🇮🇹 Como, Italy
B&B Le Ortensie
📍 Via Mario Prada, 8, 22020 Molina CO, Italy
Your stay — B&B Le Ortensie
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The Property — B&B Le Ortensie
Le Ortensie is a modest three-star B&B in a residential part of Como, a ten-minute walk from the lakefront. It feels like a clean, quiet bed-and-breakfast that suits couples or solo travellers who value sleep and a good breakfast over frills. The small lobby is tiled and tidy, with a desk where the owner hands you a local map and points out the bus stop. The USP is honest practicality: decent value for a city that surges in June, plus a garden where you can sit out in the evening.
Chronicles of Como
Como was founded by the Romans in 196 BC as 'Novum Comum', a strategic garrison town at the southern tip of Lake Como. Its medieval centre was shaped by the Visconti and Sforza dukes, who built the imposing city walls and the Broletto town hall. The Duomo, started in 1396, took nearly 400 years to finish, mixing Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Today Como is a prosperous commuter and tourist hub, known for its silk industry and as the gateway to the lake villas.
Best Time to Visit
Full Como guide →Best months
May and September: warm enough for lake cruises (20-25°C), full daylight until 8pm, and schools are still in session so the lakeside promenade isn't shoulder-to-shoulder.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the absolute peak; temperatures hit 30°C+ and the ferries are sardine-packed. Hotel prices typically double from June rates. The main event is the Palio del Baradello in late August — a medieval pageant that fills hotels for that weekend.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the best budget shoulder months: hotel rates drop 30-40%, crowds thin after Easter, and you get 15-20°C days — fine for walking the city and a short boat trip if you wear a jacket.
Weather & packing
June in Como can swing from 28°C sun to a sudden thunderstorm in an hour, thanks to the lake's microclimate. Pack a light rain shell over your summer clothes, and bring closed-toe shoes: the cobbles get slippery when wet.
Live City Briefing — Como
- The Funicolare to Brunate reopened fully in April 2025 after a year of track repairs; expect queues by 10am in June.
- The city council has extended the limited-traffic zone (ZTL) in the historic centre; check your hotel's parking arrangements or avoid driving into the walls.
- Lake ferry timetables for summer 2026 are not yet published, but note that the fast 'aliscafi' stop running after 5pm, so plan late lake trips on the slower car-ferries.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to B&B Le Ortensie, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (the lower of the two residential floors) facing the rear courtyard. These are easier to reach without a lift and quieter than rooms overlooking the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the second floor (top floor, no lift — lots of stairs) and any room facing Via Regina Teodolinda, which is a main road through Como and can be busy with traffic.
Best views
Rooms at the back (courtyard side) give a quieter outlook onto a typical Italian inner courtyard. Front-facing rooms have a view of the main road and surrounding buildings.
Quietest floors
First floor (the lower guest floor) is the quietest — less foot traffic below you and less noise from the street.
🔊 Noise notes
Via Regina Teodolinda is a busy thoroughfare in Como — expect regular traffic noise during the day and some through the night, especially on lower floors if windows are open.
Insider tips
1. Park at Autosilo Largo Leopardi (€20/24h) and walk 5 min — it’s the cheapest and most reliable option; no on-site parking. 2. If you have heavy luggage, request a first-floor room at booking — there’s no lift and you’ll carry bags up two flights to the second floor.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — B&B Le Ortensie
Free unrestricted Wi-Fi (10 Mbps average), no login required
No lift; all guest rooms on first and second floors (walk-up only, no stairs to reception)
Complimentary digital PressReader access via lobby iPad; no printed papers
Check-in from 14:00 to 20:00 (weekdays), 14:00 to 22:00 (weekends); late check-out EUR 40 until 12:00; early bag-drop at reception from 08:00
Free luggage storage in the ground-floor cloakroom during or after your stay
No step-free access; entrance has two steps, no wheelchair lift; rooms and bathrooms narrow (not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters)
No on-site or valet parking; public garage Autosilo Largo Leopardi (5 min walk) EUR 20 per 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: EUR 2.50 per person per night (mandatory, paid on arrival)
Deposit & card hold: 30% advance deposit due at booking; EUR 50 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Cappella Antica di Molina (70 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di Santa Margherita (323 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate (469 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Giuseppe (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Faggeto Lario Spaggio — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Como San Giovanni station or the tourist office by the lake – their rates are poor.
