I've been to Como and Menaggio many times, to explore the mountains, take a few cooking classes up the road at the Ostelo, and to finally buy property.

Flying in to Milano, my wife and I decided to go up to the lake just for the day. She then ran into some friends, and off Como on the Ferry to go shopping, No thank you, I'll hike around a bit.

The day passed, and I decided to have dinner at the Hotel. As night came on and our mobile phones blazed away, we missed the train back, I then asked the Manager if a room was available.

I was shown a nice comfortable room overlooking the lake, and fell asleep waiting for my wife. She came in late, but dinner was made available and we decided to stay overnight. No reservations whatsoever, but very efficient and accomodating staff took care of us.

Which ended up a full week by the Lake. Compared to the hustle and din in Milano, the lake is peaceful and quiet. Decent breakfast, with dinners sometimes at the Hotel but usually at one of the many restaurants nearby within walking distance.

Our property is rented out, but we return and stay 2-3 x per year.

I concur that this Hotel is not for everyone, but we enjoy it.

Having read on Tripadvisor that the Bellavista hotel owners were not the friendliest, I was somewhat trepidatious and righlty so: both are fabulously unsmiling! However, the rest of the staff were exceedingly friendly.

The lakeside setting has stunning views. However, a lake view room is advisable as the other side is the main road with cars, lorries feet from your bed! Oh and be prepared to return with a neckbrace as the pillows are a tad on the hard side. Foodwise, very good; although if you want a cheese board in place of dessert - you have to ask. The ferryport is nearby and ferry costs are reasonable: buses are cheaper still and have aircon. All in all well worth a visit: if only to see Mr and Mrs Grump!

This is one of those rare hotels where most of the management / reception personnel could benefit from delivery of an in-service course on hospitality and basic courtesy. If the management enjoy their jobs then none of them has yet sent that message to their faces!

Thankfully and ironically such an in-service course could be delivered by restaurant and cleaning staff who were almost always friendly, good-humoured and efficient. The poker-faced, thoroughly unwelcoming and discourteous owner(s) who never identified themselves and / or their roles, should take note!

The hotel location is excellent with superb views out over the lake from restaurant, rear bedrooms with verandahs and from the poolside. It is also very convenient to ferry and to the town centre. We had a 4th floor back bedroom with a small verandah and, because of the room's being high into the roof, there was the very welcoming facility of air-conditioning. This, it has to be said, was the envy of some who had rear bedrooms without air-conditioning and some of those who had bedrooms at the front of the hotel complained of noise from the street as well as stifling effects of the double glazing installed to cut down the noise.

Bedrooms are small but clean and, whilst carpet on stairs and in the elevator has seen better days, there was a high overall standard of cleanliness. Food was good to very good and the overall cost is reasonable. The hotel setting, the lake setting and the ease of taking the ferry to the very beautiful nearby towns such as Bellagio and Varenna are to be very highly recommended.

All in all the hotel succeeds well in spite the lack of manners of its leadership. The best solution is to blank the 'matriarch' out of one's consciousness with the same efficiency as she obviously blanks out the simple courtesies of greeting, speaking with or even smiling at, her guests.

We stayed at the hotel for five nights in June and had booked two rooms, one double and one single for our party. Both rooms had lake views. Our room had a kingsized bed that was comfortable and substantive pillows.
We came by car so finding the hotel initially was a little difficult. If coming from Lugano you must turn sharp left and the traffic lights and then turn right in the hotel car park just before the right turn that leads to the centre of Menaggio. The underground car park that we had booked as we were not going to use the car during our stay is opposite behind the pharmacy.
Check in was fine even though we had to give in our passports. The single room was on the third floor and did not have a balcony but was well equiped with a nice shower and bathroom. The double room was adequtely sized. We were taken to the rooms by one of the people on reception. This personal service was appreciated and the person was friendly and helpful.
The balcony had two plastic chairs but it has been said elsewhere the views out to Bellagio and to Varenna are outstanding and with a drink it was wonderful to watch the world go by and the ferries coming and going from the nearby terminal.
There were two bedside tables and two sitting chairs in the room. The bed was turned down each evening and the towels replaced regularly. We were supplied with slip ons for walking around the hardwood floor of the room. The bathroom is small and the shower could be difficult to get into but otherwise the bathroom was fine.
Wifi internet access was available at a very reasonable cost but the connection could e intermittent. However, they do have a computer near the reception that you can also use.
We stayed on a bed and breakfast basis but also took a few evening meals there. Breakfast was your typical continental breakfast with cereals, yoghurts, breads including toast and jams, meats and cheeses and the waiters provide you with tea or coffee in pots as appropriate. The staff really are attentive and helpful and the matron runs this ship to precision as a person who demands quality beyond the norm.
The hotel is about 300 metres from the ferry terminal which is the other side of the Hotel Menaggio and is therefore a few minutes walk away. Likewise the centre of town is a similar distance in the other direction. The staff do a great job to ensure that this space is clean and the room was always tidied.
Evening meals were varied and the staff again attentive and friendly. There was a library and games room nearby that we used.
This hotel gives 5 star views at a 3 star cost and is one we would all like to return to again in the future.