Has anyone stayed in Fiumelatte near Varenna? First time Lake Como visitor's here....

I suppose it depends on how long you will be there and what you hope to do while on Lake Como. Most of us take boat rides across and down the lake. These leave from Varenna. What you don't have when you're staying a mile or more away from where the activities are is the ease of returning to your apartment during the day.

As long as you realize that:
1. There is no ferry service in Fiumelatte and the closest ferry dock is in Varenna.
2. Varenna is at least one mile away and, unless you take a train, you need to walk 20-25 min on a narrow two lane highway with no shoulder or pedestrian sidewalk (therefore not the safest for walking, especially in the evening).

I fear you will be trapped there without a car. And the cost of a car rental can be applied to a hotel or apartment in a better location.

Jaime,

Staying in Varenna would be a much better option, as it will be much more convenient for taking day trips and enjoying the atmosphere in the evenings. There's probably a reason why the apartment is a "great price".

If Varenna is too pricey (being very popular and also very small), check Bellagio and especially Menaggio, or even Cadenabbia, just south of Menaggio.
Bellagio, Menaggio, Cadenabbia, and Varenna have superfrequent ferry shuttle service which serves just the 4 midlake localities, in addition to the regular Como to Colico ferries. Any of the 4 villages, will permit you to cross over to any of the other 3 in minutes.

Avoid Fiumelatte. We booked there several years ago, bait and switch a few weeks before our arrival. Train station was boarded up (2011). Very difficult without a car. Endorse busy road for long walk and we are walkers! Would stay in Varenna Definitely. Love Lake Como and Venice is worth the trip.

Last May we stayed in Varenna for 3 nights. One day we hiked up to Castello di Venzio, and took the trail Rick describes in his book down to Fiumelatte for lunch. We only found one place that appeared open. The walk back to Varenna along the road was fine. I think there was a sidewalk all the way. Felt much safer than the trail down from the castle (but that's another story).
We stayed at the Albergo Baretta. We found it very nice, and more economical than the other options in Varenna. A block from the train station, and a couple of blocks to the ferry dock and several restaurants. I especially enjoyed hanging out around the lobby with a glass of wine, comparing our days adventures with other guests before heading out for supper. I would stay in Varenna again.

Looking at the google view for the road, there are some areas where there are sidewalks, but a lot of areas do not.

Being a half hour walk each way to get to/from Varenna would require, for me, a HUGE savings to put up with that inconvenience. It also precludes it being easy to get back to for a mid day break.

Its your judgement what your time is worth.

I have to agree. Each time we have been to Varenna either alone or with friends, we stay IN Varenna. We have walked to Fiumelatte to hike up the hill, but we wanted to be able to walk out of our lodging and sit on the Lake with wine.