nancy

Thanks GAC - I made my reservations at the Albergo Milano and thought Varenna would be nice because of the sunsets.<BR><BR>

GAC

Nancy: Great! Please let us know your experiences at the Hotel Milano and especially the quality of the rooms.

Joe

I seldom disagree with anything Bob the Navigator offers. But, he is so wrong regarding Varenna and Albergo Milano. We are years past our back-packing days and can afford to stay wherever we choose. One thing we did learn from Rick in those early years was the more stars in your hotel rating, the farther you place yourself from the people of the country you are visiting. We regularly stay in three star hotels (even an occaisional nice two star) as a good compromise for better than basic amenities and access to the people. We thoroughly enjoyed using our basic Italian with Amelia at the Milano. We ferried to Bellagio (and other lake locations) in minutes whenever the mood struck us for shopping, restaurants, views from the hills and taking in the old hotels, villas and gardens. Bellagio is pretty, but tacky in the waterfront area and loaded with tourists; just our opinion and no argument with those that disagree. We found laid-back Varrena to be quiet, charming and very old Italian. We will stay at the occaisional noted hotel, villa, castle, etc., if it is special. But then, there are those knockout views from the front balconies at the Milano. Won't even try to suggest that ours is the only way, but it works for us.

Catherine

Thank you so much for your answers--but nobody commented on the lack of air conditioning at the Milano. As I said, I don't mind heat, as long as there is some air movement. We will be there in mid August. Also, are 4-5 nights too many in Varenna, and should we spend a few nights on Lake Garda or Lake Maggiore?

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Wow--I may have learned something today.<BR>I guess I need to take a closer look at Varenna--it has been about 15 years.<BR>Catherine ! Part of my answer was about the ease of driving from the west shore of Como to charming Lugano as a day trip. Given that much time you may want to spend a nite or 2 in or near Lugano. It is only an hour from Mennagio and very cosmopolitan. I feel 5 days is too long for just Como.<BR>Thanks for the feedback from the others.<BR>I do try to listen and learn.