Steve1

We're driving to Lake Como from Milan in May, arriving on Sat and leaving on Tue for 3 nights. We've heard good things about the Grand Hotel Victoria Menaggio. Is it also worth it to go to Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio? If we go to Bellagio from Menaggio, we need to stay 1 night in GHV Menaggio first, and take the car ferry the next day for 2 nights in Bellagio.

How often does the car ferry run from Menaggio to Bellagio?

Is the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni worth the move? We know of the price difference, but will do it if it is worthwhile. Thanks.

JmVikmanis

I've not seen the rooms at Sebelloni but they must be more sumptuous than those at the GH Menaggio for the price difference. We like the GH Menaggio and have stayed there our last 3 visits to Lake Como. Rooms are comfortable but relatively stripped down. Public rooms are very nice with lots of modern Italian style and fresh flowers. Best of all views are wonderful and they have a nice pool. it's also very close to the ferry dock. We find it perfectly comfortable and charming and I would definitely recommend just staying there rather than going to the hassle of changing hotels. Ferries run frequently (like probably more than once an hour) between Menaggio, Bellagio and Varenna and the trip from one to the other is around 20 minutes or so in my recollection. So you can easily stay in one place and see the rest. In fact, you can arrange to have dinner at the Serbelloni, walk around it and see if you'd really prefer to stay there the next time you're on the lakes. Unless you're really into old-fashioned luxury hotels as a "thing" I certainly would say it's not worth the effort to change hotels during your 3 day stay.

Bootman4U

there are two "Grand" hotels in Menaggio..the Grand and the Grand Hotel Victoria. I believe the Grand is close the the ferry dock..the Victoria is farther away.

Athena39

if it's value you're looking ofr you could do no better than the Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace.
http://www.grandhoteltremezzo.com/
Just a ten-minute ferry ride from Bellagio, it's a lovely lakeside resort with all the amenities.

richardsonsnm

Serbelloni has got a 5 star location, killer views, but the rooms are just ok. i believe we paid about $400 a night, nice, but not 5 star.

JUICYJUJU

We stayed at the Serbelloni on our honeymoon and loved it. My only complaint-after telling them we were on our honeymoon, they gave us a room with two tiny twin beds that couldn't be pulled together!

dedlaw

My first wife and I went to GHV Serbelloni on our honeymoon (sorry, it didn't stick). I let them know well in advance it was a honeymoon and the room was huge with a huge balcony, everything was great. However, the restaurant was very expensive and mediocre (this was long ago). If you're interested, I can check my notes and let you know the room no. we were in, because it was definitely one of the few with the nice balcony (more like a big patio area).

suecarol

I second the response about Serbelloni rooms not being spectacular. We stayed there for a few days, enjoyed it enough but it wasn't magical. If you are in Como, do try to visit the villa of Guido Monzino,an amazing man, an amazing life and his legacy lives on in his former home, Villa del Balbianello.

Steve1

Thanks for all the replies.

It seems that the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio has a great location and setting, but mediocre rooms.

How about the Belvedere in Bellagio. I think it is up on a hill (from the pictures), it that far away from "town"? I think it's similar price to Grand Hotel Victoria Menaggio.

Also, how about car ferry schedule? Is it as frequent as the regular ferry, or are they actually the same thing?

Thanks.