Neopolitan,

We were lucky that we were staying at the DuLac and did have air conditioning for the first 2 nights. As it turned out on the third night the condensor in our room apparently quit and essentially became a fan, and yes it was uncomfortable. We also didn't have a front facing room, therefore less of a breeze which didn't help matters.

I think the problem at night was that while the temps did go down somewhat, it remained very humid. I remember walking around Bellagio looking for a place with a/c for dinner because the air was still very hot and "heavy" even at that time. And btw, some of the places that say they have air conditioning didn't actually turn it on!

However, this was an unusually hot stretch of weather (this was June 2003 -the year that many died in Italy and France from the heat). I think that normally temperatures in Bellagio would be sufficiently cool at night, but at times the lake can create a more humid heat than people realize.

The Metropole answered my email and confirmed that only the four rooms with the large terraces (the first floor of the hotel) have air-conditioning. The other rooms have fans only.

Thanks for the clarification, Maddy. Yes, I'd say you were there at a most unusual time. We were in Europe at that time, and thankfully always seemed to be where the heat wasn't (although in Koln, we did swelter with the record temperatures there -- at a hotel where they had never before had complaints of lack of air-conditioning). As I mentioned our 80 degree heat during the day in Bellagio kept turning to downright chilly at night on the lake.

Jabez, I would like to hear a bit more about La Pergola. It seems to be a little off the beaten path - which sounds very good to us...since we don't always enjoy the craziness of a touristy & crowded resort town. I know that it is a short, but pretty climb to Bellaggio, but no big deal. How is the restaurant? Is there parking right there? Where is the closest place to get a boat to do touring? THANKS!