Milan-Parma-Lake Como
 

6 of us will be traveling to Milan-Parma-Lake Como in October. We are arriving on Sat in Milan spending 1 night and heading to Parma to cooking school in Parma then 5 days later leaving and going to Lake Como for 2 nights. Has anyone stayed at the Hilton or Holiday Inn in Milan? We have many points with those hotels and thought we could use them in Milan. Then what recommendations do you have to stay in Lake Como? We are looking for a 'nice' hotel that won't break the bank. Any restaurant recommendation for Milan and Lake Como?THANKS in advance for your help!

What hotel rate on Lake Como would be "nice"? Where on Lake Como?

Around $200 or less...don't know where - any suggestions?

Most people prefer the mid-lake area of Menaggio/Bellagio/Varenna, particularly for a short stay.

I can recommend the Hotel Florence in Bellagio and the Hotel du Lac in Varenna. If you'd like apartments, try www.residencelalimonera.com which is in the middle of Bellagio.

My favorite restaurant in Bellagio is Bilacus. Other posters have recently given positive reviews of other restaurants in Bellagio and Varenna. Type "Bellagio" and "Varenna" in the search box to find these threads.

If you're planning your 2 nights on Lake Como after the second weekend of October, you may have fewer hotel choices as things begin to close for the end of the season. All three towns are "open" year-round, but not all hotels and restaurants stay open all four seasons. The decision of the date to close is sometimes not made until September, and the hotels tend to the follow the lead of the Grand Hotel Serbelloni in Bellagio. If you make a reservation now, and the hotel decides to close before your arrival, they will offer to re-book you at one of the hotels that will remain open or you can check around and re-book yourself. Either way, you won't be left high and dry. Residence La Limonera stays open all year.

IMO, the end-of-season time is a great time on the lake. Greatly reduced tourist numbers and generally good-to-great weather.

For Lake Como, go for Albergo Milano in Varenna, a quaint small town. someone else recommended these three hotels in Bellagio, Hotel Belvedere, Hotel Metropole, Hotel Du Lac.

THANK YOU Jean and Schuba! I appreciate you taking the time to help us out! Any other suggestions you have is most appreciated!