We're looking for a small, quaint hotel on <BR>the Bellagio side of Lake Como in September. <BR>Any suggestions?

It was a couple of years ago, we stayed at the Hotel du Lac, in Bellagio. It was not our first choice, and we got the last room. Kind of small. But it was clean and the proprietors were very friendly and accomodating. It was right on the shore of the lake. Next door is a little ristorante "Suisse", where we had our very first Italian meal, after landing at Milan, and driving up to Bellagio. It rained that day and the next morning the mountains around the lake were dusted with snow. It was absolutely gorgeous. I can't rate the hotels in and around Bellagio, but our stay there was one of the highlights of 3 weeks in Italy.

We also stayed at the Hotel Du lac. We liked it very much especially the dining room with a balcony overlooking the lake. You may get a table out there if you ask Bruno the head waiter. He looks a lugubrious kind of chap but is very pleasant. There is another hotel nearby( a few yards) called the Metropole with rooms right on the lake. It is about the same standard as the Du Lac but as I have not stayed there I can not really say anything more. You also could consider Varenna, another little town on the Bellagio side of the lake. One advantage of Varenna is that there is a railway station there with trains into Milan or into the mountains. There is a hotel there called <BR>Royal Victoria which is right on the lake. The Cadogan guide recommends this hotel. You are right to stay on the Bellagio side of the lake. The Tremezzo, Menaggio side has a busy main road in front of the hotels and is very noisy. You will have a wonderful time on Lake Como. It is just so restful and there are plenty of places to explore. We never have a car as the ferries take you everywhere.You can also take a bus to Lugano from Menaggio.

We were there for a weekend last month and stayed at the Belvedere (lots of info on this hotel on the forum if you do a search). This hotel a ten minute walk from the main port area, which, personally, I prefered. The Metropole, du Lac, etc. are in the "main" area which I think has less charm and peace and quiet.

We were there for a weekend last month and stayed at the Belvedere (lots of info on this hotel on the forum if you do a search). This hotel a ten minute walk from the main port area, which, personally, I prefered. The Metropole, du Lac, etc. are in the "main" area which I think has less charm and peace and quiet.

I stayed at the Metropole in Sept 1998 and was happy with my choice. I did pick this hotel to suit my budget requirements but was really pleased with what I found. My room was decent sized and I had requested a lake front room with balcony which was granted. The room was clean and more functional vs. comfy. The breakfast was one of the best I've had in Italy! <BR>Ellen

Last October we stayed at the Metropole and loved it. The people were friendly, food good, a few steps from the boat, AND the front balcony rooms are actually over the water. Making resevations was a little difficult for when I called them from United STates they could not give me a reservation until 2 weeks before arrival time, due to a contract with a reservation company. I therefore gave up, however called the day before from Como and was able to get a lovely room (end of Oct). The Du Lac is a few doors down, and again right on the main street,(but not directly over the water), a few steps from the boat arrival. It is comparable and also lovely I understand. <BR>The Belevedere is UP UP UP a steep hill, but also very nice I understand. It is plenty quiet down by the lake at the previous two mentioned hotels.

I'm really happy to hear feedback on the hotels on the lake. I've heard some wonderful things about the Hotel Belvedere and it sounds lovely but I was very curious about the hotels right in town lakeside. I am planning a trip there next May with my mother and wanted a hotel that wouldn't require us to take a cab or walk up hill. The Hotel du Lac and the Metropole sound like nice choices.

Has anyone stayed at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni?

Well... <BR>Took the train from Lucerne to Lake Como... <BR>My boyfriend (at the time...)discovered he'd left his passport and money behind on the train, they were having some huge celebrations (oh, duh, that's what those beautiful fireworks over the water were for!!! I was so excited thinking about this great adventure-to-happen)...and all but the 900.00USD room were available... <BR>Soooooooooo...all I can recommend is, the outside, on the platform, of the Lake Como railway sta. is more desirable than that little park on some little street where the drunks were congregating...(all I know was it was really cold and I got immune to the urine smells...oh yea...and no money no dinner no breakfast...) (The service was pretty lame...) Things improved slightly when our train arrived at 6am! (back to Lucerne w/out his railpass or passport...) <BR>Good part is 2 days later, the custodian on the train turned his bag in w/ absolutely nothing missing!!! <BR>I hope this post is not helpful to you! <BR>Maybe one day I'll see Lake Como the "right" way!

We stayed at the Hotel Florence in Bellagio. Lakefront, directly across the street from the ferry landing, and next door to the Serbelloni. Small and family run for decades. Second floor rooms have balconies overlooking the lake. Great Bar.

The Belvedere has a great view of the lake. We had a room on the second floor with a large balcony that overlooked the lake. Very nice place. Very quiet. The walk to town is also very easy. Slightly uphill walking from town, but not too bad as I remember. We could walk to town faster than we could drive. The cab ride would be about $1.00 if there are cabs.

We stayed at the Villa Grand Serbelonni (sp?) a few years ago and loved it. Beautiful grounds and hotel. I don't recommend the restaurant for dinner, however--too pretentious and not all the good. For some reason I still can't fathom, we got upgraded to a "junior suite" facing the lake. The bathroom alone had three or four rooms (the toilet, the shower, the tub, etc.) Yes it was expensive (don't remember the price), but it was well worth it. <BR> <BR>If you have time, there is a Rockefeller Foundation (I think that's who owns it) garden located directly behind the hotel (not connected with the hotel). The garden is open for visits I beleive on only certain days and only at certain times. You walk up a hill to the top which is where the garden and complex is located (the foundation operates a "retreat" for artists, scientists, poets, etc.) A guide leads you on the tour. At the top, there is a stunning view of lake Como, Bellagio, and the fishing village on the other side (can't remember name). The garden is quite nice. Most visitors to Bellagio miss this, but I recommend it heartily!

Stayed lakeside at Hotel Florence. Would recommend it--it's a clean, reasonably priced, nicely-furnished, older hotel. Great location; second story balconies. Nice restaurant; great bar. Enjoy Bellagio!