We have four possibilties for accomodations in Lake Como area. The first is the Bellavista in Menaggio, the 2nd is the Hotel Silvio in Bellagio, the third is Hotel Olivedo in Varenna and the fourth is the Il Perlo Panorama Hotel ( I believe in Bellagio). Any advise for my family of five (2 adults, 3 girls that are 15, 12, 7) would be appreciated. The only one with a pool is the Bellavista but I have read mixed things about staying in Menaggio. The Oliveda comes with dinner so has anyone stayed there and had their food? Thanks for any help you can offer. Sandy

The question is more about location and access than the hotels. The Olivedo has good food and is right at the dock in Varenna, but it is on the east side of the Lake--did you not have a plane to catch? The Bellavista is not fancy but has a great location and is on the west side of the Lake. The Il Perlo is well south of town and somewhat isolated. I would decide where you want to be located--that is the question.

My wife and I stayed at Hotel Silvio a year ago and enjoyed it. Our room opened onto the lake view and their restaurant has a large local following. The proprietor catches the evening's fish daily.

We will have a car and I don't know if that makes a difference. I think we may want to spend the last night in Milan anyway so the kids don't have to get up so early, so is there a place that is a better location or a much nicer hotel? Bob, are you suggesting Menaggio due to it's proximity to Malpensa airport? I actually must have misunderstood something I read because I thought that Varenna was closer to Milan. So...I just want a nice place to stay to end our two weeks in Italy. sandy

Mennagio is closer to Malpensa, which is 30 miles west of Milan. I see little difference in the Bellavista versus the Olivedo as hotels--the difference is the towns. Varenna may be more charming. But, you can be to Malpensa in an hour if you start early from Mennagio. Both hotels are right at the boat docks--a big plus.

We spent a few nights in Bellagio last summer and had dinner at Silvio, having seen it on the internet and hoping it would be a great place to stay in the future. Our meal was WONDERFUL, but I personally wouldn't enjoy staying there, unless it was only for a night. You CANNOT walk into town, and driving and parking is very difficult there. To me much of the charm of Bellagio is walking around the waterfront in the town itself at night, stopping in cafes, etc. If you are looking for a remote and quiet place rather than visiting Bellagio, it might be fine, however.

By "CANNOT walk" into town from Silvio, I mean that we were strongly advised against it by our hotel and I saw why. You must walk along a very busy road including one area which has absolutely no sidewalk or even shoulder to walk on -- through a sort of viaduct with cars whipping by in both directions. I couldn't imagine walking through there, especially at night -- and I'm even a bungey jumper!

Thank you for your reponses. I think (even though we will have a car) that the Silvio does not sound right for us. We will have three kids with us and I would like them to have some freedom too. I think we are deciding between the Bellavista in Mennagio and the Olivedo in varenna. Bob, how far is it to Malpensa from Varenna (you said it is about an hour from Menaggio). It seems that unless we stay right next to the airport, we will still have a 30 minutes ride to the airport the next morning so maybe we would be best staying another night in Lake Como area. Sandy

I have never driven from Varenna, but I have to believe at least 1:30 to Malpensa. You have to drive thru lecco and all the way around the north end of Milan--I would not want to chance it. If you leave Mennagio 3 hours before takeoff time you should be OK, even with car return. Why check into another hotel to save an hour of driving.

Thanks Bob. I think we will stay there and I'm sure we will be quite happy. Three hours sounds doable. Thank you for all your wonderful help!!!! Sandy