Albergo Milano
Varenna, on the eastern shore, is quieter and less polished than Bellagio, which is exactly its appeal. The waterfront is lovely, with a narrow lakeside promenade and a handful of restaurants that catch the afternoon sun and the views across to the western mountains.
Albergo Milano, the hotel restaurant right on the water, is better than most hotel dining, with a small terrace that comes into its own at sunset.
It is worth booking ahead for an evening table. Expect a refined but unfussy menu of lake fish and Lombard classics.
Guest Reviews
We loved our stay in the Casa Rossa mezzanine apartment at the Albergo Milano Hotel. It was perfect for our family of four (two parents, one adult child, and one teenage child). The patio on the lake, with a view of the mountains, was the highlight. The apartment was spacious, and it was so nice to have two full bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a dining table. I would love to go back and stay longer. The breakfasts were delicious. We accidentally left a jacket behind, and the host mailed it to back to me on my request. The location was great: quiet at night but reasonably convenient to the boat dock and train station. If you are not steady on your feet, you might want to get a ride from the train station though since it is a bit of a walk on hilly streets.
We visited Albergo Milano for our first trip to Lake Como, and it was a wonderful experience from the moment we arrived. The staff was incredibly helpful and made the check-in process quick and smooth, which we really appreciated after traveling. Our room had a beautiful view of the lake—waking up to that scenery was unforgettable. The breakfast area was also excellent, with a great selection and a lovely atmosphere to start the day. Overall, a very pleasant stay and a perfect introduction to Lake Como. We would definitely come back!.
Wow, that’s all we can possibly say! We stayed in the patio lakefront room and had a truly incredible time in Varenna. We cannot speak highly enough about every detail regarding the hotel- from the kind and helpful staff, to the cleanliness, the location, the price- it was all perfect. We had breakfast at the hotel each morning and had dinner there one night, these experiences were phenomenal and we can confidently say that the dinner was one of the best we had while in Lake Como. Varenna is such a beautiful, picturesque place that is absolutely worth a visit! We strongly preferred Varenna to our time in other towns on the lake. We felt so lucky to have been able to explore the town and stay in such an amazing hotel, it was truly a bucket-list vacation! If you’re looking for a cozy, safe, authentic, and beautiful spot on the lake, Albergo Milano is the place to be!! Thank you so much for the stay; if we ever make it back to Lake Como we will only be staying with Albergo Milano!
This is one of the BEST places we stayed in Italy! Absolutely beautiful! We stayed in a private loft apartment just a few minute walk from the main office and Restaurant! Incredible views, big deck, two bathroom loft bedroom! Amazing!! The staff was terrific! Breakfast every day was perfect! Dinner was one of my favorite meals in all of Italy! Highly recommend staying here!!
Excellent location for a trip. We stayed 4 nights for relaxation. The staff were friendly. Breakfast was good. The rooms, the only negative note in my opinion, were the noise from the neighboring room; we could hear them talking well. We may have disturbed our neighbors too. We tried a lot to whisper while talking, but on the other hand, the view and the balcony were fantastic. We had a great time here. Thank you!
More Restaurants in Lake Como
Bilacus
In Bellagio, the waterfront restaurants along the lungolago tend to trade on location rather than quality. For better cooking, head uphill to the quieter streets behind the waterfront, where Bilacus serves reliable Lombardian cuisine in a pleasant courtyard in the old town.
Crotto dei Platani
A crotto is a traditional Lombard restaurant built into or against a natural rock formation, using cool air from mountain caves as a natural refrigerator, a technique that predates electricity by centuries. Crotto dei Platani, in the small village of Brienno on the western shore, is one of the finest examples. The terrace extends over the water beneath enormous plane trees, and on a still summer evening it is as atmospheric as dining gets.
Il Sereno Al Lago
Il Sereno Al Lago, at the Patricia Urquiola-designed Il Sereno hotel in Torno, holds a Michelin star and delivers a more contemporary experience than most of the lake's fine-dining rooms. Chef Raffaele Lenzi's cooking is built around clarity and precision: dishes centre on two or three core flavours, executed with impeccable technique and presented with modernist restraint.