I have heard this hotel in Bellagio is fantastic. I have emailed them my dates and they have responded with a list of rooms to pick from including their "SUPERIOR "DOUBLE ROOM WITH BATH OR SHOWER , BALCONY OR PATIO AND LAKE VIEW; or thier "DELUXE" DOUBLE ROOM WITH BATH/SHOWER , BALCONY OR TERRACE AND LAKE VIEW. These are the two rooms I'm deciding between. Any thoughts. There is a 20 Euro a night difference with the Deluxe being slightly more with the Terrace/Lake View.

Also, they are offering a "Half-Board" deal that adds 40 or so Euros per night and it adds Lunch or dinner to your stay. Does anyone recommend doing the "Half-Board"? Or would you rather eat at the local places?

TravelBug16, the key element is the view of the lake. If you can be guaranteed that with the less expensive room, then take it. You can check out the difference rooms on the hotel's website:
http://www.belvederebellagio.com
As for the half board, we weren't that impressed with our dinner there. We had much better meals elsewhere during our stay. (I strongly recommend Bilacus in Bellagio.)
You're in for a real treat at the hotel. The staff is one of its greatest assets--wonderfully helpful and accommodating.

By the way, make reservations in advance for Bilacus. It has become insanely popular. We stopped there are first day after arrival and tried to make a reservation for any of our four nights there for any time -- early or late and had no luck. We checked back twice during the week and they still couldn't accomodate us. I'd suggest booking a couple weeks ahead.

Can I book a reservation there by email?

I don't see why not. [email protected]

So the Bilacus is in the Belvedere Hotel?

We stayed at the Belvedere several years ago and loved it. As I recall we didn't even have a "superior" room and the room we had was quite large and very nicely furnished. As others have said, the most important thing is the lake view---fabulous. I would lean toward a balcony rather than the terrace because I think the view is better the higher up you are.

And no, Bilacus is not in the hotel. It is in the town ( a short walk--downhill on the way in, uphill on the way back----good for walking off the calories you consume at dinner!!)

As the previous poster noted, the Bilacus is not in the Belevedere but at Serita Serbelloni, 30/32 (on the main street/hill between the hotel and the waterfront area).

So how would you recommend making reservations?

I kind of thought you originally were asking how to make reservations for Bilacus and not for the Bellvedere, and now I see you were.

I don't know that they have a website, but you can easily google to get their phone number and call them in advance. Or email your hotel (is it the Belvedere?) and ask them to make the reservation for you.

The phone number for Bilacus from the US is 011-39-31-950-480. (39 is the coutry code and 31 is the city code.)

I just wanted to say Thank you for this thread. We will be at the Belvedere in July and I just requested reservations for the restaurant.
I love Fodors

Thanks for the information on the restaurant. It sounds awesome. I will email the Belvedere closer to the date and hopefully they can make the reservations for me and save me the phone call.
Hey Lenox, did you decide on what type of room your reserving?

We booked a Superior double room. I received an email yesterday from the hotel and they said we would for sure have a view of the lake. They also said it shouldn't be any problem to get into the restaurant.
I am so glad you started this thread.

What are the rates for rooms at the Bellagio? I looked at their web site earlier today and didn't see any rates posted. I will be in Milan in the second half of May and want to spend about a week afterward in the Italian lakes and Ticino. FYI, if the Bellagio is full for my dates, what would be the best second choice--either in Bellagio itself or elsewhere along the lake?
Thanks!

It is the BELVEDERE in Bellagio. The Bellagio Hotel is in Las Vegas. A good back up in Bellagio is the Hotel Du Lac

Having stayed at Hotel Du Lac, which was fine, but nothing special (although we had a very large room facing the lake), my suggestion (in case the Belvedere is booked) would be The Hotel Florence, much more charming than the Hotel Du Lac. It is not air-conditioned, which is why we didn't do it the end of August, but in May, I wouldn't hesitate to stay at the Hotel Florence.

I understand the Belvedere IS indeed a lovely hotel. It is however UP UP the hill. There is a lot of steep climbing to get back to the town....steep steps etc,,if one is walking, back and forth. The town is very "tight".

Du Lac is on the water, as is the Metropole , where we stayed a few years ago . (the Du Lac was closed at that time..late Oct.). The Metropole is a wondeful location, just a few steps from where the hydrofoil docks, and the hotel literally "hangs out" over the water. ....close to walking to shopping and restaurants...with a little climbing up "street steps',,,but not the long distance one would have to the Belvedere.

BobTN,
Of course I meant the Belvedere in Bellagio. When I typed the message, my mind was still in shock over the news posted in another thread that the U.S. Travel Channel has deteriorated into nothing but promos for Las Vegas and poker tournaments. What a shame!
At any rate, can someone give me an idea of the rates for the Belvedere IN Bellagio? And how do you get up that hill? Are there taxis? Or are you expected to slog it on your own? I don't mind walking hills, but *not* with luggage.
Thanks, Patrick for the Hotel Florence suggestion, I will check it out. Also the Metropole.
FYI, what is the best way to get from Bellagio to Lugano? I'm thinking boat back to Como, then train. But if anyone has other suggestions...
also, which would people here suggest first? Bellagio then Lugano or Lugano then Bellagio? (I have already been to Lugano several times and really like it; I know many Fodorites feel it's not their favorite place in the region. Plus a friend who's traveling with me wants to hit the outlet stores at nearby Foxtown.). The starting point would be Milan.
*apologies to TravelBug16 for "hijacking" the thread...if you prefer, I'll start a new thread with my questions.

If you plan to see Lugano then why not stay in Menaggio. The bus service from there takes about an hour.