Casa du Lac, by R Collection Hotels

We stayed in a terrace suite at Hotel du Lac in Varenna and it honestly took our breath away — the panoramic lake views from our balcony were nothing short of magical. The housekeeping was impeccable, and every member of staff we met was warm, friendly, and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. The location is ideal for exploring this beautiful little town, but with views like this, you’ll be tempted to stay on your terrace all day. I’d highly recommend it for a romantic getaway or any special occasion — it’s the kind of place that makes memories you’ll treasure. I’ve written a full blog about our Italy trip (including more on Varenna, Lake Como & beyond), so if you’d like more tips, photos, and even ways to make your own travel more affordable, check the link in my bio. ✈

The initial contact with the Reception Desk was weeks in advance. By Email, we arranged dinner on our arrival and parking for the 3-day stay at the wonderful boutique facility. I felt fortunate to have a room reservation 6 months in advance. Casa Du Lac must a popular spot in Varenna, There was a wedding during our stay but we didn’t feel slightest in the least. Always eager, welcome smile and tasty dishes from the restaurant and of course - extra help with the luggage. Thanks Casa Du Lac!

Stayed one night at Hotel Du Lac. Location is great - everything is within a few minutes walking distance. View from the restaurant is amazing while Tiramisu offered in the restaurant is awesome! Room is relatively small but has a window to view the lake - I assume that is the reason why it has to charge more. Service is great and everyone here is very friendly. You need to pay parking fee if you drive. Breakfast is also excellent! We had it in Hotel Victoria (as part of the package) - it comes with magnificent view with quality food and service. If I come to lake Como next time, l will spend the money in the right place. Boat trip is a must and good restaurant should be booked in advance. However I would probably not insist a "lake view room" and get charged premium. You can enjoy the great scene during day time while you are walking, having food in restaurants, and in the boat anyway. It is late and dark when we come back to the room so the value of the lake view is a bit overrated. Anyway this is still a great experience!

Do not book your stay at Hotel du Lac! You have been warned!! This hotel along with Hotel Royal Victoria are owned by a Milano business man, who over charges its guests. The service is terrible, the employees even laugh about how poor the hotel is run. No food, not even coffee is offered on Monday and Tuesday, it's the summer season, food service is not offered. You have to walk to the sister hotel Royal Victoria that thinks its okay to charge $75 USD for a bowl of pasta!

We spent four nights at the wonderful Hotel du Lac in Varenna, on Lake Como, in late September. Since returning we’ve heard that the hotel has been sold. I sincerely hope that the new owners do not change too much, as it was such a beautiful, family run property and there is little sense messing with something that works so well. The hotel is ideally located on the edge of the lake and literally seconds from the main square. We stayed in Room 10, a room with a private terrace overlooking the lake. The views were simply magnificent. We had breakfast included which was served in the Ristorante du Lac, again overlooking the lake. On the first morning we ate outside on the terrace, but the other mornings were chillier, so we sat inside at the window. Breakfast was served with an array of yoghurts, cereals, breads and pastries placed in from of you on a tiered tray. Hot food was then ordered from a menu, and it was always of excellent quality. Coffee, as you would expect in Italy, was always good. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff, they were there to offer any advice on anything. The room was cleaned each day to perfection. We did eat dinner on our last evening in the hotel restaurant, which I have reviewed separately. Wonderful food in wonderful surroundings. This was a very, very good hotel, and as I’ve previously stated, I do hope that not too much changes under its new ownership.

Nice hotel on the Lake. The big benefit is the front desk staff, who were immensely helpful negotiating the holiday boat schedule as well as recommendations for things to see. If you’re staying overnight around Lake Como, I highly recommend staying in Varenna. We were able to take the empty early morning train to our next destination without having to wade through a lot of other tourists.