Need a Hotel idea for Varenna

Kelli my husband & I stayed at Eremo Guido in Varenna & if we ever return we would definately stay there again. Up a steep hill but the views over the lake are spectacular. Highly recommend

I would recommend AGAINST Albergo Beretta, which is apparently still in the RS books, for some reason. They run a scam where they tell you that, yes indeed they do accept credit cards, but then when it's time to check out, well goshdarnit if their credit card machine isn't broken and you'll have to pay cash. And, no, there is no discount for paying cash, unlike almost everywhere else in Italy. (This can deplete your cash stash and is complicated by the shortage of ATM machines in the little town of Varenna and the daily limit that you can withdraw.)

This has happened to many people who've stayed there.

Also, it's VERY loud early in the morning (5 a.m.) when the fishermen come by for their coffee before going out on the lake.

RS should take them out of his book. (Plus they had given our room to someone else and we had to choose between a worse room at the same price or a better room at a much higher price.)

I second Ereme Gaudio. We stayed there last October. Our room was very basic, but the view was incredible and taking inclines up to the rooms was charming! We thought their breakfast buffet was good too.

Kelli,

I stayed at Albergo Olivedo and would certainly recommend it. The room was somewhat "spartan" and small (I usually travel solo, so didn't mind) but very comfortable. The food was wonderful, especially the Pasta served at dinner (can't remember what it was called?).

About the only disadvantage was the fact my room was at the front, so I could hear all the PA messages from the Ferry dock (which is right in front of the Hotel). I really didn't mind as these served as somewhat of an "alarm clock".

Happy travels!

We rented an apartment thru Hotel Montecodeno, in 2004.
It was lakeside (on 3d floor- no elevator),spacious and afforded us a place to cook the great pastas and sundries we bought locally. It was very reasonable, as well- we remember about $85 tho we'd expect it over $100 now

I posted on an previous thread about this, but we stayed at Hotel Du Lac. Right on the water, no hiking, gorgeous views. May be a little pricey, but I'd do it again without hesitation.

We stayed at Hotel Villa Cipressi when we were in Varenna two years ago. We had room on the water and it was so beaustiful. We had a corner room with a view of the lake and the monastery next door. They also have gardens on the grounds that you can tour for free if you are a guest (you have to pay a few Euros if you are not).

We ate dinner one night at Albergo Olivedo's and it was incredible. The home made ravioli was the best I have ever eaten.

Amy,

Ravioli - that's what it was (I couldn't remember which type of Pasta they featured)!

Yes, it was incredible!!! I can hardly wait to return.

We chose Albergo Olivedo from RS guide book and would not stay there again. The owner was rather rude, room was noisy due to the ferries and crowds that gathered at the dock, beds were terrible and linens looked thirty years old. The only positive thing I can say is it is close to train station and within walking distance. Hotel du Lac looked wonderful but not inexpensive. If you want a hotel with good rates I think Eremo Gaudio would be the best choice. You get the great views wo the noise. We loved Varenna and hope to return someday. It is such a charming town. We had laundry done and walked backed past the laundry several hours after dropping it and outside in a little walled area we spotted our clothes drying on a clothesline....very quaint!

Hi Kelli, We too stay at Albergo Olivedo and was very pleased. Laura, the owner, we thought was wonderful. When she found out we were going to miss breakfast because of a very early train, she packed us some breakfast items to take on the train. She is very hard working and maybe Susan hit her at a bad time. Our room was big (corner room w/balcony overlooking the lake), clean, yes, beds were hard but we liked that, and we enjoyed sitting on the balcony watching the ferry come and go. We didn't feel it was noisy at all (this was Sept.) And, ditto, on her ravioli...the best we ever had! I still talk about it. She has a little covered outside eating area that was wonderful to sit under since it starting raining that evening. As we enjoyed our dinner and a bottle of wine, we watched as nightfall came, the towns from across the lake light up on the horizon...absolutely beautiful and very romantic.

LINDA,

I definitely agree with your comments about Albergo Olivedo. While I've heard some comments about Laura, I found her to be a wonderful and hard working host, and always very pleasant.

However, as Albergo Olivedo is located only a few feet from the Ferry dock and ticket office, there is some "inherent noise" from that. My room was on the front and with the window open, the PA messages were certainly noticeable in the morning. I didn't find this to be a problem, as once breakfast was finished I was out touring for the day.

The boat activity was much quieter after about 20:00, and as someone else mentioned it was fantastic to sit on the patio at Albergo Olivedo with a glass of wine and that wonderful Ravioli and look at the lights of the neighboring towns and the reflections in the lake (unfortunately I was travelling solo, so couldn't appreciate the "romantic" aspects of the experience).

Cheers!

I have stayed at Villa Cipressi and Albergo Olivedo and I recom them highly. Albergo Olivedo's Pumpkin gnoochi is the best I have ever had. We still are trying to duplicate it and can't.

I,too,vote for Olivedo. On my last visit I asked for the cheapest single room-it was on the top floor(84 stairs)& the windows were at floor level. None the less, lights & ferry announcements reminded me where I was,& the wonderful sunset dinners on the patio were fabulous.Pumpkin gnocchi was not on the menu either visit-probably because it was Spring-but the ravioli with sage butter was.Yummy!I thought Laura was quite formidable when first we met, but she goes out of her way to help her guests & does smile,if you are friendly!Location is great-short walk to the train,brief stroll along the lake to the "busy" part of town,fall out the door to the ferries!Many of the rooms have balconies & are,I think,all on the lake side or ends,as it is a very narrow building.I find the prices are less than Cipressi & Eremio Gaudi,rooms are simply furnished in Liberty Style, both positive for a budget traveler...

SUE,

It sounds like you might have had the same room I had? Your description of the windows being at floor level sounded very familiar.

I wouldn't hesitate to stay at Albergo Olivedo again. I'm sure looking forward to that Ravioli!!!

Have stayed at Villa Cipressi in 1999 and it was wonderful. They were completely booked for our 2007 trip so we stayed at Eramo Gaudio which was equally wonderful with even better views. Just be prepared for quite a hike to get there. We took a taxi to and from with our luggage. At the end of a long day on the lake, it helped us walk off the lunch calories. Also, be aware if you have to leave Varenna early to catch a plane, especially on the weekend, you're stuck taking a taxi which is incredibly expensive. If you're heading home from Varenna, it may be best to get a room in Milan for your last night.

we stayed at Ermeo Gaudio in September and had a nice corner room. It was larger than some of the other rooms. The views were great and the front desk was very helpful. The breakfast on the balcony overlooking the lake was great. But, it was a long walk from the train station or even from a restaurant in the middle of the town. We were with my 77 year old mother in law and had to take the taxi quit a few times because it wore her out going up the hill to the hotel.