Hotel Royal Victoria, by R Collection Hotels

Great location with an amazing view of the lake. The breakfast was very good, helpful staff.

This hotel was EXCELLENT. We are an American couple traveling Italy on vacation. It is a quick walk down from the Varenna-Esino train station (we did it in the rain, even with your luggage its not a bad walk). The square the hotel is situated on is very cute and the hotel itself is incredible. We checked in and got our key - we were staying on the first floor which was great, we had easy access to our room. The keys were physical keys, not key cards. They attach a heavy duty hotel keychain to it (I swear, the thing was like 2lbs) which was a little silly, but we removed the keyring to minimize the weight of things we are carrying around. We were probably not supposed to do this, but given the weight of the keychain it felt like we had no other choice, you couldn't have put that thing in your pocket. The rooms had mini-splits that kept the room a good temperature, even in the August heat. We had incredible views from our window. The hotels itself is definitely old-fashioned, but they have done what they can to update it while keeping the charm. The beds can split into twin beds, which I was concerned about because those can be uncomfortable sometimes, but I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it was. The pool is relaxing and once you figure out how to get down to the water (thru the doorway to the right of the bar on the back patio), swimming in the lake is so refreshing. The staff took really good care of us, we especially loved our bartender, Aziz. He was incredibly welcoming and professional, we loved swinging by the bar to say hello. We loved staying in Varenna. If you are staying at this hotel for a few days, save yourself the headache and book your train out of the area in the morning! This is a popular day trip from Milan, so the crowds attempting to board the train at the end of the day are insane. We would definitely stay here again. Thanks Aziz!!

Our stay at Hotel Royal Victoria in Varenna was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed by the amazing staff, especially Aziz, who went above and beyond to ensure our stay was perfect. The views from this hotel are simply second to none—whether from our balcony, during breakfast, by the pool, or just about anywhere else on the property, the breathtaking scenery of Lake Como was always in sight. The hotel itself is beautiful, with elegant décor and a serene pool area that invites relaxation. It’s also incredibly convenient, with excellent links to all the main towns around the lake if you want to explore. Getting there was a breeze, as we took a train from Milan to Varenna station, and the hotel kindly arranged to pick us up from there or the nearby port. We’ve stayed at a few luxury hotels in the area, some of which were far more expensive, but Hotel Royal Victoria offered the same luxurious vibe without the hefty price tag. It truly exceeded our expectations, and we can’t recommend it enough for anyone looking to experience the best of Lake Como in style and comfort.

Peaceful lunch away from the crowds. Food was good quality, waiters were very personable and helpful, and the view was fabulous. We sat under the trellis next to the pool which was great as there was shade from the midday heat. I’d imagine the lower level seating directly above the lake would be amazing to sit at for dinner. Would recommend coming here unless on a budget.

Awful experience staying in this hotel. It’s a fabulous location and beautiful building but that’s where it ends. The room was small and we were above the kitchen so the room smelt of burnt cooking oil. We did make the staff aware but they didn’t offer to move us and were really unhelpful. They made out they had no idea of the problem!! But we found other complaints about the same issue from other travellers and also the porter mentioned they had issues with smell in these rooms.

Had an amazing stay here, great location in the center of town, very walkable and close to the botanical gardens. 10/10 recommend

Truly beautiful hotel in an amazing setting. The views are outstanding and the property offers everything you need. The staff was exceptional in their service and friendliness. We stayed in lake front room (112) and it had a spectacular view and large balcony to enjoy it on. Although it was a bit small by American standards, it worked just fine.