Can anyone recommend a nice hotel in Varenna (Lake Como) and also in the Dolomites? Will be there late August/early September before Labor Day and a little worried that everything will be booked.

We just returned from the Dolomites and Lake Como. In Ortisei we stayed a Garni Villa Park and loved it! It was darling, as was the town. The view was beautiful. At Lake Como we stayed in Bellagio but visited Varenna. We very much preferred Bellagio to Varenna. We stayed in an apartment that we loved in Bellagio, La Limonera. Have a great trip.

Are you driving? In Varenna look at Du Lac, but I agree an apt. in Bellagio also makes sense. It is not easy to get to Val Gardena without a car, but you can bus from Bolzano. We will be in both destinations this fall---a week in Bellgio.

Yes we are driving - thanks to you both!

Lokk also at Hotel Grones in Ortisei--we picked it for Sep.

There are so many nice hotels in the Dolomites you are spoiled for choice.

You might narrow your request a bit---do you want a place with pool and/or spa? Or more of a simploer, budget-friendly place? Close to hiking trails or center of a town? Shops and restaurants within walking distance, or more remote? Views? Any idea which valley or area you might like?

We love the Alpe di Siusi (views and hiking) but many find it isolated. We also love Val Badia (Colfosco)_ and others here prefer Val Gardena.

Too many choices. . .

I'll just say that the drive from Val Gardena to Lake Como was navigated by my son and it took us about 7 hours!! We had never driven there before and our GPS went kaflooie, so we relied on our son telling his dad where to go using a map. We ended up climbing up a 9,000 foot mountian (Passo Stelvio) which freaked me out completely, but turned out to be our grown kids favorite part of the trip. So get good directions because somehow I think it shouldn't have taken 7 hours!!!

We spent 3 nights at Hotel Du Lac in Varenna and we loved it. Really friendly people running it, a quiet location with stunning views of the lake and a delicious breakfast buffet every morning. We had great meals in Varenna, an interesting hike up to the castle above the town and you can get on the ferry and visit all the other towns on the lake. I preferred it to Bellagio, but I know everyone has different tastes.

Well, 7 hours is about 3 hours too long, but we plan to take 5 days to do the same trip in Sep. with stops in the Engadine and on Lago Lugano.

du Lac in Varenna. The hotel has a parking lot.

http://www.albergodulac.com/home/index.php?lang=en

Another great hotel in Ortisei is the Uhrerhof Deur http://www.uhrerhof.com/index-en.htm

It is probably one of the most charming places we have ever stayed with an incredible view. If you use Google Earth the coordinates for the hotel are:
Lat 46°34'1.06"N
Long 11°38'16.77"E

The drive is rather precarious but I find those fun.

Check out their review at TripAdvisor

Hi Dgodkin - You're spoilt for choice in the Dolomites. What are you looking for? How much do you want to spend?

I always stay in Garni Villa Park in Val Gardena - an attractive B&B in the centre of Ortisei
http://www.hotelvillapark.com/

Hi Rb - Glad you liked Villa Park - my regular base in Ortisei for several years.

I'm already planning my next trip ...

Steve

We stayed at www.hoferlukas.com/appartmentsara which was a very nice apartment with parking. Dolomites is a very beautiful area. Have a nice trip!

Steve - we loved Villa Park. We were on the top floor and when we walked in and went out onto the balcony - wow! We had never been to that part of the world or even Switzerland (our son has) we were thrilled. Soooo charming. Thanks again. I always listen to your advice because you tell everyone to stay in Positano and so do I!!!!! Hahaha

Thanks everyone. I booked at the Uhrerhof and will let you know how it goes!