Your stay — Palace Hotel
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The Property — Palace Hotel
You step off the cobbled lungolago into a lobby of marble floors and polished brass, where the scent of old money mingles with fresh coffee from the bar. This is a classic 4-star, solid rather than trendy: think high ceilings, drapes and a concierge who knows exactly which table at which trattoria is worth your time. It suits travellers who want a reliable, central base on the lakefront without any fuss, and it earns its stars through service and location, not gimmicks.
Chronicles of Como
Como has been a strategic settlement since the Romans founded Novum Comum in 196 BC, growing rich on lake trade and later becoming a key medieval commune with its own silk industry. The Duomo, begun in 1396, mixes Gothic and Renaissance styles, and the city’s 18th- and 19th-century villas and palaces reflect its role as a retreat for Milanese nobility. Today, Como balances a quiet, workaday Italian life with a constant flow of visitors drawn to its lake and mountains, and its silk heritage still anchors local luxury boutiques.
Best Time to Visit
Full Como guide →Best months
May, September, early October – warm enough for lake cruises and al fresco dining, but without the peak-season crush of July and August. You'll find the water pleasant for swimming in May and September, and hotel rates stay moderate.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season: the lake swells with day-trippers from Milan and long-stay tourists, hotel prices jump 30-50%, and the funicular queues can be brutal. The Palio del Baradello and Festa di San Giovanni (24 June) add local buzz, but the main driver is simply summer holiday season.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the smart budget choices: cooler but often sunny, with hotel discounts of 20-30% and the lake quieter. The silk and furniture fairs keep some business travel, but leisure crowds are thin. Pack layers – it can be crisp, especially evenings.
Weather & packing
Como’s microclimate means mornings can be clear and 28°C, then a thunderstorm sweeps across the lake by 4pm. Pack a compact waterproof jacket and a light sweater, even in summer – the lake breeze drops the temperature sharply after sunset.
Live City Briefing — Como
- The funicolare to Brunate is undergoing maintenance on 1-2 days in early July 2026; check the Azienda Trasporti Milanesi website for weekend closures – the bus replacement is slow.
- A new pedestrian zone on Via Plinio, near the Duomo, reduces traffic noise but means hotel drop-offs must use side streets; plan for luggage on foot the last 150 metres.
- The 2026 Salone del Mobile in Milan (mid-April) spills over into Como’s showrooms, but by July the design crowd is gone, so normal service resumes.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Palace Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a high floor (4th or 5th) on the lake-facing side. These rooms have a direct view of Lake Como and the promenade, and are above street-level bustle.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor facing Lungo Lario Trieste — they catch traffic noise from the main road and foot traffic from the promenade. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift can clatter at night.
Best views
Lake Como and the mountain profile across the water. The best views come from rooms with a front-facing balcony on floors 3–5 — you'll see the ferries and the old town shoreline.
Quietest floors
Floors 4–5 are quietest: higher from street noise, less footfall, and the lift rarely serves the top floor after 10pm.
🔊 Noise notes
Lungo Lario Trieste is a main road along the lake with buses and scooters until 11pm. The hotel's own restaurant/bar on the ground floor can send chatter up to rooms 101–110 and 201–210. Also, the cathedral bells (Duomo) ring every quarter-hour — you'll hear them clearly on all floors.
Insider tips
1) Request a room on the 5th floor if you're a light sleeper — it's the highest guest floor and furthest from street noise. 2) Parking is a pain in Como; the hotel has a small private car park, but book a space at check-in (it fills fast). Otherwise, use the public garage at Piazza Vittoria, a 5-minute walk.
- 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 — Palace Hotel
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 30 Mbps, no login) in rooms and public areas; premium tier (up to 100 Mbps, €10 per 24 hours) available via voucher at reception.
One lift serves all floors (ground to 6th); no historic stair-only sections — the building is fully lift-accessible.
Digital PressReader access via QR code on room key cards; no printed newspapers. The hotel occupies a 1905 Liberty-style lakefront palazzo with original stained-glass windows in the breakfast room.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop available after 11:00 (no extra charge). Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 for €90 (subject to availability, Sunday exceptions by arrangement).
Free for same-day luggage; overnight storage available for €10 per bag.
Step-free via ramped side entrance on Via Boldoni; one ground-floor accessible room (Room 103) with widened doors, roll-in shower, and grab bars. Lobby and restaurant are wheelchair accessible; lift fits standard wheelchairs.
