Looking for a place to stay in Menaggio next Spring. I know many of you have stayed in Bellagio or Varenna, but I want to be on the other side of the lake to do day trips. I will have a car.

Any first-hand recommendations?

Sure Budman,I have have done two there.

My fav is GH Menaggio, but is a 4 star and about 170E depending on type of room. However, just next door, is the 3 star Bellavista for about 120E. Both are next to the boat dock and very convenient. Good idea !

Thanks, Bob. I sent an e-mail a week or so ago to Bellavista, and they responded, words to the effect, to contact them in January/February.

I'm guessing most of the places close for the winter.

Como is beautiful in the Spring. Wish we could join you. Directly on the lake, and adjacent to a boat dock, is the Albergo Villa Belvedere, located just south of Menaggio in Argegno. We had a very nice visit there including very good food. At the time of our visit, they offered an all inclusive rate.

You are correct about the BellaVista which, as I recall, opens for business in the March timeframe. It is a short walk from the ferry dock (where the GH Menaggio is located).

Another possibility is the GH Victoria Menaggio which is a few minutes' walk further on from the BellaVista.

The BV and the GH Menaggio are right on the lakefront; the GH Victoria is across the street from the lakefront but the lakeview rooms on the upper floors are unobstructed.

I've stayed in the GH Victoria; had a great view but the room was about as dull as dirt; staff wonderful and buffet breakfast typical.

We looked at rooms in the BellaVista which were more rustically decorated (at least the ones we saw) and smaller than those at the GH Victoria. Ate twice in the BV restaurant (lakeside) which offered good food and service.

Another vote for the GH Mennagio, we had a lake side room and the views in the morning were spectacular ! There is a Pub next door which is a lot of fun as well and a well stocked grocery store about 30 metres down the road ( a great selection of wines and nibbles for that lakeside picnic !)

Hi Budman - We were in Menaggio for two nights this past June and loved the town. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Mennagio and were very happy there. They have a great pool with a view of the lake and surrounding hills that we found very relaxing and they are right next to the ferry.

GH Victoria is lovely from the outside but they do not have a pool, if that is a need.

We ended up being really glad to stay in Menaggio rather than Bellagio, which many prefer. It just felt a little less touristy. We were there during the world cup which added to the fun. One night while eating dinner in one of the piazzas in Menaggio, the local people set up a screen and many chairs in the square to watch the game together outside. All neighbors and friends and families came out of the woodwork to watch the game, waving Italian flags, drinking wine and beer, and cheering like crazy. It was just very cool.

GH Menaggio has a restaurant on the premises which is fancy but there are some casual restaurants five minutes walk away in the little town.

Hope that helps -

We stayed at GH Tremezzo which is pretty close to Menaggio. Very pretty hotel, good service. Worth the money.

I've stayed at GHV Menaggio... room &quot;as dull as dirt&quot;? Ummm, I'd say that's about right. It was uch a magical four days - - for everything <i>but</i> time in the room (basically just slept in it, at night) - - that I really don't have anything but good memories.

But the GH Menaggio is a better location in my opinion, and others who have posted here have suggested that the rooms are nicer. I bet that they are right.

Being on the Menaggio side of the lake, especially with a car - - is a very good decision, in my opinion.

Best wishes,

Rex

p.s. great litte enoteca (truly just a wine store, not the kind that is tasting bar with little snacks, stc) in Tremezzo, just down the road. The kind of place that you'd give your right arm... to have in your neighborhood back home.

I'm pretty sure it's the only enoteca in Tremezzo. Kinda in a little arcade. Look for any of several labels of Teroldego Rotaliano there. You'll thank me.

I have stayed at the Grand Hotel Menaggio and thought it was excellent. Perfect location, wonderful staff and the view room was about as good as it gets.

On another point I actually preferred Mennagio to Bellagio ! Also try to have a long lunch at Locanda dell'Isola Comacina you will not regret it!!!

Yes, Rex, the room was very dull with exactly one picture on the walls. But it was one of, if not <b>the</b>best room in the place located directly over the hotel front entrance with a huge balcony and a great view.

We found Menaggio to be very relaxing (fewer shopping oportunities than Menaggio but we weren't there for shopping) and far, FAR less crowded with visitors than Bellagio.

And, Budman, with the rental car you will definitely appreciate being in either Menaggio or Varenna as oposed to Bellagio unless you don't mind taking the ferry out of town for most every trip.

Clarification: I don't think we are in disagreement. My room was NOT one of the best, and it had NO picture on the wall, nor any view. But it was still a great stay. I also concur on very good staff.

That aside, GHM seems to be a better hotel - - you would agree on that also?

No, we aren't disagreeing at all. We enjoyed the GH Victoria but I think if I went again I would be more inclined to stay at the GH next to the ferry dock. We actually looked through that hotel (although weren't able to see any rooms) and the public areas were very nice; more upscale than at the Bella Vista.

The reviews of the GH on tripAdvisor are interesting and worth reading I think.

Thanks for all the great information. I was a little concerned as I didn't find a lot of info on Menaggio, but now it appears it will be my best bet.

Marko, I looked at the website for that restaurant -- Wouldn't it be better to have a large, late breakfast, skip lunch, and have dinner there one evening?

GBC, what price did Albergo Villa Belvedere give you. I can't seem to find a price on their website. Maybe I'll just e-mail them.

ttt.

Budman - they are featured on Karen Brown's website which quotes a price of 200 to 220E for a double. Here is the site that might help you.

http://www.karenbrown.com/property.asp?propid=4417

Thanks. I just received an e-mail from this saying they want 110 per person for half board. I really don't want half board -- maybe one night or so -- leaves out options for other dining.

Menaggio in Spring. Sounds lovely

We had stayed there also in our last Summer trip. Definitely preferred it to Bellagio (less crowded and more of a holiday-feel to the place)

We styed in a hostel there and quite enjoyed the experience. I was a bit apprehensive since we were four of us travelling and first time in a youth hostel. But we had a great experience and undoubtedly the best part of our vacation was in M. Let me know if you need details on hostels and I can dig out the contact info etc.

- T.