susan

any suggestions for a romantic little hotel in the lake como area?

CJ

Depends on your budget. Villa d'Este is one of the most romantic places on earth. I believe it has a website. Even if you don't stay there, you should go there for lunch and stroll through the gardens.

erin

We stayed at Villa D'este in July. Do not waste yout money! There are nicer places. Even at breakfast one day I had to ask for coffee 4 times, I was about to get up and get it myself.

Arlene

In 2000 we stayed at a great hotel in Lake Como called the Grand Hotel Tremezzo and really enjoyed the views. We originally wanted a lake view but once we saw the gardens we opted for that! It is an old hotel but has such charm. Good luck! <BR>www.grandhoteltremezzo.com<BR>

susan

i looked at the villa d'este website and definitely plan to do as you suggest (lunch and gardens). it's out of my price range though. somewhere in the 75 to 100 euros/night range.

Joe

susan: If you do a search on Lake Como, you will find many recommendations (my own included) for the Albergo Milano at Varenna. This is a great little hotel with spectacular lake front views if you can wrangle one of the four lake front rooms. The two upper rooms have smaller balconies, but better views of the lake than the two lower rooms with larger balconies, but views that are not as expansive. At night, with the lights from Bellagio across the Lake, it is magical. It is about $120 per night (lower in off-season), so, a little more than the range you stated, but it is certainly a pleasant little hotel as you will read if you do the search I suggested. Have a great trip.

xxx

Susan,<BR><BR>I second the recommendation of having lunch at the Villa d'Este, but just be advised that the prices for lunch are commensurate with its status as a luxury hotel. Figure on about 70 Euros per person. Your hotel budget is on the modest side, so I just wanted to be sure you understood the circumstances. I loved my lunch there, so I do consider it worth the cost.

ajs

I have seen mixed reviews here, but my wife and I stayed at Villa Cipressi in Varenna, and it was fine. An old villa up on a bluff with wonderful gardens and breakfast in a lovely old courtyard with a fountain. The room was big, with a huge window open to a westward view across the lake. $90 a night, two years ago. Consider it.