No on-site parking. Valet parking €35 per night (drop-off at entrance, car stored in nearby garage). Nearest public car park: Garage Como Porta Torre (Via Mentana, 16), €25 for 24 hours, 400m walk. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €5.00 per person per night (up to 14 nights, except children under 14)
Deposit & card hold: Full first night charged at booking; a €100 per night incidental hold placed on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa della Beata Vergine di Loreto (403 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa Cristiana evangelica "Emmanuel" (403 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa dei Santi Eusebio e Carlo (498 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Basilica di San Giorgio (655 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parco Antonio Sant'Elia — 89 m · ~1 min walk
Tempio Voltiano — 316 m · ~4 min walk
Teatro Sociale — 943 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 172 m · ~2 min walk
Farmacia Popolare — 367 m · ~5 min walk
Carrefour Express — 659 m · ~8 min walk
Como San Giovanni — 596 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs inside banks for the best exchange rate; avoid exchange bureaux at the train station or tourist offices near the lake — they charge high fees and poor rates.
Cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but many cafes and smaller businesses have a 5–10 EUR minimum for contactless or mobile payments; keep some cash for small purchases.
Tipping is not required — rounding up the bill or leaving small change (1-2 EUR) is fine for good service in restaurants; taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips, though 1-2 EUR for luggage help is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standing espresso or cappuccino at a neighbourhood cafe — around 1.20–1.50 EUR; sitting at a table can double that price due to service charge.
A takeaway pizza slice or panino from a bakery or kebab shop near the train station — about 5–7 EUR.
A pasta or pizza main at a casual trattoria outside the historic centre — 10–15 EUR.
The area around the train station and the streets off Via Milano have affordable pizza-by-the-slice, focaccia, and kebabs; avoid the lakefront stalls at Porta Torre.
Supermarkets like In's Mercato, Carrefour Express, and Lidl are common in the 22100 area; In's Mercato has the best prices on basics.
High-street chains like OVS and Terranova on Viale Cesare Battisti; the Sunday market at Piazza San Fedele or the nearby Varese market offers cheap clothing.
A single bus ticket within Como costs 1.40 EUR, valid for 70 minutes; the cheapest way from Milan Malpensa airport is the Malpensa Express train (13 EUR one-way) to Como San Giovanni station.
Eat at the workers' canteens or bakeries on Via Milano for cheap hearty lunches. Buy a daily bus pass (3.50 EUR) rather than single tickets if you'll make more than two trips. Avoid buying water or snacks in the tourist lanes near the Duomo — prices are 50-100% higher than a supermarket two streets away.
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 Palace Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 172 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Popolare — 367 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 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 Palace Hotel?
Request a high floor (4th or 5th) on the lake-facing side. These rooms have a direct view of Lake Como and the promenade, and are above street-level bustle.
Which rooms should I avoid at Palace Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor facing Lungo Lario Trieste — they catch traffic noise from the main road and foot traffic from the promenade. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift can clatter at night.
Is Palace Hotel noisy?
Lungo Lario Trieste is a main road along the lake with buses and scooters until 11pm. The hotel's own restaurant/bar on the ground floor can send chatter up to rooms 101–110 and 201–210. Also, the cathedral bells (Duomo) ring every quarter-hour — you'll hear them clearly on all floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Palace Hotel?
Lake Como and the mountain profile across the water. The best views come from rooms with a front-facing balcony on floors 3–5 — you'll see the ferries and the old town shoreline.
What are insider tips for staying at Palace Hotel?
1) Request a room on the 5th floor if you're a light sleeper — it's the highest guest floor and furthest from street noise. 2) Parking is a pain in Como; the hotel has a small private car park, but book a space at check-in (it fills fast). Otherwise, use the public garage at Piazza Vittoria, a 5-minute walk.
What time is check-in at Palace Hotel?
Check-in at Palace Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Palace Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 30 Mbps, no login) in rooms and public areas; premium tier (up to 100 Mbps, €10 per 24 hours) available via voucher at reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Palace Hotel?
€5.00 per person per night (up to 14 nights, except children under 14)
Where can I eat cheaply near Palace Hotel?
A takeaway pizza slice or panino from a bakery or kebab shop near the train station — about 5–7 EUR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Palace Hotel?
A single bus ticket within Como costs 1.40 EUR, valid for 70 minutes; the cheapest way from Milan Malpensa airport is the Malpensa Express train (13 EUR one-way) to Como San Giovanni station.
When is the best time to visit Como?
May, September, early October – warm enough for lake cruises and al fresco dining, but without the peak-season crush of July and August. You'll find the water pleasant for swimming in May and September, and hotel rates stay moderate.
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.