Hotel Reviews: Rome, Venice, Florence and Varenna.

Interesting that you don't recommend Hotel Olivedo in Varenna. We too had a negative experience with them. We didn't stay there, but we did have dinner there. The service was terrible. I think all the other diners were staying at the hotel, and they got better service. They brought us salads we did not order and when we got the bill, it was quite high. Easily the most expensive dinner on our trip. I had a pasta dish, my husband had fish. No wine. no dessert. There was a basket with some bread on the table when we were seated. We never touched it. The 'bill' was literally a small scrap of paper with a number on it. Nothing was itemized. We politely inquired about the high total. They charged us for the salads we didn't order and the bread we didn't ask for and didn't eat. Who knows what else they charged is for. To add insult to injury, the food was mediocre. We certainly won't return there!

We stayed in Locanda Orseolo in 2012 and it was amazing!! It is exactly what we wanted in a Venitian inn-charming, old world, cozy, friendly and attentive staff, rich decor, tasty breakfast, access to canal, close to Piazza San Marco. I've also sent friends there in 2013 and it was their favorite place to stay in all of Europe!

For Varenna I highly recommend the Eremo Gaudio...best views over the lake and very nice place to stay. It is about a 10 min walk outside of Varenna but well worth it (builds up your appetite). Staff was great and rooms were clean and comfortable.
http://www.eremogaudio.it/inglese.htm

I will defend Laura at the Hotel Olivedo in Varenna,we have stayed in the Villa on two different occasions and had good dinners in the restaurant.The villa has excellent views of the lake and ferries coming and going from the rooms or terrace and the rooms are clean and roomy.Laura even made my reservation at the Hotel Wolf in Castelrotto due to the language barrier.Varennas ferry dock gives access to Bellagio,Mannagio and Como,great location on the Lake.
Mike

I, too, would defend Hotel Olivedo in Varenna. I have stayed at the lovely hotel once (on a Rick Steves tour) and several years later, had lunch there with five traveling companions while on an independent vacation. Laura was very gracious, food was excellent, and when I mentioned that I had stayed at the hotel previously, she asked when, which tour, etc. She seemed genuinely interested.