I am driving myself crazy trying to find the right place to stay. So many options. I am looking for a hotel with great views on the lake with a terrace or balcony. Price $300 - $450. Must have A/C! I'm open to the town. Like to have restaurants walking distance to the hotel. Please give me your suggestions. We will be there end of April/beginning of May 2017 for 3 nights. Will just come from Alba, love to visit Verona after the lakes before heading to Milan. Thanks for the help. Ya'll (yes, I'm from the South) helped find the perfect place in Tuscany. Please do it again.

The list of possibilities is long. Have you even narrowed what part of the lake? Will you still have the car?

We will have a car. I truly am open to which part of the lake. We like walking to restaurants and local shops. Probably not the top side closer to Switzerland since I'd like to go to Verona. It will save on travel time. When we get there I'd like to park the car and just walk in town or use ferry service. Want to sit in the evening on the balcony and enjoy a good bottle of wine and the view.

Parking is a big problem in Bellagio. Hotel Belvedere does have parking.

We stayed at the Belvedere in Bellagio. Parked the car and left it there.

We stayed in Menaggio and desperately needed a fan, it was difficult to sleep it was so hot. DH slept on the balcony but smoke and loud voices from the restaurant below kept him awake. I wish you luck finding AC. Try to visit the Villa Balbianello.

Have a look at the Hotel du Lac in Varenna.

Don't know the price these days, but we loved our stay at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo directly across the lake from Bellagio near Villa Carlotta.

Parking---yes
Restaurant on a terrace overlooking the lake---yes
Excellent grounds & pool, path up a hill in back for a view---yes
Close to Al Veluu for the most memorable dinner we've had in the hills above Tremezzo----yes, yes, yes
Several small restaurants within walking distance----yes
Boat dock close by for easy access to towns on the lake----yess

Loved all the small towns on the lake BUT Como itself was not nice at all, IMO avoid it.

I want to thank everyone for the suggestions. I am going to see which of these are available. Fodor's followers never let me down. If any more suggestions come to mind please post.

We stayed here in May 2015. It was a nice hotel, got a good price with breakfast included. Convenient location; we didn't have a car.

http://www.albergometropole.it/

From experience I agree with the need for A//C and the Grand and Belvedere BOTH have it. With a car, and unless you absolutely feel the need to be close to Bellagio my own preference would be for the Grand.

You may want to read this before you commit to Como.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/143653...como-hideaway/

From what I've read, the migrants/refugees are congregated in the town of Como, far from the mid-lake area being recommended... and far from Clooney's house no matter what the media says.

Dukey, are you talking about the Grand Hotel in Menaggio?