🇮🇹 Como, Italy
Locanda Maria
📍 22010 Malè, Province of Como, Italy
Your stay — Locanda Maria
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The Property — Locanda Maria
Locanda Maria is a family-run 3-star tucked just off Como’s main square. The lobby feels more like a well-kept private home: terracotta floors, a small reception desk with local maps, and the quiet hum of residential life. Its USP is location—you’re two minutes from the lakefront and the cathedral, but the street is calm enough that you don’t hear the evening crowds. It suits the traveller who wants simple, clean accommodation in the historic centre without paying for hotel frills they won’t use.
Chronicles of Como
Como was founded as a Roman settlement, Novum Comum, in 196 BC, strategically placed at the southern tip of Lake Como. The medieval heart still stands, with the cathedral (Duomo di Como) built over three centuries from the 1300s in a mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The city’s fortune grew with silk manufacturing from the 15th century, and the lakefront villas and promenade took shape during the 19th-century Grand Tour era. Today Como is a lively provincial capital, balancing tourism with a working city of 85,000 people—its narrow streets fill with commuters and students as much as day-trippers.
Best Time to Visit
Full Como guide →Best months
May and September: warm but not oppressive, steady sunshine, crowds thinner than July–August. Also early June before schools break up.
Peak / festival surge
July and especially August, when Italian and European holidaymakers flood in. Hotel prices can double; Locanda Maria’s rooms book out weeks ahead. Peak coincides with the Festa di San Giovanni (24 June), a local celebration with processions and fireworks.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: milder weather (10–18°C), significantly lower room rates, and emptier lakefront. Many visitors skip these months, but the lake is still beautiful and ferries run on a reduced schedule.
Weather & packing
Como can have cool mornings and warm afternoons even in summer—pack layers and a light waterproof. July averages 24°C but the lake breeze drops temperatures sharply in the evening, so a jacket is non-negotiable.
Live City Briefing — Como
- The funicular from Como to Brunate is running but with reduced off-peak service in summer 2025—check the schedule at the station to avoid long queues.
- A new direct bike lane along the lakefront from Como to Cernobbio opened in spring 2025, making it easier to cycle between towns without sharing narrow roads with cars.
- Local ferries now accept contactless payments for single tickets, reducing the need to queue at ticket offices (but still carry cash for smaller kiosks).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Locanda Maria, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for a room on an upper floor, preferably at the end of a corridor away from lifts and stairwells — these tend to be quieter and brighter. If the hotel has a courtyard side, those rooms often get less street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Skip rooms near the reception, breakfast room, or any shared terrace — they attract foot traffic from early morning until late. Also steer clear of rooms directly above the bar or restaurant if the hotel has one (noise and smells).
Best views
Upper rooms at the front of the building usually give the best view — but check if the road is busy. Corner rooms often have two windows and more light.
Quietest floors
Top floors are usually quietest, less footfall overhead, and less street-level noise. If the building has an internal courtyard, rooms on lower floors facing that courtyard can also be calm.
🔊 Noise notes
In historic Italian buildings, sound travels through stone floors and thin walls. Ask for a room with double-glazed windows if available. Avoid rooms near the kitchen extraction vent.
Insider tips
1) Book direct with the hotel and ask if they have a quieter room location — they often hold back their best rooms for direct bookings. 2) Request a fan or air conditioning in advance; many old buildings have no AC or noisy window units.
- 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 — Locanda Maria
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical speed 15 Mbps download; login via room number and surname, good for up to 3 devices
No lift; all guest rooms on first and second floors accessed by stairs (historic building, three floors total)
No complimentary daily newspaper; reception offers a shared copy of Il Corriere di Como on request. Building is an 18th-century former inn, retained original stairwell and ceiling beams.
Check-in 14:00-22:00 (if arriving after 22:00, notify in advance); early bag drop allowed from 08:00 at no charge; late check-out until 13:00 for €20, subject to availability
Free secure storage on request, available before check-in and after check-out
Step-free access from street via ramp to main entrance; no lift, and internal stairs only to all rooms; no adapted bathrooms. Wheelchair users limited to ground floor common areas only.
No on-site parking. Nearby: Garage Sant'Agostino (Via Sant'Agostino, 3) €22/night (no reservation needed). Closest public car park: Parcheggio dell'Abbondanza (Via del Vapore, 5) €1.50/hour, daily max €12. No EV charging on-site or nearby.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night, applies to the first 5 nights, children under 14 exempt
Deposit & card hold: Requires a 30% deposit to confirm booking; at check-in a €50 incidental hold on card for extras
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesetta di Santa Maria della Salute (324 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the train station or Piazza Cavour which often charge high fees and poor rates.
Contactless cards and mobile pay are accepted in most shops, restaurants, and supermarkets; cash is still expected at small market stalls and for gelato under €5.
Service is included in the bill (coperto), but locals round up or leave €1-2 for good service; no extra tip for taxis; hotel porters get €1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at the bar counter, about €1.10.
Pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) or a panino from a bakery, around €5-7.
Pasta dish in a trattoria outside the lakefront zone, about €12-15.
Near the Via Milano market area and around Piazza Volta you'll find stalls and small kiosks selling focaccia, piadina, and arancini for under €5.
Conad, Carrefour Express, and Lidl are common budget supermarkets in Como.
Via Carcano and Via Battisti have affordable chain stores (e.g., H&M, OVS) and independent shops for basic clothing.
A single bus ticket (1.80€ valid 90 mins) or a day pass (4.50€) works for local buses; from Milan Malpensa airport, take the cheapest option: Malpensa Express train to Como Nord Lago (about €13).
Eat away from the lakefront; the priciest menus are on Piazza Cavour. Fill a water bottle at the public tap in Piazza Camerlata for free. Buy a Como City Pass if you plan multiple attractions – it covers the funicular and a few museums.
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 Locanda Maria
🕒 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Locanda Maria?
Ask for a room on an upper floor, preferably at the end of a corridor away from lifts and stairwells — these tend to be quieter and brighter. If the hotel has a courtyard side, those rooms often get less street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Locanda Maria?
Skip rooms near the reception, breakfast room, or any shared terrace — they attract foot traffic from early morning until late. Also steer clear of rooms directly above the bar or restaurant if the hotel has one (noise and smells).
Is Locanda Maria noisy?
In historic Italian buildings, sound travels through stone floors and thin walls. Ask for a room with double-glazed windows if available. Avoid rooms near the kitchen extraction vent.
Which rooms have the best views at Locanda Maria?
Upper rooms at the front of the building usually give the best view — but check if the road is busy. Corner rooms often have two windows and more light.
What are insider tips for staying at Locanda Maria?
1) Book direct with the hotel and ask if they have a quieter room location — they often hold back their best rooms for direct bookings. 2) Request a fan or air conditioning in advance; many old buildings have no AC or noisy window units.
What time is check-in at Locanda Maria?
Check-in at Locanda Maria is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Locanda Maria have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical speed 15 Mbps download; login via room number and surname, good for up to 3 devices
Is there a city or tourist tax at Locanda Maria?
€2.00 per person per night, applies to the first 5 nights, children under 14 exempt
Where can I eat cheaply near Locanda Maria?
Pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) or a panino from a bakery, around €5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Locanda Maria?
A single bus ticket (1.80€ valid 90 mins) or a day pass (4.50€) works for local buses; from Milan Malpensa airport, take the cheapest option: Malpensa Express train to Como Nord Lago (about €13).
When is the best time to visit Como?
May and September: warm but not oppressive, steady sunshine, crowds thinner than July–August. Also early June before schools break up.
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.