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A crystalline glacial lake surrounded by forests and fields and with the towering Alps as a spectacular backdrop, Lake Como has been attracting visitors since Roman antiquity. Its long and rich history, picturesque setting, and warm Mediterranean climate have made the region famous throughout the modern world, drawing a wealthy and glamorous crowd for more than 100 years. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy, families can enjoy a relaxing stay in the beautiful natural surroundings, while couples can enjoy a romantic and cultural getaway. Outdoor enthusiasts will be delighted to explore the water sports, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities available in the region. To cater for the annual influx of visitors, historic mansions, old inns,
Best Overall: Grand Hotel Tremezzo
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Built more than 100 years ago as an exclusive escape for the cream of the crop of European high society, Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a luxurious and sophisticated lakeside destination. Rooms and suites are filled with opulent furnishings, such as gilt bed bases, velvet upholstery, and ornate lamp fixtures, and offer magnificent lake views from wrought-iron balconies. The hotel has three pools, including a floating pool on Lake Como, the tranquil garden pool surrounded by lush trees and vibrant flowers, and an infinity pool located in the T Spa.
The T Spa offers private suites for couples, hammam rooms and beauty studios. Treatments include Turkish baths, steam baths, ice showers, herbal body treatments, and Swedish, hot stone and deep tissue massages. The hotel’s five restaurants and bars include the acclaimed La Terrezza, with signature dishes prepared by Maestro Gualtiero Marchesi using only the freshest local, seasonal ingredients. Meals are served on a stunning elevated terrace, offering unparalleled views across the lake towards the town of Bellagio.
Best budget: Hotel Olivedo
Located in the town of Varenna, a short walk from ferry and train connections and with uninterrupted views of the lake, Hotel Olivedo is a family-owned boutique hotel full of quaint charm. Housed in an Art Nouveau building clad in a warm yellow exterior, guests enter through an attractive marble-lined lobby featuring a chandelier and curved wooden staircase. The hotel’s ten rooms are decorated in kitsch and homey decor, with floral-patterned duvet covers, wooden headboards, and colorful prints adorning the walls. Bathrooms are simply decorated with tile floors and white porcelain fixtures, and in west-facing rooms, glass balcony doors open to reveal views over the lake. The hotel’s restaurant serves a free continental breakfast and homemade Italian dishes. with an attached dining terrace for al fresco lunches and dinners. The restaurants and bars that surround the old town square of Piazza San Giorgio, the historic Villa Monastero and the Vezio Castle are within walking distance of the hotel.
Best Boutique: Il Sereno
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A recent addition to the wide range of boutique properties that line the shores of Lake Como, Il Sereno is a sleek, modern hotel that makes an eye-catching statement while effortlessly blending into its historic surroundings. This synergy of old and new is no more evident than in the full-service SPA, where historic stone walls alternate with polished Italian marble. Here, 30 rooms and suites offer expansive views through floor-to-ceiling windows and from comfortably furnished balconies. Furniture is modern, minimalist, and designed for simplicity and comfort.
The Berton al Lago restaurant is quickly making a name for itself as one of the best restaurants in the region; managed to snag a coveted Michelin star in its first year of operation. Guests can dine in the elegant dining room, on the open-air veranda, with lake views framed by stone arches, or on a sunny terrace that extends directly over the water. A large infinity pool and adjoining terrace make for a relaxing spot to soak up the sun and enjoy the panoramic lake scenery.
Best Family: Hotel Belvedere
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Perched on a hill offering panoramic views of the lake, Hotel Belvedere is housed in an impressive 19th century building run by the same family for five generations. With beautiful tiered gardens stretching down to the lakeside and the use of the hotel’s bikes to discover the local area, families have the space and privacy to explore and spend relaxing time together in a way that may be hard to find elsewhere. most exclusive hotels in the region.
Families can take advantage of the private apartments that have two or three bedrooms with double and single beds. The sleek, modern decor comes with just enough traditional accents to create a homey feel, and the kitchens and living spaces make for a comfortable and comfortable stay. The lake view apartments feature furnished balconies where guests can enjoy a private dinner while gazing at the stunning lake backdrop. In the restaurant, classic Italian food receives a gourmet twist with an emphasis on fresh local produce. Guests can dine in natural light in the elegant dining room or on the adjoining outdoor terrace, and all meals can be accompanied by a wide range of Italian wines.
Best Romance: Relais Vita Vittoria
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With just 12 rooms in a quiet lakeside location, guests staying at Relais Vita Vittoria are assured of a relaxing and peaceful stay. Grassy gardens lead to the lakeside and an exquisite infinity pool is set in an atmospheric courtyard of stone columns, flower-covered trellises, and towering pine trees. The spa contains a large Jacuzzi, steam room and a relaxation corner overlooking the lake. Guests can enjoy a variety of oriental, Arabic and Mediterranean massages, as well as aromatherapy and hot stone sessions and facials.
