Montebello Lake

The pool and garden were lovely, with jasmine in the air, and breakfast by the pool at 8am came with views of Lake Como, Lecco, the mountains and distant church bells. For the extra €8 each, breakfast was well worth it: juice, fresh croissants, fruit, toast, jam, yoghurt and some of the best coffee we had in Italy. We stayed three nights in June 2025 and loved it. Our second-floor room had a large balcony looking toward the lake, Lecco and the mountains, plus good air conditioning and a nice bathroom with toiletries. The hosts were welcoming, informative and flexible, and served breakfast when we wanted it. Nothing was too much trouble. There was plenty of free parking and free Wi-Fi, and our 5G signal was excellent. It's a wonderfully quiet spot, about a 20-minute walk from the Lecco promenade and its restaurants, cafes and gelaterias. It's also easy to head north along Lake Como, including a 25-minute drive to Varenna. An affordable, charming and authentic place with great views and a fantastic pool. We'll be back.

We had a fun three nights here, and the beautiful B&B was a lovely place to come home to after walking more than 10 miles most days. Thanks to Jacomo and his family for their hospitality. The garden smells wonderful in the morning, and the breeze up here is great. The dog is a big boy but friendly, so don't worry if he runs up to you. The bats are friendly too. The scenery and daily views were breathtaking. The uphill walk is real, as you'd expect in Italy. I thought I could manage our four pieces of luggage from Lecco station, but thankfully my wife called a cab. That ride saved us. It's 20-25 minutes to central Lecco, where ferries go to Bellagio. Buses to Varenna and trains to Como are easy to access. Bring a car or take a cab when you arrive. Buy water at the grocery store at the bottom of the hill, and charge your phones before heading back up at night. We nearly got lost but remembered the gate code. We used the B&B mainly to rest and shower, so we never made it to the pool, which I wished had stayed open until sundown. We chose to eat breakfast in the city for more protein, so I can't comment on the breakfast options, though I imagine we'd have enjoyed it by the pool. We had no trouble with the amenities, but don't expect a party house or a fridge. The negative reviews seem to come from people looking to party or use the pool after hours. I understand some complaints, but I've learned to respect each place's rules and that life can be different in different places. Grazi famiglia for a great start to our honeymoon and for the ride that rescued us.

The pool and the surrounding views are the hotel's best feature, but access hours are very limited. The rooms are basic, and after four days the staff complained when we asked for fresh towels. There was nowhere to keep drinks cold. A kitchen was there, but guests weren't allowed to use it. The owners live on the property, and we were made to feel like an imposition, as if sleeping in our room was the only thing we were entitled to do. It's a 20-25 minute walk to the town center. Taxis are almost impossible to find, and buses are infrequent and don't go near the hotel. I'd suggest staying somewhere else.

The natural surroundings were beautiful, but the stay was deeply unpleasant. There were so many rules that I couldn't relax, and I felt watched all the time, with a constant urge to get away. There was no food available on site, and we weren't allowed to eat there. With no activities or entertainment either, the place felt lifeless. The room looked clean, but the third person's bed was a small folding one that creaked all night and made proper sleep nearly impossible. At the pool, the host locked the door from inside without warning us. We only found out when we tried to get back into the house, and had to go around to the main entrance. Thankfully, we remembered the password. That was unsettling and added stress to the stay. I wouldn't recommend this hotel. The rules, lack of amenities and food, uncomfortable bed and pool incident outweighed the lovely surroundings.