We're trying find reasonable family accommodations in Lake Como. Can't decide where Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna. We will be using public transportation so the location can't be too remote. Does anyone have suggestions?

We stayed in Varenna many many moons ago (2001) but it was lovely and peaceful. Bellagio is very pretty, too - let's say the residents are better heeled than Varenna.

In Varenna, we stayed at the Hotel Oliveda and the staff was wonderful. The accomodations (back then) were charming and the meals (which were required with the room in summer) were very good. This was a great "budget" option for us.

I just topped my trip report from last year that includes Lake Como for a friend to read. It might help you.

Johanna

Would you be interested in an apartment? Look at www.residencelalimonera.com in the middle of Bellagio.

Look at Antico Pozzo apts. in Bellgio---good prices.

I support the suggestion for La Limonera in Bellagio. Stayed there last year and loved it. Had 3 people in group but I feel sure they would have bigger apartments than ours. If you go, take a look at view from rooftop terrace. Sort of side-on view but lovely. Management helpful and available but not intrusive in the least. There are attractive big wrought iron gates onto the street and there were always passers by looking impressed with the gardens and house. There is an excellent Alimentari just outside the gates and a casual restaurant (you can sit outside or inside) on the other side where amongst other things you can get excellent thin crust pizzas and even take them away. We expected Bellagio to be overrun with tourists and day visitors but didn't find it so and we were there very beginning of September.

In February 2007 I stayed at the Hotel Plinius in central Como - it was an easy walk to the lake and all the train, funicular connections - i thought it was good value - try booking.com too. Enjoy!

For family accomodations an apartment is really good to have.
Residence La Limonera is popular with Fodorites and is in a great location. If this is for this summer, please be aware that availabilities get scarce quickly on Lake Como (so book ASAP).

All three towns will work. This is based on the ease of moving around the lake by boat. Here is a one sentence description of each:
Varenna is a small town with a fishing village feel. only a few dozen people outside at night.
Bellagio is considered a very pretty town. There are lake-front bars, lots of shopping, eating and hotel choices. Lots of tourists.
Menaggio is a nice middle of the road. Tourism is important but tourism is not the only thing going on.
Bellagio and Menaggio probably have nicer lake-front promenades than Varenna.

In Varenna, the Albergo Olivedo Hotel is good. We stayed there twice sometimes dinner is mandatory. They have a residence-like annex as well.
We have not stayed there but the Garni Carona Hotel on the Mennagio square looks to be a budget friendly hotel.

For the last week in June (2009), we have an apartment about a half-mile up the lake from Menaggio. We are doing without a rental car as well. It's euro60 per night for a two bedroom. I'll report when we return (July 10th). Also, the Commune Menaggio website has an extensive list of both hotels and tourist apartments.

Great suggestions, Thank you. I am late on booking as some of your suggestions are no longer available. But I'm not giving up yet.

We prefer Varenna to Bellagio--wonderful pasarella and garden, Bellagio and more gardens across the lake with a short boatride. There is a good Michelin rated restaurant--la Vecchia Varenna. We have stayed at the Albergo Milano and been happy there, but there is no air conditioning. An airconditioned hotel that friends stayed in and loved is called Hotel du Lac.

Three years ago we stayed at the Hotel du Lac in Varenna. We had a lovely room with a huge private patio directly on the lake. I enjoyed the peace and quiet of Varenna, yet it was easy to get a ferry to other towns/villages, especially Bellagio just across the lake. Also, the train stops in Varenna. I'm not sure what they have in the way of family accommodations.

Four years ago nearly, we stayed at the Hotel du Lac in Varenna and really loved it. Super views, lovely rooms and great location. Accessible by train as well as ferry. It will depend on your budget and the remaining availability for your final decision. Good luck, it is a great spot. I second the Vecchia Varenna we had a beautiful meal there as well as at Il Cavatapi - tiny restaurant, you will need to book as soon as you get there if not beforehand.

Schanuzer

The towns of Lenno, Tremezzo, and Bellano are in the mid-lake area and have frequent enough boat service so that you won't feel stuck.

How big is the family and how young are they?

Varenna is beautiful, small, convenient (you can take a taxi from the train station to any hotel and walk everywhere once in town). I like the Hotel Villa Cipressi, which has beautiful gardens, but the other hotels mentioned above are wonderful too. There are very good restaurants in Varenna and you can walk to the ferry to visit Bellagio or Menaggio (both are short ferry rides away). Much less hustle and bustle in Varenna--my top choice on Lake Como.

Artsygirl,

What price range is resonable for your family?

There are 2 adults and 2 teens in our family. Our price range is no more than $200 a night. Apparently not much around the lakes.
Has anyone stayed at Albergo Loveno? Not much on the web about it...??

I would take a look at the locations mentioned by Big Red.

One idea:


http://www.villastupenda.it/eng/index.htm

Another: La Darsena in Tremezzo.

Or did you mean two rooms for a total of $200?

For Albergo Loveno and walking there, make sure that you understand how high above the lake it is. The residents on Lake Como sometimes trivialize their height above the lake.

Here is a link to the agent for our rental apartment:
http://www.como-rentals.it/holiday%20apartments.htm - these apartments are outside of Menaggio. Nobiallo is at least a half mile up the lake from Menaggio. Again, we have not been yet, so we have not seen the apartments.

I would get a list of possible hotels together quickly. Get up early tomorrow or the next day and make a few calls to see what's available. You might end up in a one star hotel. We have done it but the bath is down the hall, don't know about air conditioning.

If you are really good with meeting schedules, then you might consider the towns of Argegno (mid-way between Como and Menaggio) and Gravedona or Domaso (almost the northern end on the western side). These are nice towns but they only have about six boats each way per day (6 going north, 6 going south, twelve boats total).

Cernobbio would also be a good base, in my opinion. We liked this town a lot. I have no idea of the ferry schedules but it is easy enough to check.