Hotel Beretta Varenna
by the TopOfHotel team
Hotel Beretta is the best value on Lake Como — a 2-star from about $90 a night that still scores 8.9/10, with a private lake-view balcony and a train station 50 m from the door
Hotel Beretta is the best value on Lake Como — a 2-star from about $90 a night that still scores 8.9/10, with a private lake-view balcony and a train station 50 m from the door
In-Depth Review
Hotel Beretta Varenna may be the best-value bed on the whole of Lake Como — a 2-star starting at roughly $90 a night that still scores 8.9/10 from several hundred real guests, ahead of plenty of 3- and 4-star hotels charging far more. What lifts it above its price is a strong location and the lake-view balconies that turn up in nearly every review. On a lake where most hotels run expensive, Beretta is the gap that budget-savvy travelers find and keep coming back to.
Rooms and decor
Rooms are simple and clean in a traditional Italian style, with air-con, a flat-screen TV and — the part that matters most — a private balcony looking onto Lake Como. Reviewers point everyone toward the Lake View balcony rooms specifically; the view is the kind you would expect to pay far more for. There's tea and coffee in the room, a clean bathroom with a shower, and free Wi-Fi throughout. A minority of reviews mention the beds running firm in some rooms — if that's a concern, ask for an extra pillow at reception and you'll be fine.
Food and amenities
Breakfast draws steady praise — a full Italian spread with cheese, cold cuts, fruit, pastries and coffee — and more than a few reviews call it very good for the price. The front-desk team gets repeated mentions for being warm and helpful, though a handful of guests note that service can swing a little depending on who's on shift; overall it lands well above what you'd expect at a 2-star. There's no pool and no spa here, so set expectations around value rather than facilities, but the Varenna Lovers Walk and the village's local restaurants are all within an easy walk.
Location and getting there
The strongest card Beretta holds is the location: Varenna-Perledo station sits just 50 m from the door, with direct trains to Milan Centrale in about an hour. That makes it ideal for a night or two on a wider Milan trip, or as a base to work the lake all day and come back each evening. The Varenna ferry pier is about a 5-minute walk, the Lovers Walk — the prettiest lakeside path on Lake Como — is just as close, and the lake itself is only 100 m down the hill.
Things to know before booking
Three honest caveats. Some reviewers find the beds firm and say service can be a touch uneven by shift, both of which are fair at this price but worth knowing. A few rooms catch noise from the trains or the ferry pier, so ask for a quieter room if you wake easily. And there's no pool, no spa and no parking — Varenna's public lots are tight and pricey, so arriving by direct train from Milan is the easier call.
Our take
Hotel Beretta suits backpackers, solo travelers, budget-minded couples and first-timers who want a real taste of Lake Como without giving up location or the view. The 8.9/10 score is proof that a low price doesn't have to mean a poor stay — and at roughly $90 a night with a balcony over the water and a train station 50 m away, it's the obvious first pick for anyone starting out on the lake without spending big.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The lowest price anywhere around Lake Como — rooms start at roughly $90 a night, against the $200-plus that most lakefront hotels here command.
- Only 50 m from Varenna-Perledo station, with direct trains reaching Milan Centrale in about an hour, which makes it an easy base for day trips into the city.
- Private balconies looking onto Lake Como — reviewers steer everyone toward the lake-view balcony rooms, and roughly 9 in 10 of them lead with that morning view.
- A solid full breakfast (Italian-style with cheese, cold cuts, fruit, pastries and coffee), and front-desk staff who get repeated praise for being friendly and helpful.
- The Varenna Lovers Walk, the prettiest lakeside path on Lake Como, is just 5 minutes away, and the ferry pier across to Bellagio is the same short stroll.
- A handful of reviewers find the beds on the firm side and say service quality can swing depending on who is on shift — fair trade-offs at a 2-star price, but worth knowing.
- Some rooms catch noise from the nearby trains or the activity around the ferry pier, so ask for a quieter room if you wake easily.
- No pool and no spa, and the hotel has no parking of its own — Varenna's public lots are tight and pricey, so arriving by train from Milan is the easier call.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Book a Lake View balcony room specifically — it is the single reason Beretta punches above its price, and the morning view over Lake Como is the thing past guests remember first.
- Use the 50 m walk to the station to your advantage — catch an early train, spend the whole day in Milan, and be back in Varenna for dinner by the lake that evening.
- If you sleep lightly, ask the front desk for a room away from the train tracks and the pier when you check in, and request an extra pillow if you like a softer bed.