lisaannmack

We are celebrating our parents 50th anniversary on Amalfi coast in June 2011. We are going to fly into Milan and spend 3 nights in Bellagio to get a quick taste of the lakes. I've been before and stayed at Villa Serbelloni at the apartments (great deal) but my parents haven't been. This time looking to spend $250-350 a night with lakeview. Saw Hotel Belvedere is tops on Trip Advisor?? Any suggestions? Also, assuming too short on time to get to see Stresa?? Not planning on renting car..take train and ferry to Bellagio from MXP and possibly spurlge on car service back to MXP. Flying Easyjet to Naples. Is it best to get car service to Don Alfonso hotel from Naples airport? Ending up in Positano for 6 nights. Thank you!

Michael

Not in Bellagio proper but above it is Il Perlo Panorama with rooms with a view and a wonderful terrace overlooking Bellagio and the lake. They have wine by the glass for those who want to relax on the terrace.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622914503405/

iris1745

HI; You could consider this hotel that has good reviews on trip advisor. If you look at the hotel picture, you will see a person on the fourth floor looking at the lake. But if you arrange to get the ajoining rooms on the second floor, they lead to a LARGE private deck for those two rooms, looking out at the lake. Lovely in the late afternoon with wine and cheese. Richard www.hotelflorencebellagio.it/infoeng.htm

flygirl

Hi

What a lovely plan for your parents!

Here are some thoughts:

I've been to Lake Como three times now. Once in mid-May, once in late May into the first week of early June, and once during the second week of July.

By far, the most pleasant time was late May/early June, close second mid-May, and in far last place was mid-July. Very, very hot. It was pleasant and breezy on the ferries, and the evenings and mornings weren't too bad, but mid-day - wow. We really wanted to be out of the sun. Varenna, for instance, was utter misery in the afternoons until the sun was really on the low arc heading down. I couldn't tell you when the weather changes from "quite pleasant" in June to "whoa" in July - no idea if it is late June, for instance.

That said, one thing I found during the July stay was that the west side of the Lake was not *quite* as hot - still hot, but a little more tolerable and definitely noticeably so earlier in the afternoon/evening than on the east side. Why? Because the sun is heading west over the mountains directly behind the west side of the lake. The eastern side doesn't have the mountain directly in front of it, acting somewhat as a shield.

All that said, for a romantic three days a stay in Bellagio would be great. Varenna would also be great, and my personal favorite is Lenno on the west side of the lake - Varenna is close behind, but we keep going back to Lenno. Albergo Lenno is bang on the water with the ferry stop right in front of the hotel, and it has a pool (necessary if you are there during a really hot time). But you cannot go wrong in mid-lake.

Some bonuses for Lenno: in the summer, the Trombetta (little tram) will take you to several west-side villages between Lenno and Menaggio - of course you have the ferries, but this is another method of transport if you have no car. From Lenno you are also walking distance to Villa Balbianello, which you really have to see if you visit Lake Como. Of course you can see this from anywhere, just take the ferry to Lenno.

Bellagio also has its own summer Trombetta but I believe it mostly goes around Bellagio including the outskirts. My parents took it one day, I was hanging out by the pool at Albergo Lenno while they did so I do not know exactly where it stops. Also for Bellagio - in the town itself there are so many alleys that are shaded due to the buildings around them that at least you can walk in the shade if it's quite hot.

I started a thread last spring regarding "things to do on Lake Como" so if you click on my name and then scroll back a few pages you will bring it up. I have lots of ideas and links on that thread.

bobthenavigator

Good for you !
We celebrated our 50th in 2009 to include Bellagio for a week.
Since you only have 3 nites I would suggest Hotel Belvedere for the lovely views. If you plan to have a car then I would add Albergo Lenno or G.H. Menaggio on the west shore.

Here is my trip report, including places to eat.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-gold-trip.cfm

flygirl

One other thought for consideration:

If your plane ride onward is very early in the morning, it's not a bad idea to stay on the west side. This is because at least you won't have to deal with ferry schedules in the morning just to get to the west side of the lake for your driver to take you on to MXP. If it's not ultra early, then it's not a big deal.

lisaannmack

Thank you for all your responses! Some great tips! Bob, your restaurant selections are the same as mine when I was there & we so enjoyed the apts @ Villa Serb as well. Too bad they only rent for a wk in the summer. Still waiting to hear back from Hotel Belevdere..it's been days?? We will also check out Hotel Bellagio per Richard's recommendation. Fly girl we are going June 12-15 so it shouldn't be too hot.

HappyTrvlr

For a car service between Bellagio and Malpensa Davide Guerrera is highly recommended.Reliable and less expensive than others we contacted.
We stayed at Hotel Belvedere on our first trip to Bellagio,; it has great views of the eastern branch of the lake,parking, quiet location, nice enough rooms, but isn't a luxury property like Hotel Villa Serbelloni.

lisaannmack

Happy Trvlr...It seems like you go from Villa Serbelloni to only 3 star hotels?? Was looking for 1 step down from Villa Serbelloni??

