Fodors Friends: We are leaving Malpensa on a 7:15 am flight on AF to Paris. Needless to say, we need to be almost on the runway to catch this flight. I looked into Villa Malpensa and Jet Hotel and the prices are coming in at around 190 Euros per night. Where else can we go? Has anyone stayed at the Hotel First? It's prices are a tab more reasonable. There are very limited choices here. Thanks for any and all feedback.

Judy: I have stayed at the Villa Malpensa and you can't get more convenient than that, besides it is a very nice hotel. I guess you have to weigh price and convenience. For me it would be convenience. Shar

Thanks Shar, I looked at their web site and can't book it on the net. How did you make reservations? Did you eat there at night? Thanks again for the feedback!

Judy, do a search using "malpensa and hotels" in the text search box at the top of the page. Highlight Italy in the box to the right and then hit "find." There are several choices for lodging around Malpensa. One hotel is the <BR>Cervo (at least I think that's the name). Simple, inexpensive with good reviews.

The search above brings up over 150 posts. Here's what one poster said about the Cervo.<BR><BR>Message: Clean, inexpensive with a shuttle...not in the most charming area...but fits the bill...<BR><BR> Hotel Cervo <BR> Via F.De Pinedo,1-21019 <BR> Somma lombardo (VA)<BR> +39 033123 0821<BR> Fax +39 0331.230156<BR> EMAIL [email protected]<BR>

I believe we E mailed them. There business card indicates the e mail is<BR>[email protected] or I might have faxed them at 39 0331 230 950. There business card also indicates their website www.malpensa.it/villa.htm<BR><BR>Shar

Sorry forgot to tell you that we did eat their and it was very expensive. There is a funky little "town" hate to call it a town a few blocks for the hotel that has pizza place, etc. The hotel has a very interesting history as the originaly owners the Caproni's were friends of Mussolini. In fact their bar has the original iron works and "stand up" bar area from the old Milan train station courtesy of Mussolini. Hope this helps

I have had early flights from Malpensa, but I alway stay at Lake Maggiore the night before. It takes just a few minutes to reach the airport (assuming you have a car), and it's quite a bit nicer than staying by the airport. Well worth it if you have a car.