Varenna Hotel alternatives

The towns are not the same. Varenna is smaller, and to my mind more charming, and the view from the hotel terrace more beautiful, as you're closer to Switzerland.

Some of your question needs review, as I'm not sure whether this is your first or last stop in Italy and whether you need to be closer to the airport before departing. Both towns are served by train.

Staying in the town of Como at the bottom of the lake is not the same experience as the mid section like Varenna or Bellagio. The scenery of the Swiss Alps is spectacular. We enjoyed Michelangelo B&B just beside Hotel du Lac. They provided transportation to & from the train station & their terrace was fantastic. If you do end up in Varenna, the cooking class with Chef Moreno, Ristorante Il Caminetto is well worth it.

We prefer to stay in 4 star hotels that are clean due to my allergies

Interesting assumption about 'stars' and cleanliness.

Keeping this in mind, would I be better off staying in Varenna for the proximity to the train station or should we stay somewhere in Varenna.

Perhaps this needs some editing?

No to Como. It is a small city at the southern end of the lake. The scenery there does not compare to mid lake. Other mid lake places in addition to Varenna to stay are Mennagio, Bellagio, Cadennabia, or Tremezzo. Varenna is small so hopefully you will find a place to stay in one of these other towns.

Two years ago we visited Lake Como in early September for 4 nights. We tried to stay in Varenna, but had no luck with hotel. We choose Hotel Metropole in Bellagio. It was perfect. It is right on the lake right next to the ferry dock and the shops and restaurants were right out the back door of the hotel. Our room had a balcony facing the lake. The hotel provides a breakfast in the morning on the terrace, weather permitting. We had a car, but we never used it. Good luck!

Thank you to all who commented. I apologize for my poorly worded question. I should have proofread.

I have cancelled our Como hotel and am now looking at the other villages listed. Both are the same price and offer breakfast. Keeping in mind that I have no car and will be traveling by ferry and boat would I be better off staying in Bellagio or Menaggio? I see RS recommends the Bellagio hotel but does t me ion any Menaggio hotels.

My choices are as follows:
1. Hotel Metropole Bellagio non lake view
2. Hotel Garni Carona in lake view

Would you be agreeable to an apartment? Booking.com and Air bnb still have lots of options left, although it is a bit late for your dates. We too are going, a bit later in September than you, and we found an apt with a terrace in Varenna, just across the street from the local "dog beach". Good luck!

We stayed in Hotel du Lac in Varenna in May of this year. It was a fantastic experience. Their hostess at the desk, Tatianna, was the best we encountered in our 18 day trip in Italy and Switzerland. The hotel also has a terrace for dining, and the best breakfast selection. We paid extra to have a balcony off our room, and the view was amazing. We went to Bellagio and Mennagio on the ferry and felt both paled in comparison to the beauty and charm of Varenna. We took the local train from Milano Centrale to Varennna-Esino stop, and it was a lovely hour trip. The train station in Varenna has no ticket office, but you can purchase a return ticket (good within a 4 day time frame) when you buy your ticket to this lovely place.
If you choose Bellagio or Mennagio, you still have to take the train to Varenna the get to the ferry dock and ferry to these villages. On your return, you have to ferry back to Varenna to get to the train station.
We took the bus from Bellagio to Como San Giovanni Train station. What we saw of the town of Como also did not compare to Varenna as it was larger and not as quaint. The mid lake region of Lake Como is what we enjoyed.

We have friends that recommended Hotel du Lac too. They enjoyed it immensely but we a
We’re unable to get a room there. I think we will just plan on spending time in Varenna, we have to go through the town anyway, but sleep in Bellagio or another mid lake town. Yesterday I switched my reservation from Como to Bellagio.