I am exploring modestly priced hotel options for Bellagio and came across two on Trip Advisor that seem fine. Anyone have experience with either of these or have other recommendations? We will not have a car -- will be traveling via train from Milan to Varenna, then taking the ferry across to Bellagio. This will be in early July. Suggested hotels in Varenna were booked already.
Hotel II Perlo Panorama
Hotel Silvio
Il Perlo is outside of town, up on a hill. Il Silvio is closer to town, but not on it, and we took a taxi to dinner there. I have been to Bellagio many times and would not stay at either of them. Silvio’s restaurant is excellent however. You would need a car for both of them and then finding parking in town is very difficult.
Check out Hotel Belvedere, which is at the top of town and has parking, a rarity in Bellagio. Hotel Florence is on the lakefront and is away from the crowded areas. Residence La Limonera is at the top of the town.
Suki, thanks for the reply on hotels. We will not have a car so parking is not an issue. Will check out the place you mentioned. But just curious as to why you would not stay at either Hotel Silvio or Hotel II Perlo Panorama. Location or hotel condition?
Because they are outside of town. You would be isolated. Stay in town center.
And as I mentioned, you would need a car and said you stated that you don’t want to do that. Bellagio is the only place in Europe, other than large cities, where we have stayed without renting a car. The ferries take you all over the lake. But we could walk down to the ferry dock, you couldn’t do that from the hotels you listed. Same for the restaurants at night, we walked to all of them easily.
We LOVED Borgo Le Terrazze. They look over Bellagio and while you can walk into town in 10-15 minutes, they also have a shuttle every hour to and from the property. They can pick you up from the ferry. It’s worth the views and the hotel to be there!
http://www.borgoleterrazze.com
Does it have to be a hotel? We're headed back there later this year and, like last time, we will rent a private apartment, this time through AirBnB (we used Homeaway last time).
A car is useless in Bellagio. It is quite compact, and besides, tourists cannot take their cars into the old quarter, which is where I would stay. The only issue you will have self catering in Bellagio is obtaining groceries without a car. There is a very small convenience store in the old quarter, but to reach either of the two larger stores, you need transport or to use the bus. If you can't get around this, a hotel is your only choice but all the good hotels in town are fairly expensive.
As much as I love Bellagio and prefer it to Varenna though, I wonder why you're going to stay there. It is a very short ferry ride from Varenna so, if you've already decided to stay there, why not just extend your Varenna accommodation and make day trips to Bellagio?
Thanks all for replying to my post. My preference was to stay in Varenna, but every hotel I pulled up on Trip Advisor (or looked up from a travel guide) was booked or too expensive. This must be a very popular time to be at the Lakes or Rick Steve's mention of Varenna has made it a top choice.! There is space at Hotel Il Portichetto (outside Varenna) but reviews mentioned a long steep walk down to Varenna. So we decided to look at Bellagio instead as it's bigger. For now we have a refundable cancellation at Hotel Bellagio which is very near the ferry dock. But will keep looking around at both Varenna & Bellagio in case anything else opens up.
We stayed at Hotel Suisse, which is more a B&B than a hotel. It is basic and quirky, located over their restaurant, which is where breakfast is served. The location is great, and so are the views if you get a lake view room. Much cheaper than other other fancier places in Bellagio. The location is fabulous, right across from the dock, so easy walking access to everything on the lake. Check it out on Trip Advisor.
If it was the hotel du Lac in Varenna that was too expensive, could you shift your priorities about food and lodging for that part of your journey to make it possible? It's truly lovely...and air-conditioned, which the Albergo di Milano is not, much as we loved it.
Although I'm sure Rick has changed Varenna, I'd prefer to stay there, so very quiet. Don't miss the wonderful gardens in and around Bellagio
Buon viaggio!
Maybe try air bnb if no hotels take your fancy, it would be worth the extra to stay in the centre when booking a hotel, any money saved staying outside is soon spent on taxis and what not
I am traveling to the Lake Como area in April for 3 nights with my 2 daughters, ages 20 and 18. We are planning on staying at the Hotel Metropole Bellagio. Has anyone stayed in this hotel and would you recommend it? The Hotel Belvedere had no rooms. But I think the Hotel Du Lac has rooms available. Which hotel would be a better choice?
