My first trip to Italy is about to happen, and we have searched for a hotel that will be opened October 27th and 28th for our stay. We start out in Como, so we want to start out with a bang and then scrimp from there in Cinque Terra and then Montecatini. It seems many are places are closed.Does anyone have experience with the Bellagio Hotel,owned by the Dulac folks, (dulac is closed) I can not find anything of personal experience posted online, only hotel reviews by the hotel itself. Makes me wonder why. Can anyone recommend a place with a view, not necessarily on the lake but close to see it, with a spacious room, (my husband is quite tall) and very good breakfast. The Bellvedere seems to be full.

In Menaggio you might also take a look at the Grand Hotel <b>Victoria</b> as well as the Grand Hotel.

The Victoria is a couple of blocks fruther on (from the ferry dock and the Grand and a long block or so from the Bella Vista[which may be closed during your timeframe]).

All three of these are either directly on the lakeshore (the Grand and the Bella Vista) or across the street (the Victoria).

If your heart is absolutely set on being in Bellagio then I'm afraid I cannot be of help.

I have stayed at the GH Menaggio Victoria, and though I loved it (specifically, I should say that I loved Lake Como, and that I think Menaggio is a great choice of the three mid-lake towns)...

...it appears to me that the GH Menaggio (the one right next to the ferry landing in Menaggio) might be the better choice.

Nerither is a bad choice, but the rooms at GHMV are <i>very</i> plain, bordering on a total absence of decor.

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi sanddabs,

If you will have a car, we can suggest Albergo Villa Belevedere in Argegno. It is, I believe, open during the time of your travel. We have very much enjoyed our visit there. The bedrooms are fine but basic. The public rooms are very nice and very comfortable. The food, when we were there, was excellent, as was the service throughout. The particular added appeal is that the Villa is directly on the lake. The road runs behind it. So you must request a room with a lakeview, and possibly a tiny balcony. When we were there they offered a full board arrangement and we were very happy with it.

The stop for the lake cruisers is right next door, an easy walk, although I don't know how many run at that time of year. If this sounds interesting, see www.villabelvedere-argegno.it/

I do not know its closing date but have you tried the Hotel Florence in Bellagio?

http://www.hotelflorencebellagio.it/

For a larger room they have a few suites.

GBC, their website is not user friendly and does not have a price per night for 2 people. How much did you pay, and was it for B&amp;B or full board. Thanks,

To Budman,

I agree that their website is not user friendly. I am not at home and I don't recall what we paid. I remember that full board was an option and we stayed there on that basis.

The website does include an email link. If you contact them with specific dates I'm sure Jane will be happy to get back to you. I'm sorry that I don't have more details.

GBC, I heard back from them, and they want 110 Euro per person per night for half board. They said they could do one night of the three for 140 Euro as a B&amp;B only. With the half board, that's 40 Euro per person/per night for the dinner - probably without wine. A little steep for my budget. Don't mind splurging once in a while.

We stayed at the Hotel Bellagio in Bellagio this past April and had a lovely time. We enjoyed that it was not directly on the waterfront with the tourist hordes, but up a flight of steps. The main ferry stop was very near the bottom of the steps.

The hotel was recently renovated in total. The decor is clean an modern--little flat screen TV on the wall in the room and such. When we were there, it was too cool to breakfast under the terrace pergola, but the breakfast room itself is large and accomodating. Our room had a balcony facing the lake. We were at rooftop level, so we could see some water and the mountains across the way, as well as the neighbors feeding their canary. We did not pay extra for a lake view. I suppose if you do so you will get a room on a higher floor.

I chose this hotel because, strangely enough, I had stayed at the same place under different management 20 years before. I remembered feeling good about being away from the busy-ness of the main street. In October you probably wouldn't have such concerns.

No contest, we have just returned from Bellagio and stayed at the Hotel Metropole. Cannot praise it enough, right on the lake, wonderful staff, lovely rooms and standard of furnishings, roof top terrace and a buffet breakfast par excellence and all this for 130 euro per night in the high season period.

They have an excellent website and it is easy to book.

Loved Bellagio and the Lake Como area and you cannot knock Varenna or Mennagio but Bellagio really is the place to stay.

Have a great time I am so jealous!!