rex

<<Sometimes I think that those who stay elsewhere on the lake, only visit Bellagio during the busy daytime with all the other "daytrippers" so when they report back how crowded Bellagio is, that's because they weren't staying there, but joining the other tourists at its busiest times.>>

This would mirror my own experience.

suki_7

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will definitely have a look at Hotel Florence in Bellagio. As I have never been to Lake Como I have absolutely no expectations and so I don't have to stay in Varenna. My travel agent recommended Hotel Victoria in Varenna, but I don't have to take her advice, I always prefer to do my own research. I learn more from these sites than I do talking to travel agents.

jabez

Not sure of your dates,but my daughter and son-in-law have had a hard time getting any rooms for their Sept. trip there. Better start making your contacts.
IMHO staying in Bellagio is the best option. There's sometimes entertainment at night at one of the restaurants on the water and it seems to have the best ferry schedule.

Jean

Suki_7, I can't say which town is "better." They're just different, and everyone has their preference based on different criteria.

Bellagio, though I love it dearly, is clearly more "touristy" than Varenna. But that's its reason for being. It has been a tourist destination for well more than 100 years and will be so for many, many more. I love the stairway "streets" and even the shopping (which is not a favored pasttime when I travel). The people I know there are very friendly and welcoming. They know why people visit and how dependent they are on us tourists. The Hotel Florence is family-run and feels like it. They are invested in your having a good time and perhaps returning or recommending the hotel to friends. The hotel is a short, level walk to the ferry dock along the main road which follows the shoreline.

Even though Bellagio is larger than Varenna, it still retains a small-town feel. One of my favorite memories of Bellagio is from a couple of years ago when we noticed one morning that all the shops were closed. It turned out that the daughter of one shop-keeper was marrying the son of another shop-keeper and most of the residents were at the wedding in the church. I loved how attending this wedding was more important than opening the shops on time. All were back to business by noon.

Varenna began as a fishing village and has retained its other-purpose feeling even as fishing as declined in importance to the local economy. It has even more of a small-town atmosphere (to me), and it seems the townspeople support each other well through restaurant recommendations and the like. The town has a very good tourist info office which can provide you with a good map with lots of helpful info and advice about attractions and activities in the Varenna area. The Hotel du Lac feels more "company owned" which is not a negative, just an impression. The hotel is smaller and "clings" to the hillside the way I picture Italian hotels along water. The du Lac is a bit farther from the ferry dock than the Florence in Bellagio is to that dock. There is a road from the dock area or an enchanting pedestrian walkway immediately adjacent to (and sometimes over) the water. If your mother has difficulty walking moderate distances or on uneven surfaces, this walkway would be difficult.

If you decide to stay in Bellagio, do plan some time in Varenna. It's worth a visit.

igk

Another vote for Hotel Villa Cipressi in Varenna. Belaggio is nice, Menaggio is nice, but Varenna ... special. Quiet, removed from the crowds, has a decent restaurant, gorgeous views. Buy some food at the local shops and have a picnic on the grounds.

JJBhoy

Lots of good advice already but as accommodation may be at a premium I would also like to give a recommendation for the Hotel Metropole in Bellagio. Possibly not quite up to the standards of the Florence or Belvedere but if you can get one of the first floor rooms with it's own private terrace right on the lakeshore (we were in Room 110) you won't regret it.

On the matter of which town to choose I am one of those who favours Bellagio but I hope that Intrepid1 will forgive me for stealing this quote from one of his previous postings on this dilemma which I think sums up the situation pefectly;

"I realize this can be a hard decision if only because you have never BEEN there. I wish I could offer more but I'll leave it at this...GO there no matter what and after you do be sure to explore all three towns. You will not regret it."

Jim

suki_7

I think I will stay in Bellagio. I never knew how busy September could be. I thought August would be peak time because everyone goes to the beach for summer. I guess the fact that it is a bit cooler in September and all the factories reopen would be a good reason to choose that month.

suki_7

Just in case anyone was interested, I booked Hotel Florence in Bellagio. Thanks everyone for your helpful tips. Much appreciated.

BTilke

Enjoy your trip! I stayed at the Florence in Bellagio last May and was delighted--at the end of September my husband and I will be going back for 4 nights (along with our cocker spaniel). If possible, try to fit in a meal at the Florence's outdoor restaurant on a small terrace directly overlooking the lake. Their food is excellent--my meal there was better than at the much-praised Bilacus.
You probably learned this when you made your reservation, but the hotel offers an 8% discount for paying in cash.

suki_7

Hi BT. I will definitely make sure I have a meal at their restaurant. The hotel did mention the 8% discount. Are you taking your dog from the US? I wish I could take my king charles cavi, but I think it would be an impossibility from Australia.

BTilke

No, we're just driving over from the UK (auto train under the Channel) then from there up to Brussels for a few nights, then down to Austrian Alps for a week at the Royal Trofana (www.trofana.at), then to Bellagio, then back up through the countryside outside Salzburg, then through Germany and Brussels and finally back to the UK--roughly a month total.
Where else will you be visiting on this trip?

Doble_Vergasser

We're gald that you got the preferred hotel (bookings on Lake Como get quite tight for the peak months). Hope that you enjoy your trip and particularly Lake Como. (Hint: Take a few extra rolls of film. Unbelievable)

chicagolori

I am finding these posts very helpful as my husband and 12 year old stepson will be spending 2 days in Lake Como next June. It will be the last two days of a larger trip to Salzburg, Venice, and Cinque Terre. I have looked at Hotel Belevedere and Grand Hotel Mennagio since they both have pools. That is important with a 12 year old. I have a few questions:

Does anyone know if there are pulbic beaches in Bellagio or Menaggio? Or do any of the hotels in either of these towns have a private beach? NO matter where we stay, I imagine we will tour the main three towns on the Lake but also want somewhere to just hang out and keep the kid entertained.

Thanks

suki_7

BTilke, we are also going to Milan and Paris for jewellery trade fairs, Florence, Lucca, Rome and Positano (and maybe Sicily). I haven't been to Italy for 7 years and can't wait to get back there. I have to organise so much accommodation though.

BTilke

Can you recommend a nice, moderately priced jewelry shop in central Milan? I don't know if the budget would stretch that far, but if it does, I would like to get a new gold necklace (I just gave away my old one to cheer up a niece who was going through a bad patch of being bullied at school). No top of the line designer shops.

suki_7

BTilke, I actually haven't been to Milan for many years so I'm not familiar with the shops there. I will ask my friend who lives in Milan. She has a good jeweller there that made here wedding band. It's really nice, I was going to go and visit this jeweller myself. Unfortunately our business doesn't deal with gold, we use mainly swarovski crystal and semi precious stones.