Hotel du Lac, Varenna

You can see photos of the views from lots of the rooms on Tripadvisor. Looks like they all face straight out to the lake, but some have views to the south blocked by the large pink building on that side of the hotel. The view from the Oleander room looks really nice, but you said she will not promise any specific rooms?

No, they will not guarantee any one room unless you book for a week. I guess I understand that from a business perspective. What is really annoying, though, is not knowing if their definition of lake view includes what many refer to as a "partial lake view." Looking at the picture of the front of the hotel, you can see a couple of rooms that look like they could be partial. I don't know why they cannot be specific about what they have to offer within one specific catagory for which the charges are all the same. It seems a little shady and yet I haven't read any reviews that would suggest that. They do offer rooms on the top floor have "panoramic views" and I could take one of those but they are 75 euros more per night.
I guess that's the price you pay for staying in Varenna. I found quite a few rooms in places other than Varenna with gorgeous views for much less but Varenna is the pearl of the lake and definitely my husband's first choice and he will be celebrating a big birthday there.

Then try Albergo Milano instead. They say whether their lake views are frontal or sideways.

We stayed at Hotel du Lac in 2008 and had a room with a partial lake view. It was set back from the rest of the hotel and looked straight out at the lake
but we could see across the lake just fine. I didn't feel it was worth the extra money for an unobstructed lake view. I liked the hotel. They have a lovely breakfast room. Plus they were friendly and very accommodating. They made a box breakfast when we had to leave early before breakfast was served to catch a train.

Sasha - the Albergo Milano is booked for our dates. Elizabeth - When you say "across the lake," what was there? Could you see mountains? Was it a nice view? It does sound like a nice hotel but it doesn't seem right that they don't differentiate between a partial view and a full view. Unless there are no full views for the lower price.
We want to stay in Varenna and there really isn't that much to choose from. The view is really important to my husband so I may have to upgrade to the panoramic view room - he is celebrating a BIG birthday while we're there.

Lisa, did you contact Albergo Milano directly? Or use an agent like booking.com? I see the latter shows " sold out" on every date I try, which is difficult to believe. If you haven't contacted them directly, I suggest you do so. If that doesn't work, and itis views you are after, consider Eremo Gaudio. It is up high above the village, so not as easy if you don't have a car, but my boss stayed there and loved it.

I agree with Lola in that you should contact Albergo Milano directly. I haven't stayed at the Hotel du Lac but have stayed at Albergo Milano in a room with a full frontal view of the lake and it was wonderful. It was definitely worth the extra money. If Albergo Milano is really booked full, then I would splurge for the panoramic view room at the Hotel du Lac...especially since it's a special occasion. The reviews on TA look good so I doubt you'll be disappointed. Have a wonderful trip!

Last summer we stayed at the Hotel Olivedo in Varenna and really liked the property. It is a well kept and clean antique located right on the lake. Buon viaggio,

The Olivedo is set back from the lake, with a carpark/plaza between the hotel and the shore. And the ferry dock is right there. Nice is you enjoy watching boats come and go, but I have read complaints about the noise from the traffic. If Albergo Milano and Eremo Gaudio are not available or don't appeal, I suggest you book a lakefront room at Hotel du Lac and appeal to her sense of romance-tell her it is your husband's birthday and you hope for a room with an unobstructed view.

Last year we stayed at Villa Torretta and had NO problem with noise. We enjoyed our stay there very much!! GREAT view!!!

About ten years ago I stayed at H. du Lac in Varenna in a single room. It faced to the back of the property away from the lake. The room was very nice; breakfast was a beautiful buffet.

Lola - I took your advice and sent an inquiry to the Albergo Milano...I haven't heard back yet. I layed the special birthday thing on pretty thick in one of my emails to Hotel du Lac but she didn't bite. Annoying. If the Milano has lake view availability I will probably take it, otherwise I'll take my chances with Hotel du Lac in the regular lake view rooms. $1000 for 3 nights - what it would cost in the panoramic view rooms - just seems excessive for our budget, especially in the context of this trip. I'm sure my husband will be fine with whatever hotel we stay in given the surroundings no matter how much we see of them from our hotel window.
THank you everyone for all your input!