Rooms strike the perfect balance between old and new, with linen curtains at the windows, mottled beige colors, and hand-carved furnishings that lend an elegant and timeless feel. The hotel offers a number of romantic experiences, including private intimate candlelight dinners under a jasmine-covered gazebo, sunset boat cruises on the lake, and personalized picnic baskets for casual lunches and dinners in a secluded corner of the gardens. With complimentary bikes and kayaks, guests can also cycle through nearby towns and countryside or paddle out on the lake.
Best Luxury: CastaDiva Resort & Spa
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At CastaDiva Resort & Spa, a variety of rooms, suites, and villas feature unique décor, but are characterized by elegant furnishings like delicately carved headboards, sumptuous velvet sofas, and intricate antique furnishings. Accommodations feature garden or lake views, many with private furnished balconies. The high-end suite has a terrace with a private pool. The spa is a prominent feature of the resort; It has unique and atmospheric treatment rooms created in a variety of attractive styles, from the massage rooms in a natural stone cavern to the clear glass floor of the salon and the swirling patterns within the steam room. There are also rooms for couples and a Turkish hammam. Therapies include caviar facials, almond oil and Himalayan salt peels and signature aromatherapy massages.
With enclosed and outdoor dining terraces, the property’s two restaurants make the most of its great lakeside location. The refined L’Orangerie serves delicious Mediterranean dishes and classic Italian cuisine is available at the Giardino Dei Sapori & Grill. The Bellini Bar serves appetizers along with handcrafted cocktails, premium wines and top-notch spirits.
Best for Foodies: Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
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With two excellent restaurants and three bars offering different atmospheres, the 95-room Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is a haven for lovers of fine food and fine wine. The only five-star hotel in Bellagio, the rooms and common areas within the palatial villa building are full of neoclassical touches. The flagship Mistral Ristorante is a Michelin-starred place that offers guests the best molecular food, using only the freshest seasonal ingredients in its tasting menu. La Goletta offers traditional Italian flavors in a warm and inviting setting of wood paneled walls, hardwood floors and soft lighting. Gourmet pizzas and focaccias can also be enjoyed at Bar Terrazza Darsena, an elegant outdoor terrace with beautiful lake views, and from the casual beach bar, which is located next to the outdoor pool just a few steps away. from the beach at the edge of the lake. Alternatively, Verri’s Bar is a historic place to relax in plush lounges and cushioned chairs while enjoying a refined atmosphere and relaxing live music. In addition to excellent dining and drinking options, the hotel also features the full-service Serbelloni spa, sauna, steam room, and indoor and outdoor pools.
Best Contemporary: Vista Palazzo Lago di Como
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One of the newer hotels in the Lake Como area, the Vista Palazzo Lago di Como is a wonderful example of understated luxury and excellent contemporary decor that is sympathetic to the history and culture of the surrounding region. Rooms are meticulously and simplistic in design, with polished hardwood floors, finely detailed rugs, and modern artwork adorning the walls. Bathrooms are a spectacular mix of glass, enamel tile, and polished marble, with deep soaking tubs and separate zero-entry showers.
Ristorante Sottovoce and Infinity Bar are rapidly building a reputation as the most trendy places to eat and drink in town. The mansard roof and plush restaurant seating create a cozy atmosphere, while floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a rooftop terrace. This elevation offers some of the best lake views found in Como. Alternatively, guests can choose to dine in the privacy of their suite, with a personal butler available to attend to all their needs. At the nearby marina, a boat and seaplane await to take guests on exciting adventures on or on the lake.
The best shore of the lake: Villa d’Este
Having played host to royalty, movie stars, and the wealthy since the 16th century, Villa d’Este is a famous lakeside palace set on nearly 25 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens. The luxurious rooms and private villas feature antique furniture and decor in a classic Renaissance style. The grounds contain tennis and squash courts and an excellent 18-hole golf course that winds through oak and pine forests. On the water, a terrace with a floating pool sits directly on the lake, and sailboats and canoes can be rented. Guests swimming in the pool or relaxing in the gardens can take advantage of light snacks and refreshing drinks served at the informal terrace bar.
When it comes to dining, guests can retreat to the Veranda’s refined enclosed terrace, where they can enjoy Italian-inspired dishes while overlooking the gardens. Il Platano restaurant offers simple but sophisticated dishes on the outdoor terrace overlooking the lake and gardens. In addition to the terrace, guests can enjoy a drink at the Canova Bar, a sumptuous and elegant space filled with marble columns, crystal chandeliers, and plush seating.
Our process
Our writers spent 4 hours researching the most popular hotels on Lake Como. Before making their final recommendations, they considered 25 different hotels and read over 80 user reviews (both positive and negative). All of this research adds to recommendations you can trust.
