I have two reservations for our time at Lake Como. Originally, we wanted to stay in Varenna for various reasons, and were unable to obtain a reservation at a hotel in our budget. We then made a reservation across the lake in Menaggio. After I made the Menaggio reservation, I got an email from one of the hotels in Varenna saying they have a room for us (Albergo Berretta). Varenna is logistically better for us and prices are literally the same. My concern is about the comments we have heard on here and other places about the reliability of Albergo Berretta. Any comments or experiences out there? I am almost tempted to keep both reservations until a week or two beforehand, verify, then cancel the one in Menaggio before we would be penalized. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32220 posts
Kristi,
I don't have any comments regarding Albergo Berretta, but I do agree with the previous post to stay in Varenna if possible. Did you use the Guidebook to choose lodgings, and which ones did you try?
If you didn't try them yet, you might send an E-mail to enquire at either Albergo Olivedo or Orange House B&B.
Good luck!
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
Hi Kristi. I don't know if you've looked at Albergo Milano in Varenna. We stayed there last September and it was wonderful. I don't know if it's out of your price range or not but you might have a look. I believe they also have an annex close to the hotel & perhaps the price would be less expensive for the annex. We really enjoyed our time there. I think staying in Varenna is easier because the train stops there plus it's very quaint with the promenade around the waterfront.
Posted by
OP
Riverside, CA
35 posts
Albergo Milano and Albergo Olivedo are both above my price range (I would like to keep it under 80 Euro each night for a double room-I know, a tight budget). I've tried the Orange House as well, and they are booked. I've even checked on a website that includes many Varenna hotels and have come back with no availability for our dates and our low price.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
We stayed at Beretta in Varenna a few years ago and really did not like it.
1. They didn't have our reserved room available despite my having our printed email confirmation from them. This forced us to have to rent a more expensive room, and they didn't give us any discount on it.
2. The local fisherman gather in the downstairs bar early in the morning (like 6 a.m.) before going out and they are LOUD, LOUD, LOUD.
3. When it was time to check out, they claimed their credit card machine wasn't working so we would have to pay cash (which we didn't have on us), forcing us to deplete our day's ATM allowance. They also refused to give us any discount even though we were paying cash.
4. I said "claimed" in #3 because after we returned, we heard from others that the same thing had happened when they stayed there and went to pay with a credit card.
I was pretty sure RS had removed Beretta from his books after so many problems kept being reported.
Posted by
Singapore
1 posts
I haven't been to Varenna, and I'm not sure if you've already contacted this hotel in Varenna - I did obtain a quote from Monte Codeno (www.hotelmontecodeno.com) in June for double room with private toilet and shower plus breakfast for 100 euros per night - 90 euros if paying by cash. It's still above your budget though...
Posted by
Western Canada
3151 posts
I have come across the exact same problem: no rooms available under E100, for our time we want to spend in Varenna.
One person wanted E810. for 3 nights in an apartment!!!!!
(There are 4 of us, but that's more than we are spending on accomodation in Venice!!!!
I eventually booked something at a hotel in Menaggio, and figured we can always go to Varenna for the day.
Did you try Villa Elena in Varenna?
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
Menaggio has more hotels and a wider range of rates. Ferry service in that part of the lake is fast and frequent. The only problem I had in staying in Menaggio was that the ferry didn't start running early enough in the morning to suit my schedule. I needed to get to Varenna early in the am to catch my train. There are other travel options from Menaggio to Milan and other places.
Posted by
OP
Riverside, CA
35 posts
Our options in Menaggio was very budget friendly, but I had the same issue with transportation to the train in Varenna to catch a train. We did check Villa Elena and it is full. I feel like we will go with the Algergo Berretta and take it as a lesson to book our hotel sooner than 2 months ahead next trip when we are trying to stick to a strict budget.