Given that we can only travel in the summers, where would you recommend we stay when we visit this area in July '07?

Bellagio. Some will say that they don't like staying there because it is so busy, but everybody wants to go to Bellagio, so those that don't stay there, end up going there during the day when all the other tourists are there. Those of us who stay there, end up going to other towns during the day and return in the late afternoon or evening when we have it more to ourselves.

What's your budget, what kind of hotel do you prefer (for example, how important would AC be for you) and which towns interest you? And will you have a car or are you planning to take the train/ferry. For example, if you plan to have a car and you want to stay in Bellagio, then I might suggest the Hotel Belvedere because it has parking, a pool, and is slightly removed from the hubbub of Bellagio's main streets. But then again, maybe that hotel isn't to your taste or budget...maybe you'd prefer the more luxurious Villa Serbelloni, the more removed and cheaper Hotel Silvio or the mid-priced, lakefront Hotel Florence. Or maybe you don't want to stay in Bellagio at all....a little more info, please.

Yes, more info would help. How long will you be in the area? How do you feel about touristy things, like orchestras playing under your hotel window?

Is the trip about sightseeing or having a super-relaxing vacation or hiking? Where are you coming from? Whare are you going next? Kids? No kids?

Good questions - thanks for the advice so far.
More info:
- 3-5 days in the area
- couple in our 50's, traveling w/out kids
- will have car
- would like moderate hotel (we're 3* usually) or B&B, could upgrade for view - fond of breakfast rooms
- doubt we'll be hiking but walking trails?
- would probably prefer the least touristy area but will look at all options.
- coming from Venice, heading to several days in Piedmont, this is both a vacation and sight-seeing trip.
- oh, a/c might be a good idea in mid-summer for both heat and buggy things.

again, thanks

Neopolitan makes some good points about staying in Bellagio even though it is the most popular town on the lake. When I stayed there, I found it was noticeably quieter after day trippers left and even quieter if you got away from the lakefront and the little streets with all the shops.
I really liked the ambience, location and decor of the Hotel Florence but it has neither parking nor AC and it's in one of the busiest parts of town. You sound like you'd be much happier up at the Belvedere which has both airco and parking. To truly enjoy it though, you must make sure you reserve a lakeview room. Plenty of walking around that area and the little paths down to the Pescallo area are picturesque and less busy.
http://www.belvederebellagio.com/indexin.html

Since you have a car, I wouldn't recommend Bellagio in high season, since parking is tough and because Bellagio sits at the end of a peninsua -- so if you plan day trips with your car, you first have to get off the peninsula and come back (and if there is traffic ....)

I've never stayed here, but it is on the side of the like that has the main road and rather easier access to other places. And it looks quite appealing, affordable, and has air conditioning, which you must have in July.

http://tinyurl.com/rp2wn

PS: That b&b is a 20 minute ferry ride from Bellagio, and what people sometimes forget is that the lake view disappears at night. (Although from this small hotel, apparently you can see the lights of Bellagio twinkling from the distance, and maybe the nighttime orchestra music is more fetching when faintly heard floating across the lake than right out your window.)

We were in Bellagio last August and stayed at the Hotel FLorence. We spent days traveling around the lake to different towns, late afternoons and evenings in Bellagio. Although it was hot, the breeze off the lake was more than adequate for sleeping, perfect actually. Would not do it any other way!

One more PS, which is that BTilke recommended Silvio, which is removed from the most touristy parts of Bellagio and has a highly-regarded restaurant (plus pretty view) but the problem is that it is a good 20 minute walk to the town of Bellagio -- too short to drive and hunt down a parking space but too long to enjoy the walk in the heat on a narrow strip of very busy road (especially since on the way back, it is all uphill).

IMHO, with a car, you should stay in Menaggio--look at Hotel Bellavista for a great location near the boat dock.

Bob,

Take a look at the hotel I suggested just for your own files. It's a bit up the road from Mennaggio.

socaltraveler,

I've never stayed at the Bellavista, but I agree with Bob's advice that with a car it makes sense to stay on the Mennaggio side of the lake and even Mennaggio itself if you'd like a wide variety of restaurants and a lively piazza.

We were in the Lake Como area last summer. I am so happy we stayed in Varenna which is on Lake Como. It is a very charming quiet town - it is our most remembered place in Italy. We took a day trip to Bellagio. Cetainly there we had many opportunities to shop in Venice and the rest of the cities and we enjoyed the change.We stayed at the Albergo Milano. We had a room with a great view. We are in our 50's. I do not think we used any air conditioning in June but you may want to find out if they have it. Also I had a WONDERFUL massage the managment arranged.
Here is the website.http://www.varenna.net/

I did NOT recommend the Hotel Silvio; it's not to my taste at all and I don't like the location. I said the OP *might* prefer Silvio IF it was to his taste or budget.
I *DID* however recommend the Hotel Belvedere as it ticks all the boxes on the OP's wish list, even if it is in Bellagio (but not in the center and it's probably the best choice in that town for someone with a car).

Hmmm ! Mille grazie Nessie !
I learned something new today--that makes it a good day. That does look very nice for the $$$. I actually met those people one time at that old hostal in Menaggio--it was named Primus or something like that. They run a good ship.

I still do not know who you are and it is bugging me. Send me an email--you know how to find me.

Wouldn't you rather that someday I just step out of the shadows of some medieval quarter of Italy and say ...

"So we meet again, eh, Bob?"

Btilke,

Sorry! I didn't realize you weren't recommending it.

Thanks everyone - these are the very suggestions I was looking for.
Now to do some research.

Menaggio is a good recommendation if the day trips you plan involve driving. But if leisurely ferry rides are more what you had in mind, then almost anywhere with parking would work.

The Hotel du Lac in Varenna has a beautiful breakfast room and terrace. Just a gorgeous view. The hotel has parking, but I'm sure you need to reserve a space when you reserve your room.

If you'd like to stay in the middle of Bellagio for a very reasonable rate, look at www.residencelalimonera.com. These are apartments, so no breakfast room. Parking available.

I agree with Neopolitan's comments about Bellagio day v. Bellagio night, especially as the ferries count down to the last of the day. But if you're staying elsewhere, don't miss the last ferry out!!!