Trisha1

Grand Hotel Villa Serbione is just that...a grand hotel with fantastic views, great dining and incredible service. It is worth every penny.

bobthenavigator

There is no 4 star in Bellagio---the Belvedere is the closest to it. Or, look at Grand Hotel Menaggio. It has seen better days, but I love the location.

MoonGirl

From your first post, you seemed set on Bellagio, but if not, then have you considered the Hotel du Lac in Varenna? http://www.albergodulac.com/home/ind...emid=5&lang=en Not a grand hotel like the Villa Serbelloni, but luxury on a more intimate scale, with views that can't be beat. Good luck!

flygirl

I know you want a luxury hotel - IE service - but, if an apartment is at all a consideration, I have heard good things about this one:

http://www.residencelalimonera.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Lombardy.html

I heard about it just before our recent trip in July and when we were wandering around Bellagio came across it. It's in a great location and I was surprised at how much land they had right smack in the middle of Bellagio. It's at the top of one of the sets of steps up the hill and right outside their gate is a small grocery/deli which I thought was useful.

Forgot to mention - Albergo Lenno is 4 stars - love that place. Below are some photos from Lenno - a few were from our balcony.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalk...gs/lenno/show/

ekscrunchy

And another benefit of Lenno is that you would have easy access to some of the best restaurants in the region, which are in the hills on the western shore of the lake. I also liked that area better than Bellagio which I found to be swarming with tourists, even in late September, when towns like Lenno and Menaggio appeared relatively tour-group-free.


Lisasnnmack: PLEASE let us know how the trip turns out; I am intrigued that you will be staying at Don Alfonso. I've not read any reports of their inn here and would love to know all details! Sounds like a fabulous trip!

qwovadis

www.bellagio.info

Hotel Florence my fav lots of character

Mark Twain stayed there your parents might like that.

Also 50 miles north of MXP easier to connect to

www.stresa.org Wonderful Isola Bella usually from

120 euro per night have AWESOME seaviews at the

Hotel Grand Dino in Baveno there...

I would try to work both in make a bit more time.

Isola Bella is a do not miss for me.

If I could only do one I would do Isola Bella

prettier more historic closer to MXP.

Private Xport also best from Naples to Positano.

Happy Journey

FoFoBT

I've had great experiences at the Hotel Florence and their lakeside restaurant is excellent. It's a romantic place.

However, given the likely June crowds, things will be a bit quieter at the Belvedere. I didn't care for the decor of the Hotel Belvedere, but its views are graet and it has a pool, which would come in handy if you hit a heat wave.

If you're willing/able to stretch your budget, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo looks terrific and another Fodorite gave it rave reviews. We hope to try it ourselves someday.
http://www.grandhoteltremezzo.com/

iris1745

We were in Bellagio in late April and had no problem finding a restaurant. However, they were busy. In June, it will be much busier and you might consider trying to make restaurant reservations, perhaps a few weeks before you leave. Richard http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...-Lombardy.html

lisaannmack

Thank you again for all your suggestions...checking into apartments and Hotel Florence. I think we will enjoy Bellagio as a base, since we will only be there for 3 nights. I know it can be full of tourists, but I enjoyed finding the local flavor when I was there in 2008! Ekscrunchy, I will definitely let you know about Don Alfonso. They have been VERY warm via emails to finally help us settle on a 3 night package with dinner and trip to the farm. No views of the sea, but we will get that in Positano. My dad picked the Marincanto..I wanted the Covo, but it's his anniversary. Faith Willinger's posts of Don Alfonso have me intrigued! It's my splurge to my parents for their 50 years of sacrifice.

JillDavis

We stayed in Hotel Florence this past July. It was a lovely hotel with great decor and character. Make sure to ask for the rooms with AC. (some of them don't) The location of Hotel Florence is fantastic and much prefer it to Hotel Belvedere. The Hotel Florence restaurant had this beautiful trellis with vines and right on the lake! Our room had hardwood floors and the decor was quite nice. I debated a long time and compared it to many hotels in Bellagio and for the price range and location, you can't beat it. I actually didn't mind the crowd. Lake Como is laid back and to have a few people sitting around the lake having cocktails gave it a lively atmosphere.

We are going back to Italy next September and will be visiting Positano and staying in Hotel Marincanto too! Are you staying in a standard double room? You will have to let me know how it goes. The hotel looks gorgeous and the views look breathtaking.

scatcat

Jill, I tried to book Hotel Florence for April, but they are closed til the 14th. I guess I'll stay at Hotel Centrale. I have stayed there before. Just a lot of steps to climb with luggage.