Our In-Italy representative who visited here has experienced many of the delights that Italy has to offer, yet they remain enchanted specifically from their visit to this hotel until this day! Of course personal tastes are subjective, but we feel quite certain that in this case you will agree and not regret your choice to stay at the Hotel Eremo Gaudio.
When you stay here you will be conveniently just 600 metres from the centre of Varenna, which is a very charming and friendly town. You can take a stroll to town for dinner and since the last 100 metres are quite steep, you will certainly work up an appetite. Talking of dinner, you have the choice to dine in the hotel restaurant where between Easter and October, both lunch and dinner are served if you don't feel like a stroll. The prices are affordable and the menu is classic Italian. When the weather is good you can dine out on the terrace with the wonderful panoramic views, the same goes for the breakfast buffet which is available in the same place in the mornings.
Read more about Hotel Eremo Gaudio
The upper part of the hotel is a beautiful historic stone building that was previously a religious home. It was converted into a hotel in the year 2000. Here you are approx. 350 metres above sea level where the views are second to none.
Beyond its intoxicating views, the hotel Eremo Gaudio offers many other attractive features. On the lower level is the red building which houses the reception and also a bar (with the possibility of internet connection), the sun terrace and half the rooms. From here there is an outdoor elevator in the form of a cable car which takes you up to the upper and older part of the hotel where the rest of the rooms are, and where there is also a terrace with stunning views and a beautiful old chapel. Having to travel between floors in a cable car is itself a unique feature of this charming hotel! There are in total 4 elevators to take you between buildings.
The hotel's location above Varenna and in the heart of the mountains lends itself well as an ideal starting point for hiking and walking without having to take the car; to visit the nearby castle medieval Castello di Vezio for example. Do not miss a visit to the botanical garden of Villa Monastero, and the boat trip to discover the picturesque villages of Bellagio and Menaggio on the shores of the lake. You can also take the train from Varenna centre for a shopping spree to Milan ... experience the chaotic atmosphere of the city and be back in this peaceful haven within around an hour's train ride. Trains depart around every two hours to Milan from here. The train station is within walking distance from the hotel (about 500m). Please note that tickets are not available at the station but from the tobacconist, this is why we advise you to buy tickets the day before but pay attention to the opening hours as they are not open late.
There is free parking for guests at the hotel on a first come, first served basis. There is usually space for everyone but the hotel cannot guarantee that. The hotel has two lovely sun terraces where you can relax and enjoy the magnificent views and have breakfast there during the summer months. The railway line does run quite near to the hotel, just below, but it is not very loud and the last train is at around 23.00. We just feel that we should mention it.
The rooms are pleasant and simply furnished, not fussy but functional. They are not necessarily the highlight of this hotel, but are sufficient enough for a three star hotel. All rooms have a bathroom with a toilet, shower and hairdryer. They also offer a mini-bar, satellite TV, safety deposit box and air conditioning. Outdoor furniture on the balconies is either plastic or wicker. 15 rooms are located in the lower part of the hotel (standard rooms) and 13 in the upper (superior rooms). They all have views of the lake. The rooms can accommodate 2, 3 or 4 people (bunk beds).
Standard with view on the lake
- These rooms are located in the lower part.
Standard with balcony and lake view
- These rooms are located in the lower part.
Standard Extra with terrace and view of the lake
- These 3 rooms are spread around with three in the bottom (recently renewed with a terrace). Extra bed is not possible.
Superior lake view
- These rooms are located in the upper part.
Superior with balcony and lake view
- These rooms are located in the upper part.
Tremezzo Mini-Suite with garden and lake view
- This suite is located in the upper part of the hotel and provides access to a small garden with panoramic views of the lake and a small green lawn. It is possible to add a bed in this suite. From the mini-suite you can hear a little bit of noise from the cable car.
Teodolinda Suite with balcony (terrace) overlooking the lake
- This suite is located in the upper part and gives access to a large loggia (covered terrace) with panoramic views of the lake. It is possible to add two beds (bunk bed). From this suite there is a little bit of noise from the cable car passing outside.
Its the location which really makes the difference here: fantastic view over a big part of the como lake. The hotel is with fairly standard but nice - we had a big room with good beds and a small but well function bathroom with shower. We were staying at the very top (room with balcony and sea-view) and enjoyed our big terrace, where there was sun from 11 am and the rest of the day. The hotel is located in the outskirts, which also makes it relatively quite, but with a bit of noise from the road the the trains for the people sleeping downstairs. At the top floor you do not sense the same noise.
We got a very kind welcome, thorough introduction and then directions to the room on the mountain.
First a floor by stairs, then a long funicular, and then change to a shorter funicular which stopped by the house on the mountain. On additional floor up by stairs, and our room "Bellagio" were there. To go out on the balcony here, were like being between the sky and the sea. The lake far far below and the sky above. We have never seen a more beautiful view. Absolutely breathtaking.
From now on the balcony door were only closed, when we weren't home. From the double bed we lay and looked over the town Bellagio and further on to the opposite lake bank. Fantastic, when the light were on all around the lake in the evening. Furthermore at this altitude, it was windless. Always a gentle and cooling breeze.
The hotel is located in the outskirts of the town, and the standard is fine. Kind staff, nice and clean, and peaceful location. If I were to find something which wasn't that good, it would be the breakfast. It was really dull.
