Would like hotel recommendations for Varenna on Lake Como

We've stayed at both Albergo Milano and Hotel du Lac. Both were lovely places to stay, and within reasonable walking distance of the train station. Between the two, I preferred Hotel du Lac because of how warm and friendly the staff members were. It seems you've found that the booking calendar on their website doesn't go far enough out yet, but don't assume you can't get a room. Email the hotel directly. In June of 2021 we were planning way ahead for a September 2022 trip with friends. We were able to reserve three rooms by emailing the hotel, 15 months in advance. The rate, back then, was 212 Euro per room per night, for lakeview rooms.

I've been emailing them monthly for May 2025. At last communication, they are still not ready. I have found this at other hotels in Italy.
If too many of us contact them, they will really raise the 2025 prices! ( wink emoji)

If your budget will allow, you could also consider this hotel - https://www.royalvictoria.com/en?adblast=5588944850&vbadw=5588944850&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0ZOpg8OeiAMVEwytBh3cQTYsEAAYASAAEgK6dfD_BwE .

It's right in the main part of town and an easy walk along the lakeside promenade to the Ferry dock.

I stayed at the Hotel Royal Victoria and splurged for a lakefront room with a balcony.

The view was amazing. It was worth every penny.

We stayed at Albergo Beretta. It was close to the train and ferry. We had a lake view. We enjoyed staying there.

Thank you everyone for all of your responses. I really appreciate it.

Pat, I have emailed Hotel Du Lac several times, too; most recently was a few days ago. They told me to check back at the end of the season which is October. I would like to get my hotel reservations done before we leave for a 6-week trip to Australia and New Zealand in early October. I don't want to have to worry about this while we are away.

Vickie, Thanks for the recommendation for Albergo Milano. I don't know why I didn't see that during my search for hotels. I emailed the hotel directly, and they only have rooms with a side view of the lake available. Their prices are reasonable. I know you said you prefer Hotel du Lac but I'm wondering if I should book a room at Albergo Milano in case Hotel du Lac isn't taking reservations before we leave for Australia. I can cancel if necessary. Do you strongly prefer Hotel Du Lac? I know that's subjective.

Ken and Frank II, I looked at Hotel Royal Victoria, and while it is stunning, it is way above our budget, sadly. This is part of a 5-week trip to central and northern Italy, so I have to be practical. I've noticed that hotel prices are very high next year in Italy. This will be our most expensive trip with regard to hotel prices.

mnannie, I will check out Albergo Beretta. Thanks.

Hi—-what are your exact dates in May? I checked the website and they offer rooms in the adjacent building (Casa Rossa) for the May dates I checked. These rooms have a front-facing balcony. We have stayed in Casa Rossa both times and loved it. The “attic view studio” is a very large and bright room with a kitchen corner and a large terrace overlooking the lake.

https://www.albergomilanovarenna.com/

This page may show the details of this room:

https://www.albergomilanovarenna.com/booking/?checkin=13-05-2025&checkout=16-05-2025&group_adults=2&hotel_sel=2261&lang=eng#bookFrame

The downside is that it is on the 4th floor, with no lift, so you have to be OK with lots of stairs. (We don’t mind them; it is part of our daily exercise). Both times we have stayed there, Bettina walked us over to the room and helped with our luggage. The smaller rooms with frontal view are on the 2d and 3d floor in the same building, if that sounds better. All of them include breakfast in the main hotel.

But you can book any of these now on the website. The advantage of this over simply emailing is that you can look at the photos and room descriptions.

Lola, thank you. I misspoke. We will be there from June 2 through 6. I checked. There is availability at casa rossa. We are in our 70’s so don’t want 4th floor. Might be interested in the full frontal view. Are there lots of steps to get into the building?

We are staying in Hotel du Lac in three weeks time, so 24th September is our arrival.

We were able to book that back in early November last year, so I expect it will be a similar time frame when they open up this year. It was frustrating to wait but I am glad I did as we got what we wanted.

We have reserved the double room with a terrace right on the lake, and it is 360 Euro per night including breakfast.

I also had a booking at the Royal Victoria, it was more expensive, a much smaller room with just a balcony, not a terrace, and the reviews are not as good.

Hi DebH,
Thank you so much for this information. I will be more patient. It's just that we are leaving for Australia and New Zealand in October for a 6-week trip, so I will have to make our reservations while traveling. I suppose I could wait until we return at the end of November but I know this is a popular hotel, and I want to have a good choice in rooms. The terrace room is too expensive for us, so I think we would choose a balcony room.

I've been communicating with the Albergo Milan and they have lots of stairs to get into their hotel. They are not on street level. We are in our 70's, so I want a place with easy access so I think I would be happiest with Hotel du Lac.

