Hotel Belvedere Bellagio or Royal Victoria in Lake Como for May trip
 

Narrowing down choices for our trip. Considering the bases of Bellagio vs. Varenna. Budget is $275-400/nt. per room. Need two rooms for girls week away. Anyone stayed at these places? Other recommendations welcome. Hoping for good but quieter location and A/C. Thanks!

We didn't stay at the Belvedere but wished we had. It's just outside the village uphill. So has a wonderful view. And it should be a little quieter -- though we didn't find Bellagio at all noisy. Don't know about the AC, but it's probably not an issue in May.

Bellagio is conveniently located between Varenna and Menaggio on the midlake ferry route. Varenna is a smaller place so not so busy. Whereas Menaggio is bigger and probably noisier.

Nobody on this board spends as much time on Lake Como as I do. A simple search here reveals much. Your choice of city and hotel depends totally on your priorities. If you're looking for the most spectacular view from a spacious terrace in a hotel with a pool, the choices are limited. You need to request specific room numbers to get the best rooms.

Quiet is not an issue on Lake Como. Even in so-called high-season, the lake is one of the most quiet places I've ever experienced. But I'm a Manhattanite, so my perspective of quiet may be different from yours.

Lake Como can be very cold in May, especially at night or on the water. I sincerely doubt anyone would want to turn on AC once they experience those chilly lake breezes. Only the die-hard swimmers can be found in the freezing cold pools.

I don't have the time or desire to repeat myself. There is good info here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ate-august.cfm

I think you may be happier in Bellagio. Better location for day trips and more food choices.

Lots of us have spent MUCH more time at the lake..we simply don't go on and on about it.

I would strongly suggest you READ all the reviews and no, the Belvedere is not that "isolated" as some have implied on your other thread.

Here is some text from my trip report that may help:


bobthenavigator on Oct 20, 09 at 7:52pm


A WEEK AT LAGO COMO:

It was no accident that we picked this destination for the final week of our anniversary trip---Lake Como is special. We had looked at 3 apartment options in Bellagio but settled on the Residence Ulivio located near the 5 star Hotel Villa Serbelloni and managed by them. Being able to use the hotel amenities was part of our rationale. It proved to be more than adequate and offered daily maid service as well. We had side-by side small apartments with a nice deck and view.

We spent a leisurely week in Bellagio---as per our game plan---but did manage to include these day trips around the lake. It was our 4th trip to Lake Como:

• A day trip to Varenna and the Villa Monastero gardens. Do not miss the surprising San Giorgio church.
• A day trip to Menaggio for lunch
• A day trip to Lenno and the nearby Villa Balbianello. Do not let them tell you the walk is easy—it is :30 and up and down hill. Take the boat.
• A day trip to the city of Como and the local museum---a pleasant day.
• A walk to the Villa Melzi gardens south of Bellagio.

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4442

I did manage to swim in the local indoor pool at the hotel and the girls managed to shop every corner of Bellagio—they are good at that. We also ate well in Bellagio. Here are our four favorite places—in rank order:

• Ristorante Bilacus—I had a wonderful veal dish.
• Trattoria San Giacomo—just across from Bilacus and less $$$
• Antico Pozzo—nice selection and reasonable
• Barchetta—this was a real surprise and worth a visit.

SUMMARY: Our goal was take our time and enjoy some of our favorite destinations in Italia---mission accomplished. Our time was made even more enjoyable by having long time friends with us to share the experience. But the greatest joy of all is being able to share my passion of travel in Italy with the love of my life. Susan makes it all worthwhile. She is always supportive, always smiling, seldom needs a pit stop, and is truly a joy to be around. We may be traveling less to Europe as we grow older but I know that wherever we end up I will have her by my side. I am the luckiest man in the world.

Thanks so much for the input! Very helpful.

{Bob - your photo "off to Varenna" -- of the boat dock in Varenna -- has convinced me to cancel reservations at Olivedo; way too close to dock. Thanks}

Good idea !