best place to stay at Lake Como?

kathy,

The small town of Varenna on the eastern shore of Lago di Como in the mid lake area is a big favourite with many here. It's a smaller town, easily walkable and has some nice hotels and restaurants. It's about an hour by train from Milano Centrale, so not hard to get to. From there you can use the Ferries to visit Bellagio or other locations around the lake.

I haven't checked the current hotel situation but in the past two favourites were the Hotel Royal Victoria or Albergo Milano. You could also look at Albergo Olivedo, which is located right at the ferry dock. It's an older hotel but I found it clean and comfortable. I don't know what the post-Covid situation is in that area? Have a look at the RS guidebook for other options.

Hotel du Lac in Varenna is awesome. Get a 3rd floor room with a view of the water.

Agree with Varenna recommendations! You can take the train from Milan. From Varenna you can ferry across the lake to Menaggio and Bellagio if you want. We enjoyed our stay at the Hotel Royal Victoria but it's been 10 years since we visited.

We are in our early 80s and taking trains and want to walk minimally.

Kathy, a little more info about this? I'm guessing that a fair amount Varenna's accommodations may not have elevators; not unusual in Italy. If stairs, sometimes multiple flights of them, would be a challenge for you, you'd either want an accommodation with fewer rather than more of those, or a room, if available, on the entry level floor.

You may also want to take a taxi between hotel and Varenna Esino station, even if the distance looks to be somewhat short. We day-tripped Varenna + Bellagio with another couple 'round about your age, and who had some minor mobility limitations. I recall it being a pretty good uphill walk to the station - even without luggage - that they had to take slowly. It's a lovely little village, though!

Varenna--Royal Victoria Hotel--splurge for a lakefront room on a high floor.

Taxis are available at the train station. I suggest taking one.

There is a little walk to the ferry but that can't be avoided.

A lot of recommendations for Varenna , but one of the things I remember about Varenna was all the stairs. Maybe not the best location for someone in their 80s who don't want to walk much at all.