"Hotels in the Lakes are never cheap but, if your priority is booking a hotel with a perfect location and stunning view over Lake Como then this hotel is for you. We arrived early but the hotel was quite happy to store our luggage to allow us to go and explore Bellagio. There is a very small lift (big enough for 2 people with luggage) and stairs which are not too steep. We were on the first floor. The room was very spacious and clean. We had a triple room with lakeside view with an adjoining bathroom and walk-in shower (powerful with constantly piping hot water). Although the decor was a little tired in places, this didn't bother us as we loved the convenience of being able to walk out of the hotel door and be right in the heart of things. I think this would be especially important during the heat of the summer as you could easily pop back and cool down in the air conditioning then nip out again. It is about 100m from the actual lake front (hotel pizzeria is directly across the road - we chose not to visit) and 2 minutes from the ticket office and ferry port to Menaggio and Varenna (both about 15 mins away). If you turn right on exiting the hotel, you will pass the various steep flights of cobbled steps which lead past a great selection of shops and bars up to the higher part of the town. Salita Serbelloni is the main one - well worth climbing with spectacular views down towards the lake on the way. We were on a breakfast only basis (usual continental selection). Coffee, etc was from a machine and was ok but I much preferred the hot chocolate which was delicious. Small kettle is provided in your room with tea bags replenished daily. Girl on reception was extremely pleasant and helpful - the young man, not so much!
Hotel has an outdoor pool but we didn't use it. We discovered 'La Grotta' restaurant on Salita Cernaia. What a find! Family run, delicious pizzas and pasta and absolutely packed every night. Be sure to book in advance as people were queueing down the steps prior to opening at 7pm every night. ( Turn right out of hotel and go through the archway - next set of steps on your right. Worth the climb!!)
Don't forget to visit the gardens of the Villa Melzi - turn left as you exit the hotel and keep walking along the lake front for about 15 minutes - past the Lido. You can't miss it. Absolutely stunning!!
Ferry to Como is short walk along the front (turn right out of hotel and go through the archway). Be aware that there are both fast and slow ferries. The first takes 1 hour (for some reason you can't book a return ticket, resulting in having to join a very long queue to come home) and the slow ferry takes 2 hours but lets you see a good selection of the many villages around the lake."