Even if you don't choose Albergo Milano, their restaurant, La Vista, serves outstanding food with fabulous views of the lake.

Larry, thanks for the tip about the restaurant at Albergo Milan. Did you stay there? What is your opinion about the stairs that you have to climb to get there?

Albergo Milano is built on the hillside and the entrance is on the stone steps leading from the upper street down to the lakeside pedestrian walkway. There is unfortunately no way to avoid those steps. If you take a taxi from the train station the driver will drop you on the street at the top of those steps.

Hi Karen -
We actually stayed in the Casa Rossa apartment, which was very nice with great views, but, as Lola says above, there are quite a few steps leading down from the street above. However, if my memory serves, there is a path that skirts the water which eliminates using the steps as it goes right below the Albergo Milano. We were there in 2016. You will love Lake Como.
Larry

Lola, If we stay at Albergo Milano, we will definitely stay in the main hotel with a side view of the lake. That's fine with us. It's easier to access than the Casa Rossa. So, do you remember approximately how many flights of stairs there are from the upper street down to the entrance of the hotel? I would ask for a room on the first floor. I have definitely ruled out Casa Rossa. I wonder if I should book Albergo Milano now, and then try to get a room at Hotel du Lac when they are ready to take reservations? This way Albergo Milano is my back-up in case things don't work out with Hotel du Lac. So frustrating!

Hi again, I agree that if you are uncomfortable climbing lots of stairs then Casa Rossa is not for you. But the main building for Albergo Milano should not be a problem. I do not recall exactly how many steps there are, but the stone steps from the main street down to the hotel entrance are wide and well built, and in total are probably less than a “flight” of stairs in a building in the US. You could ask them to be sure.

Larry, as mentioned I am staying at the Hotel du Lac, but a friend recommended the Restaurant La Vista too. I tried to make a reservation there by email, but I got two quite rude replies stating that they are unavailable for my dates.

I'm not sure if I should pop in in person when we arrive, or if I should be put off by the rude response.

I have successfully reserved at all the other places that I want by email with no trouble whatsoever.

Hi Lola,
Thanks again! A flight of stairs is fine with us. We live in a 2-story house, and all the bedrooms are on the second floor. I just didn't want to be climbing many flights of stairs with luggage.

So I went ahead and booked the side lake view room with balcony. And I requested a room on the first floor. But I am still going to keep checking with Hotel du Lac, too.

DebH, what are the other restaurants you have reserved at Lake Como? Are they all in Varenna? Are some in Bellagio? Except for Larry's recommendation of La Vista, I don't have any restaurant suggestions.

Ristorante La Vista at Albergo Milano is hard to beat for food, ambiance, and views. We have only dined there. But if there is a rainy evening when they are not serving on the terrace, you could look at other options. The one time we were seated inside in the dining room because of rain, we found it noisy and less appealing. Mainly due to a group seated nearby (not Americans) that was pretty rowdy.

On the little street running just above Albergo Milano (Via XX Septembre) if you turn right at the top of the stone steps coming up from Albergo Milano, there are three cozy little places in a row, with good reviews for charm and delicious food: Il Cavatappi, Ristorante Borgovino, and Varenna Monamour. You might have a look at those.

And the restaurant at Hotel du Lac is also well-regarded.

Lola, thank you so much for your wonderful restaurant recommendations. We will definitely have dinner one night at Albergo Milano, and the three cozy restaurants you mention are right up our alley!

kmkwoo, we are staying at Hotel du Lac, so I have reserved there for our final night. I also have a reservation at Veranda dei Pescatori for the second night we are there. Apparently they come up pick you up as it is up high overlooking the lake.

https://laverandadeipescatori.it/

Our first evening, we know from past experience that we'll be exhausted and we don't arrive until 5 or 6pm. We will just stroll around and find somewhere casual to eat for an hour or so. Maybe Bar Il Molo, but the reviews aren't great. I'm sure we'll find something on a Tuesday evening.

That leaves one free night, which is when I was hoping to go to Ristorante La Vista. We might call in and see if we can reserve that way, or try Al Prato.

Another recommendation for Hotel Du Lac, there is no elevator but the gals at the front desk offered to take our luggage up if we were uncomfortable with stairs. They do dinners out on the balcony overlooking the lake which are very good. Also, we have had great dinners at Il Cavatappi. It’s very small, no views on side street but the food is wonderful. You will need reservations and it’s accepted by email. Have a wonderful trip!

DebH and Margie, thank you for your restaurant recommendations! I will put them on my restaurant list. And if I decide to book Hotel Du Lac when they open up reservations for 2025, I will let you know since everyone here has been so helpful.