Cards are accepted in most restaurants, hotels and larger shops, but keep cash for small cafés, market stalls and the funicular; contactless works nearly everywhere cards are taken.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated – round up the bill at restaurants (5–10% if service was good), leave small change for taxi drivers, and tip hotel porters €1–2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standing espresso at a bar costs about €1.10–€1.30; sitting at a table near the lake will cost €3–€4.
A slice of pizza from a taglio (by the slice) shop or a panino from a deli costs €5–€8.
A main course of pasta or pizza in a trattoria away from the lakeside piazza costs around €12–€16.
The area around Piazza Cavour and the lanes off Via Vittorio Emanuele II has several pizza al taglio and panzerotti takeaway spots; also seasonal takeaway gelato is common.
Supermarkets include Conad, Carrefour Express and LIDL; there's a Conad on Viale Roosevelt and a Carrefour Express near the cathedral.
For affordable high-street shopping, head to Via Vittorio Emanuele II (OVS, Coin, H&M) and the Corso Unità d'Italia area.
The cheapest way around is walking – the historic centre is compact. For longer trips, a single urban bus ticket (€1.40) or a 24-hour pass (€3.70) from tabacchi; from Milan airports, the cheapest is the direct bus (FlixBus or ASF Autolinee) from Malpensa or Linate for €10–€15, not the train.
1) Eat lunch at a bar or takeaway – restaurant prices jump after 12:30. 2) Buy a daily funicular ticket (€5.90 return) rather than a return from the hotel or a guided trip. 3) Fill a water bottle at the free public fountains (fontanelle) around town – tap water is safe and good.
Good to know — Como
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Como, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at B&B Le Ortensie
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Como San Giovanni station → El Paso Ranch, Via Martino
💡 Use lines C50 or C52; ask driver for stop ‘El Paso’ or walk 10 mins from Piazza Roma.
Como Grandi Stazione (bus stop outside the train station) → Bruzella stop (Via ai Colli, near La Collina)
💡 Buy a ticket (€1.50) from the tabacchi or newsstand near the station—validation is mandatory on board. The bus is steep and winding, so grab a seat. After Bruzella, walk uphill 5 mins; the residence is the first driveway on the right after the hairpin bend.
Como city centre (Piazza Matteotti) → Hotel Casa di Teresa Confalonieri Casati (stop: Via Carcano/Cernobbio)
💡 Bus C50 goes closer to the hotel (stop at Via Carcano, 200m walk). C40 stops at Piazza Roma — a 10-minute walk uphill. Validate your ticket on board, or buy via the 'Como Urbano' app to avoid cash.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) → Hotel La Sorgente, via xx, Como
💡 Book in advance with an official 'NCC' car service for fixed rates around €100-120. Avoid drivers who approach you outside arrivals; they may overcharge or take indirect routes.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), taxi rank outside arrivals → B&B Le Ortensie, Via Gallio 22, Como
💡 Agree the price before getting in – look for the fixed-rate sign at the taxi stand. For a group of 3–4, it's not much more than the bus. If you're arriving late, pre-book with a Como-based taxi service like Radio Taxi Como (+39 031 261 515) – the airport rank can be thin after midnight.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) → Residence La Collina & La Collinetta, Como
💡 Pre-book with a local company like Comotaxi or TaxiComo to avoid surge pricing. The hotel is on a hill near San Fermo, so drivers may charge an extra €10 for the steep last stretch.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) → Casa di Teresa Confalonieri Casati, Como
💡 Book a fixed-price transfer online beforehand — local taxis at the airport often charge €20–30 more. The hotel can arrange a driver for a similar rate.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Terminal 1 bus stop → Como Grandi Via Gallio bus station (5 min walk from B&B Le Ortensie)
💡 Buy tickets online in advance to skip the queue at the airport machines. The bus drops you by the lake; the B&B is a flat 5-minute walk east along Via Gallio. No shuttle runs after 10.30pm, so for late arrivals, take the Malpensa Express train to Como San Giovanni station instead.
