Hotels in Como

The town of Como is perhaps the least interesting place in Lake Como, you really want to stay in the mid-lake area (there's a reason "everything" is book there--but it seems unlikely that "everything" is booked, just the places mentioned in your guidebook. I think you will be happier extending your search to find a vacancy in the mid-lake area, the town of Como is not the same and not where the "postcard" iconic views are. Mid-lake would include Menaggio (across the lake from Varenna, easy to get to by ferry), as well as Bellagio, in addition to Varenna (which is a small place, not surprising if Varenna was booked).

I highly recommend Micheangelo B&B in Varenna. Just beautiful rooms and a wonderful rooftop balcony looking over Lake Como. The hosts are very helpful. I would think this place is probably booked up - but check it out.

Margaret

If Varenna is booked or too expensive, consider the other towns in the mid lake (Menaggio, Bellagio, Cadenabbia). They are all connected by the midlake ferry service and are less than 10 min away from one another. Don’t stay in Como. It’s a bigger, not so quaint, city far from the best spots.
Varenna is very tiny, so more likely to book up.

Check this one. I loved it. In Menaggio, just across the lake from Varenna.
http://www.hotelgarnicorona.com/
If that one Ismaili booked on your dates, there are many more in town. Menaggio is the biggest village in the midlake, and not as famous with foreign tourists as Varenna or Bellagio.

Como was the center of silk production, factories, Old Town is nice for lunch but I would never ever stay there. Stay mid lake- Bellagio, Menaggio, Cadennabbia, Lenno.

As Roberto mentions Menaggio, I could say we found it a good place to home base.

jean,

I don't have a current copy of the guidebook to refer to, so I don't know what hotels are listed at the present time. You could also check Trip Advisor for other hotels in Varenna or Bellagio, as I'm sure there will be some with vacancies. Have a look at Albergo Olivedo, which is right next to the Ferry dock in Varenna. It's an older hotel but I found it to be clean and comfortable, and the food in the restaurant was good.

While I would also recommend the mid lake over Como itself, I did stay in Como on one occasion for just three days and I actually enjoyed the town. I stayed at the Hotel Tre Re which was fine, though a bit noisy due to thin walls and a young baby who evidently wasn't sleeping much at night in the room next door. Took the funicular up to Brunate for a hike one day which I highly recommend. But....there is so much more to do mid lake and more beautiful vistas as well, so stay there if you can.