Need a tie-breaker. Traveling to Bellagio in 9/19/07 (3 couples). Have rooms booked at Hotel Florence - queen bed, no view, no AC and Hotel Belvedere - King bed, lake view, balcony or terrace and AC. I'm leaning toward Belvedere, friends like Hotel Florence. Any advice? We may stay in different places. Also, Malpensa airport hotels for night before flight - looking at Hotel First - any opinions?

Personally, I would stay at the Hotel Du Lac. A couple of doors down from the Florence, and similarly priced. But A/C! (I don't think you'll need it for your dates.) Right on the waterfront, lake view rooms, a very good restaurant on second floor overlooking the harbor and lake view.

Two tie-breaking ideas: The Hotel du Lac in Varenna or an apartment (or two) in the middle of Bellagio. Go to www.residencelalimonera.com.

I've stayed at the Florence a couple of times and really like staying right in town. It also has a very good restaurant. That being said, the Belvedere has wonderful views.

We've stayed at the Villa Malpensa before early flights home and can recommend it.

Thanks ... Hotel Du Lac is full. As for the apartment, we would need 3 and they are probably booked by now.

Yes, La Limonera is not available from Sept. 19th.

Did you check both the du Lac in Bellagio and the du Lac in Varenna? They are not related.

Well, as you're covered at the Florence and the Belvedere, I guess it's time to flip the coin. But if you want to look further, go to www.bellagio.co.nz for lists of hotels, B&Bs and apartments in Bellagio. There have been some recent positive reviews of the Metropole.

Although I prefer the Florence overall as a hotel and think their decor is much prettier, I can't imagine staying there without a view room, that's the icing on the cake. So my rec is for the Belvedere. Also better if you're traveling by car as the Belvedere has parking and the Florence doesn't.
You *might* still appreciate airco in mid September, depends what kind of summer they have.
Have lunch or dinner at the Florence's lakeside restaurant if you can fit it in. I had my favorite meal in Bellagio there--thought it was definitely better than Bilacus--and the setting is lovely.

Highly recommend Hotel Fierenze ( Florence )over the Belvedere.

Depending on the time of your return flight, stay in Bellagio the night before and have your hotel arrange for a car with driver to take you to Malpensa the morning you depart.

We did this a couple of years ago and it worked out perfectly.The drive is not much longer than coming out of Milan.

Try calling the Hotel Florence and make a personal appeal for a room facing the lake. It worked for me.

GTG

With three couples, plus luggage, you probably do want to be near Malpensa for that last night -- preferably at a hotel that has a shuttle service to the airport.

Thanks to all who have replied! I think we're down to choosing the Belvedere since we have confirmation of King beds and rooms with Lake views. I'd love to hear from anyone who has stayed there recently. Thanks again!

We were recommended the BELVEDERE for our trip in 1999. Two couples. We enjoyed the hotel and would stay there again. There is parking and it is an easy stroll to town.

One thing to ask for: The hotel has balconies overlooking the lake but if I remember correctly the balconies on Belvedere floor #1 (our floor #2 in the US) are large with nice chairs, good views and ample room to sit out with people for wine. This is what we did.

All the other balconies on the other floors, while higher, are small balconies. They did not look like they would hold too many people. Depending on your preferences, you may ask for one or the other. The four of us had ajoining rooms on floor 1 with a nice large balcony. We ran through some great wine while on that balcony!

Stay in Bellagio the night before your flight. We did that. Took the ferry over to the main road and got to airport in plenty of time. Sure beat staying is some airport hotel.

traveldawg ... thanks so much! I really appreciate the info!

We stayed at The Belvedere last July in the annex suite with a nice-sized balcony overlooking the lake. It was heavenly. We actually preferred being a bit removed from town ( although it's an easy walk- about ten minutes or so) because of the heavy summer crowds during the day. As for the hotel, we really loved it, although watch out for the restaurant. It was really awful, and no need to eat there, since there are several decent places nearby.

Didn't like the Du Lac anyway in Bellagio. First Hotel is a decent place near the airport with friendly service. Not fancy, but clean and efficient.

Has anyone stayed at these 2 hotels recently - Hotel Florence and The Belvedere?

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I visited (but stayed in Menaggio) the Belvedere in fall 2008 and thought it was wonderful. Gorgeous lake view..easy walk to town. It would be my pick if I wanted to stay in Bellagio.

I believe Hotel Florence now has A/C. The restaurant in the hotel is very good, and the hotel's location is a level walk to the ferry dock, if that makes a difference. Gorgeous lake views here too.

I prefer the location of the Florence, but location in Bellagio is really a personal choice. Distances are short.

Have stayed in the Hotel Belvedere several times, last in May '09. Very nice hotel and great views of the lake towards Varenna from the back side. Get a terrace room, and you get lounges on the lawn in front of your room overlooking the lake. Walk to main part of town is 8-10 minutes. Restaurant in the hotel is nice, nothing exceptional, except the views. Good service too.

I stayed at the Hotel Florence this past July. The views are great, the rooms are very nice, the location is perfect.... But the staff was less to be desired. I would though recommend it. My room did not have AC, even in July- it was not missed. There was a nice breeze off of the lake and the large windows open. My room was advertised as a "no view" but what I got was a side view and it was perfect. Also, no stairs to climb to get to the hotel itself. The actual elevator inside the hotel is very very very small! Maybe not even big enough for one person and a bag.

I have read good reviews for the Hotel Metropole in Bellagio, has anyone had any experience with this establishment?

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