Malpensa Airport (MXP) Terminal 1 → Como San Giovanni station
💡 Change at Saronno to a regional train; buy a return for 20% off.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), airport station → Como San Giovanni railway station (10 min walk from B&B Le Ortensie)
💡 The train arrives at Como San Giovanni (south end of town). From there, walk north along Viale Innocenzo XI for 10 minutes – the B&B is on Via Gallio. Avoid buying at the machine if you have a contactless debit card: tap in and out at the gate for the same price.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), bus stop at Terminal 1 arrivals → Como Grandi Stazione (San Giovanni, the main bus station)
💡 Buy a return ticket (€28) on the Terravision or Nordbus website—cheaper than two singles. From the station, take bus C10 to the stop 'Bruzella' then walk 5 minutes uphill; the residence is at Via ai Colli 10.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) → Hotel La Sorgente, Como
💡 Buy a combined ticket from MXP to Como Lago station. At Milano Centrale change platforms but stay in the same direction. From Como Lago station: Hotel La Sorgente is a 10-minute walk north along Lungolago Trento. Cheaper than taxi, but takes longer.
About Como
Wikipedia ↗
Como (Italian: [ˈkɔːmo] , locally [ˈkoːmo] ; Comasco: Còmm [ˈkɔm], Cómm [ˈkom] or Cùmm [ˈkum]; Latin: Novum Comum) is a city and comune (municipality) in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como. Its prime location on the southwestern branch of Lake Como and its pro...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at B&B Le Ortensie?
Request a room on the first floor (the lower of the two residential floors) facing the rear courtyard. These are easier to reach without a lift and quieter than rooms overlooking the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at B&B Le Ortensie?
Avoid rooms on the second floor (top floor, no lift — lots of stairs) and any room facing Via Regina Teodolinda, which is a main road through Como and can be busy with traffic.
Is B&B Le Ortensie noisy?
Via Regina Teodolinda is a busy thoroughfare in Como — expect regular traffic noise during the day and some through the night, especially on lower floors if windows are open.
Which rooms have the best views at B&B Le Ortensie?
Rooms at the back (courtyard side) give a quieter outlook onto a typical Italian inner courtyard. Front-facing rooms have a view of the main road and surrounding buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at B&B Le Ortensie?
1. Park at Autosilo Largo Leopardi (€20/24h) and walk 5 min — it’s the cheapest and most reliable option; no on-site parking. 2. If you have heavy luggage, request a first-floor room at booking — there’s no lift and you’ll carry bags up two flights to the second floor.
What time is check-in at B&B Le Ortensie?
Check-in at B&B Le Ortensie is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does B&B Le Ortensie have Wi-Fi?
Free unrestricted Wi-Fi (10 Mbps average), no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at B&B Le Ortensie?
EUR 2.50 per person per night (mandatory, paid on arrival)
Where can I eat cheaply near B&B Le Ortensie?
A slice of pizza from a taglio (by the slice) shop or a panino from a deli costs €5–€8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from B&B Le Ortensie?
The cheapest way around is walking – the historic centre is compact. For longer trips, a single urban bus ticket (€1.40) or a 24-hour pass (€3.70) from tabacchi; from Milan airports, the cheapest is the direct bus (FlixBus or ASF Autolinee) from Malpensa or Linate for €10–€15, not the train.
When is the best time to visit Como?
May and September: warm enough for lake cruises (20-25°C), full daylight until 8pm, and schools are still in session so the lakeside promenade isn't shoulder-to-shoulder.
Top Attractions in Como
💡 The tower climb costs €2 and gives panoramic views, but skip it if queues are long – better to walk up to Brunate for free views.
💡 Climb the worn stone staircase to the upper gallery for an elevated view of the cathedral square, especially good at sunset.
💡 Walk the full stretch at sunset for the best light on the lake and mountains. Stop at the public fountain near the war memorial for a free drink of cold mountain water.
💡 Look for the 13th-century fresco of St. Christopher on the left wall. Combine with a visit to the nearby Piazza San Fedele for a coffee at Bar Mazzini – locals’ spot, not touristy.
💡 Look for the carved capitals on the columns inside—they show medieval scenes including a hunting cycle, rarely pointed out in guides.
💡 Sit on the steps near the ferry dock at sunset for free entertainment—locals gather for impromptu music and the light turns the water silver.
💡 Check the small crypt below the altar — it's usually open and contains early Christian remnants. Combine with a walk through the adjacent old fish market square.
💡 Stand below the gate at sunset for photos—the light hits the stone nicely, and you can read the historical markers in Italian and English.