Hotel Bazzoni et du Lac

The ferry is right outside the hotel, and the lake and Bellagio views are breathtaking. Breakfast was good, and the rooms were pretty good too. The one drawback is that there's no hotel parking. Some people expect a luxury stay for this price, which isn't realistic.

We booked Superior Lake View rooms and the location is fantastic. The rooms are a decent size by European standards, but otherwise very average, with few power outlets and no tea or coffee-making setup. Service has been poor apart from at the bar. When we reported an issue with our balcony door, there was resistance to sending someone to fix it, which was very disappointing. With so many alternatives nearby, it's surprising these problems haven't been addressed.

The location was excellent, right opposite the port, so getting to the main tourist spots around Lake Como was easy. Our room was reasonably clean, had a gorgeous view, and the air conditioning worked well. Service was okay, and the bathroom wasn't nice, but it was usable. The pool looked less appealing in person than it does online, and most of the other guests were older. Still, if you're after a decent, convenient place without spending a fortune, this is a good option.

We were glad we chose this hotel despite its somewhat lower rating and some of the reviews. The phenomenal view, good breakfast, friendly staff, relative value, and quieter town make it worthwhile. The rooms are fine for what you need if you're spending your days exploring the lake, though they won't wow you. We mostly used ours at night and only briefly during the day. Breakfast was fantastic, with made-to-order omelettes and plenty of other choices. The pools felt a bit cold, though perhaps that's normal here. In our room, the shower temperature jumped from good to extremely hot to cold without touching the dial. Maybe it was a quirk of our room or older plumbing. The AC didn't seem to get cold, but temperatures were in the mid-70s that week, so we didn't really need it. If you can spend $500-$1,000 a night, I'd stay somewhere else. For people looking for an affordable option on Lake Como, this is the place. We enjoyed it and would recommend it.