Hotel Bellagio is a small property with a quiet and romantic vibe. The public areas are a bit bland, but views of Lake Como are almost unparalleled because of the hotel's hillside location. Stone steps lead to the hotel's iron front doors. Breakfast is served in a nondescript dining room with glass tables and wooden chairs. A better option is to sip morning espresso on the outdoor patio landscaped with overhanging trees and pretty views of Bellagio Village and Lake Como. There's a terrace with worn looking sun loungers and a brightly lit, albeit small, fitness center.

Hotel Bellagio is located up a short, and relatively steep, hill -- just a few feet from the public ferry on Lake Como which is world famous for its postcard appeal and celebrity residents. Some guests have complained that the hotel can be difficult to find, but the entrance is well-signed. The location in Bellagio Village means that its easy to walk to a plethora of nearby restaurants and shops. Lake activities, like swimming and sailing are easily accessed. In this part of the world, parking is at a premium. Guests are required to make parking reservations in advance, and pay a fee to use the tiny parking lot.

There are 29 decently sized guest rooms inside Hotel Bellagio. Each is clean with hardwood floors and minimal furnishings: a double bed (with striped blue and red comforters that may strike some as unattractive), small glass desk, single chair, and cupboard for storing clothes. A few framed photos of the lake add a much-needed dash of color to the white walls. Flat-screen TVs hang on the wall and Wi-Fi is free. Single-sink bathrooms with tiled walls and shower stalls could use an update. The real standout in some guestrooms are, of course, the views of sparkling blue Lake Como and the mountains just beyond. Some rooms have a private balcony -- others face the street.

Because Hotel Bellagio is a smaller property, there isn't much room for public features. The property works around the problem by offering guests access to Hotel Du Lac, which is about a 20-minute walk from Hotel Bellagio. At the second hotel, there's an outdoor swimming pool, sports club with tennis courts , and charming restaurant with lake views. Back at Hotel Bellagio, continental breakfast and Wi-Fi are free. Small pets are allowed. For more in the way of features and larger rooms (but farther from Lake Como), check out Hotel Cruise.