Spend the night in Hotel Lario in Mezzegra on Lake Como… Driving to Lake Como on a rainy Friday, riding a tough gravel ride on Saturday and riding back on Sunday. That sounds like an April 1st joke but is just our reality this weekend. We look for a small hotel near the mapped out cycling route and book Hotel Lario in Mezzegra.
The three-star hotel is located just off the main road around Lake Como in Mezzegra. The rooms at the front have a beautiful view from the balconies over the water and the bay of Lenno. The classic exterior of the forty-room hotel gives the building a touch of grandeur. Today we pay 103 euros per night for a room (without breakfast). An undeniably competitive price-quality for the Easter period.
Hotel Lario has a separate front garden with an outdoor swimming pool to the left of the hotel, which is currently being completely renovated. You pay 15 euros per night for a spot in the spacious indoor garage.
At the Gothard tunnel we lose a lot of time due to traffic. In Lugano, the traffic pressure adds a bit of traffic jam stress. But that should not spoil the fun. In a good mood we open the door of Hotel Lario. The entrance gives a classic impression. The receptionist is friendly and assigns us a room 305 on the terzo piano. The classic feeling disappears in the corridor of the hotel because it gives a refreshed impression. There is still a faint smell of paint.
The rooms are neat and more modern than what the first impression of the hotel suggests. Perhaps modern is a bit strong, let’s keep it very solid or correct.
The classic exterior of the forty-room hotel gives the building a touch of grandeur. The rooms at the front have a beautiful view over the water and the bay of Lenno from the balconies.
Saturday we sneak out of the hotel early and jump on our bikes before dawn. We had a great night’s sleep in Hotel Lario. For an Easter period it is remarkably quiet on Lake Como. Perhaps the unstable weather is a bummer? During the busier summer months, the traffic rushing by will undoubtedly be audible in the rooms.
And then it’s already Sunday morning. The breakfast is less appealing to us. With great appetite we sign present at 7.30 am at the breakfast room. It is almost completely occupied by German pensioners who have eaten the entire breakfast buffet. And what no longer fits in the stomach is shamelessly wrapped in napkin paper. You know, an organized group trip with a coach that is about to leave…
The coffee comes from a machine and is lukewarm. The fruit juice comes from a vending machine and tastes like water. We spoon some cold leftover scrambled eggs and bacon on our bread.
The group of German tourists is typical for this type of hotel. They are large hotels, solid and correct hotels which not necessarily have to change what is good and are running on efficiency. The tour operators book, the tourists are satisfied and the rooms are booked. And there’s nothing wrong with that at all. Nevertheless, we emphasize the more than ideal location, the parking and of course the view.
Hotel Lario will certainly charm if you have the right expectations and consider the hotel as a base. Know that the ferry boat leaves a five minute drive if you would like to make a crossing to Bellagio or Varenna. Breakfast is also optional… Go enjoy a fresh espresso and cornetto in a coffee bar around the corner!
