jonescm128

Hello! My wife and I have narrowed down a few Lake Como hotels that are off the beaten path a bit and was wondering about getting around the lake. We are looking at the Mandarin Oriental, Villa Lario and Filario Hotel & Residences. These are hotels that are a bit more secluded than some in the more popular towns of Bellagio, Mellagio and Varenna. I was curious if anyone has experience staying at any of the hotels I listed or if you have stayed in others on the lake that are also a bit secluded. How did you get around? I know these hotels have on-site restaurants but we would like to get to some of the other towns and not just rely on the hotel restaurant. How did you guys get around the lake if staying in less populated areas?

Thanks!

Michael

Not exactly secluded, but oout of the town itself and with a wonderful view from its terrace:

https://www.ilperlo.com/en

Jean

If you intend to do much sightseeing from those properties, you'll likely need to drive to maximize your days. Ferry service at the nearest stops would be infrequent and probably not allow for a very long day. There is a bus that runs along the shoreline between Como and Bellagio. Line 30 of ASF Autolinee takes about an hour between Como and Bellagio. If you wanted to see sights on the western shore (Villa Balbienello, Villa Carlotta, etc.) the drive via Como would take an hour or more from the Mandarin or Villa Lario and at least 90 minutes from Hotel Filario. If your trip is in high-season summer, esp. on a weekend, the drives would take longer due to traffic, and parking could be a frustration. You could drive to Bellagio and take an early car ferry to the opposite shore, but I doubt the last return car ferry departs late enough to have dinner there. I understand the desire for a quieter situation, but for me the sightseeing logistics would overshadow the solitude.

La Perlo recommended by Michael is indeed in a great position for views of the lake, but it's too far to walk to Bellagio and the Bellagio ferry stop so you're back to driving/parking. Also, for someone short-listing the Mandarin and the other properties mentioned, this is not the hotel for you.

But you might consider Hotel Belvedere up the hill and just outside of Bellagio's center... about a 10 minute walk to the center and ferry landing. Their lakeview suites are particularly nice. On-site restaurant is very good. Parking available and, I think, free. Note: The property closes for the season on Oct. 16th this year.

jonescm128

Yeah, we are noticing there really aren't easy ways to get around and we would rather not rent a car. Maybe we will do a couple nights in a hotel that is more conducive to walking so we are able to do some sightseeing and have easy access to the ferry and then spend a few nights at some of the hotels I mentioned.

HappyTrvlr

We always rent cars in Europe outside of cities with one. exception, Lake Como. We stay in areas with ferry access.
We stayed at Hotel Belvedere on our first trip to Lake Como and it had parking which is rare.

TDudette

No help with the hotels you mentioned, jonescm128, but we enjoyed the family-owned La Pergola. From my notes: "Bellagio is as pretty as Varenna-more touristy perhaps? Hotels, restaurants and shops abound along the water. We taxi to our hotel La Pergola (up the hill and down the hill!) and start saying “wow” again when Livio Gatti, son of proprietor Magdalene (Marilena per Internet person) Gatti, shows us our room. It is perfectly funky. Antique furniture and closet shower and a balcony almost as big as the room! Great views! Table for 2, bench and folding sun chairs! There is a big dark cloud across the lake. There is an outdoor, vine-covered restaurant for summer below us."
The big dark cloud turned out to be the Alps! Do check info below for most current info. And let everyone know what you choose.

https://lapergolabellagio.com/en/

longpham5823

Hi TDudette, Hope you are still checking this conversation. Hope you had a nice trip. We are also staying in a hotel (Il Perlo Panorama) on a hill in Bellagio in May and will need taxis as well. How was your experience getting taxis in Bellagio ? Are they available at the ferry docks or bus stations or did you have to go online and book ? Thanks.

TDudette

jonescm128, no help with the hotels you mentioned. Please see TR below for more no car info.

Hi longpham5823, just remember we were there not only pre-covid, but pre-Uber. Our hotel owner called for the taxi. There were always taxis at the ferry dock at that time. The name of our taxi driver was Fabbio...maybe he has a new driving service. Go to post #15 in my TR below for more info about how we managed without a car.

Dukey1

I had no idea there is a Mandarin even close to Lake Como; guess I've been away too long. The Grand in Tremezzo is about as "secluded" as I ever want to be in that area; there is a ferry dock nearby as is Villa Carlotta. It IS secluded from that mob scene of visitors in Bellagio, however.

TPAYT

We also loved our stay at Grand Tremezzo Hotel. We did have a car but took ferries from the dock to all the small towns around the lake.
As I mentioned recently in another Lake Como thread, our dinner at Al Veluu in the hills above Tremezzo was all time memorable. As it is not that far I’m sure the hotel could arrange a taxi. The hotel also sent us to several other small, intimate restaurants close to the hotel.
The hotel restaurant has a terrace with a splendid view across to Bellagio.