Milano

You'd have to look hard to find a more pleasant retreat by the lake. This old house hanging over Varenna's lakefront was taken over in 2002 by Bettina and Egidio Mallone, a friendly Italian-Swiss couple, and completely overhauled over the following 3 years, with new beds and antique-style furnishings, each room with its own color scheme. All have balconies and views -- nos. 1 and 2 open onto a wide terrace, and nos. 5 and 6 both have full-on lake vistas; the other half overlook the neighbor's pretty garden with askance lake views. The furnishings are a pleasant mix of old and unobtrusive modern pieces, brightened up with small Persian rugs. In summer, breakfast is served on the outdoor terrace.

A few years ago, the couple added two annexes, the Casa Rossa and the Casa Gialla, which enjoy all the services of the main hotel: breakfast, computer with Internet access, bar, and the like. The Casa Gialla is a two-bedroom apartment (two doubles and a sofa) accommodating up to five guests. Rates range from 120€ for two people to 260€ for five people. Views are of a quiet alley. The Casa Rossa rooms are on the third floor (walk-up) of an adjacent building: two doubles with a balcony and lake view (130€), and a more spacious double with the same view, terrace, and kitchenette (150€; add 35€ for a third person).

Facilities:
Restaurant; bar; concierge; Internet; room service

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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