Villa Torretta Varenna
by the TopOfHotel team
Villa Torretta is a 6-room villa B&B where owner Laura treats guests like family — 80 m from the ferry, with lovely Lake Como views.
Villa Torretta is a 6-room villa B&B where owner Laura treats guests like family — 80 m from the ferry, with lovely Lake Como views.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The rooms in this old villa lean classic Italian — antique furniture and local artwork on the walls, with several balconies looking straight onto Lake Como. Guests repeatedly mention the rooms run larger than expected for the price, and that the place feels like a genuine historic Italian home rather than a property faking the atmosphere. The honest catch: not every room has air-con (it matters most in summer) and the Wi-Fi can be unreliable. If you're visiting in July or August, ask about air-con before you book.
Food and amenities
The standout here is Laura, the owner — every review mentions her, without exception. She steers guests to restaurants locals actually eat at, the best-value boat routes, photo spots most visitors miss, and travel details around Lake Como in more depth than the better-paid concierge at a much bigger hotel. The continental breakfast is served on the lake-view terrace, and several guests call it the best meal of the trip — not for any luxury on the plate, but for the view in front of them. There's no pool or spa; this is a small B&B, not a resort.
Location and getting there
The location is excellent — 80 m from the Varenna ferry pier, which runs all day to Bellagio (a 15-minute crossing), Menaggio, and Como town. You can walk the lakefront path straight to the restaurants, cafes, and the Varenna Lovers' Walk, one of the prettiest stretches on the whole lake and not one to skip. The Varenna-Perledo train station is also just a few minutes' walk, which makes Varenna a strong base for exploring all of Como.
Things to know before booking
Three things to settle first. Not all rooms have air-con, so confirm it for a July-August stay or request a room with good lake-breeze ventilation. The Wi-Fi can drop, and a few rooms are short on power outlets — worth knowing if you plan to work. And there's no pool, spa, or 24-hour front desk; this is a 6-room villa run personally by the owner, so if you want a full menu of hotel facilities, this isn't it.
Our take
Villa Torretta suits couples who want a real boutique B&B and a genuinely Italian, personal stay over a property that ticks every amenity box. It isn't the place for full facilities — but if you want atmosphere, an unbeatable 80 m walk to the ferry, and a host who looks after you like a friend, all at an accessible price, it's the best fit of any hotel in the Varenna zone.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Laura, the owner, earns praise in nearly every review — she points guests to restaurants locals actually eat at, the best-value boat routes, and photo spots most visitors never find, in more detail than the paid concierge at a far bigger hotel.
- At 80 m from the ferry pier, it's the most convenient base in Varenna — you can roll your bag to the boat for Bellagio (a 15-minute crossing), Menaggio, or Como town without a taxi.
- Several rooms open onto balconies with a direct Lake Como view, and guests consistently note the rooms are more spacious and charming than the rate implies.
- Starting around $157 a night, it's among the cheapest lake-view options in Varenna — a real boutique villa rather than a chain hotel dressed up.
- It reads as a lived-in Italian home, not a themed property — reviewers repeatedly describe arriving and feeling like they'd come 'home' in Italy rather than just checking into a hotel.
- Not every room has air-con, so it can get warm in July and August — ask before booking, or request a room that catches the lake breeze.
- The Wi-Fi can be patchy, and a few rooms have limited power outlets, which is worth knowing if you need to work or charge several devices.
- This is a small B&B in a historic villa with no pool, spa, or 24-hour reception — if you want a full slate of hotel facilities, look elsewhere in the area.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Ask Laura where the locals actually eat — she knows Varenna better than any guidebook and often names places that don't show up online.
- If you're coming in peak summer (July to August), confirm air-con when you book or specifically request a room with good lake-breeze cross-ventilation.
- Take breakfast on the lakefront terrace rather than in your room — reviewers call the view-side breakfast the best meal of their trip, and it's the easiest way to plan the day's boat trips with Laura.