Will be traveling in Northern Italy, from mid May, into mid June, 2011. Currently have reservations for 3 nights at the Hotel Du Lac in Bellagio. Just wondering if anyone has stayed at this hotel and if so, impressions??? We are traveling with two friends that like "nice" hotels but we're not looking to break the bank. Can anyone who has been to Lago Como advise of the better hotels in the Bellagio area. Prior to arriving here, we will be traveling from Bolzano so didn't want to stay on the west side of the lake. After leaving Bellagio, we also have 3 nights at Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees in Stressa. Welcome all your comments. Thanks

It is just fair.
The Hotel Florence next door is a bit better but still just a 3 star. The GH Serbelloni is an expensive 5 star, and there really is not a good 4 star in town. The closest is the Hotel Belvedere on the hill above town--fabulous views but not right in town. Hope this helps.

Click on my name above to see my trip report from 2009.

Hmmm ! See if this works.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...front&cat=4442

We stayed on the back side of the town at Pergola (http://www.lapergolabellagio.it/). It would not fit your friends' definition of "nice" but we had a super time at this family-owned hotel. It also has a restaurant-we had Easter lunch there and it was very good.

Anyhow, it is a fair walk to downtown Bellagio and we passed the Belvedere and thought it looked like it has wonderful views. As Bob says, it's not in the heart of town.

Have you looked at Trip Advisor?

We had a lovely stay at Hotel Belvedere. It is literally a 5 minute walk from town, but still feels separate and quiet, which we liked. After accounting for the 5 minute walk, the only difference is that you begin your walk through town from the top, rather than from the waterfront at the bottom of the hill.

Are you driving? I daresay you'd take the ferry to Bellagio so you could really stay on any side of the lake.

We liked our stay here: http://www.ilperlo.com/en

We've stayed only at the Hotel Florence and were very happy with the choice - a beautiful room with full on lake view and a lovely lakeside terrace restaurant - my favorite restaurant in Bellagio. Even with luggage, it's only a three minute level walk from the ferry dock.

The decor of the Belvedere didn't appeal to us, but the views are terrific (make sure you get a view room if you opt to go there) and they have a pool - a definite plus in hot weather.

We stayed at the GH Serbelloni and IMO it is overrated.

Agree with others on the Hotel Florence. If you consider staying at the Florence, request the large deck on the second floor, with adjoining rooms, overlooking the lake. If you look at the hotel picture, it isn't the circular deck. It's the building set back a bit and the deck is the whole width of that portion of the hotel. Returning to the hotel after a day of sightseeing and sitting on the deck with wine and cheese. looking out at the lake, is devine. www.hotelflorencebellagio.it/homeeng.htm Richard

My favorite is the grand old dame, the Hotel Excelsior Splendide:

http://www.hsplendide.com

Right there in the center of town.

We love,love,love the Hotel Florence. I can't say enough about it. Just make sure you get a room with a lake view. The 2 rooms with the terrace are great because of the terrace, but other rooms with a little balcony overlooking the lake are equally wonderful.
The outdoor terrace restaurant will stay in my memory forever. Wonderful food, service and one of the best views in the world.

Do not miss: http://www.cavaturacciolo.it/home.jsp, an incredible wine bar.

Thanks for all the recommendations. Our friends would love the Grand Hotel Serbellina but we definitely don't want to go quite that high. I was impressed with the reviews Hotel Belvedere received on trip advisor so now we're looking too find the best rates for this property. Thanks again.

On our first visit to Bellagio we stayed at the Belvedere. We chose it because it was a few steps away from the town center and had parking. Ask for a room on a high floor with sweeping views of the eastern leg of the eastern leg of the lake with mountains beyond. You can easily take a walk down the hill to the waterfront village of Pescallo. We did not want to be on the waterfront of Bellagio with crowds and ferries coming and going. Hotel Belevedere was perfect for those reasons. The breakfast was just OK and I would avise you to go into Bellagio for dinner. It is a very short walk. SInce that first visit we have returned to Belellagio three times and have rented apartments.