Lake Como, Italy has been on the top of my bucket list for as long as I can remember and after visiting this year I’m here to tell you to move it to the TOP of yours!
Lake Como is located in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region right at the foot of the Alps along the Swiss border. Most people think Lake Como is the largest lake in Italy, but that title goes to Lake Garda. Lake Como in fact is the deepest lake in Italy, which contributes to it’s cold water, even in the Summer, along with fact that it’s a lake of glacial origin which actually helped form it’s distinctive “Y” shape.
Lago di Como, as it’s locally known, is a premier resort destination renowned not only for it’s lush mountains and charming villages, but also for it’s luxury hotels and elegant villas scattered along it’s shoreline. Each property is more magnificent than the next and they all tell a unique story through architecture, decor and exceptional service.
Lake Como is easily one of the most beautiful places on earth and you truly can’t even understand how magical it is until you see it with your own eyes.
Where to Stay in Lake Como: 12 Best Luxury Hotels
Whether you see historic grandeur or modern sophistication, this collection of the best luxury hotels in Lake Como promises that no matter which one you book you’ll have an unforgettable trip.
I’ve also outlined the best time to visit Lake Como to help you plan your trip.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Located in Tremezzo on the western shores of Lake Como.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a 5-star ultra luxurious villa turned hotel on Lake Como and in my opinion the BEST hotel on the lake.
Owned by the De Santis family, Grand Hotel Tremezzo is home to 80 elegant rooms and suites along with a private villa, Villa Sola Cabiati (it’s rumored Taylor Swift stayed here during a recent visit to Lake Como) that are all decorated in an opulent blend of Belle Époque style and modern comfort. Think hand-painted ceilings, plush velvet upholstery, private balconies, marble sinks…true historical grandeur.
Amenities:
3 Distinct Pools:
- WOW (water on water) floating pool situated on the lake itself (one of the coolest things you’ll ever see!)
- Flowers pool – an outdoor heated swimming pool with perfect afternoon sun and views of the lake and the botanic garden located behind the hotel
- Infinity pool – located in the spa facing the lake with doors that can be folded back entirely or closed up on cooler days
Marina with 2 private jetties and vintage speedboats
Beach
5 Dining Options:
- La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi – fine dining restaurant
- L’Escale Trattoria & Wine Bar – casual dining restaurant
- da Giacomo al Lago – beach bar and restaurant
- T Bar – cocktail bar serving lunch, light bites and delicious drinks (highly recommend going here for an aperitivo before dinner or digestivo during their nightly piano bar performances)
- T Pizza – all day dining and cocktail bar near the Flowers pool
Five acres of olive and palm groves and botanical gardens
Tennis court
Full service spa with sauna, steam room and personalized treatments focusing on rejuvenation
Attractions nearby include:
Villa Carlotta
Hands down on of the most opulent and beautiful hotels I’ve ever stayed at in my life. If you ever have the chance to experience Grand Hotel Tremezzo take it! And if it’s not possible for you to stay there you can still visit the hotel by making a reservation at one of their many restaurants or stop in for a signature cocktail.
Fun Fact: In the 1930’s Greta Garbo filmed the movie, “Grand Hotel” here and refers to Grand Hotel Tremezzo as, “that sunny happy place.”
Villa d’Este
- Located in Cernobbio just a short drive from Como at the base of the lake.
- Villa d’Este is a former 16th century royal residence turned luxe 5-star hotel with 25 acres of lush gardens and breathtaking views of the lake.
- One of the most celebrated hotels in the world, Villa d’Este has 152 spacious rooms located in both the Cardinal Building and the Queen’s Pavilion along with 4 private villas. Every 5-star accommodation is elegantly furnished with antique furniture and lush textiles along with modern amenities.
- Amenities:
- 2 Pools:
- Floating Pool
- Indoor Pool
- 5 Restaurants:
- La Veranda – fine dine restaurant
- Grill – cozy, casual restaurant in the garden
- Il Platano – Mediterranean and Japanese restaurant
- Sundeck Bar – casual all day dining adjacent to the floating pool
- Canova Bar – regarded as one of the most glamorous places to sip a cocktail on Lake Como since 1873
- Sporting Club with gym, sauna, tennis courts and jogging path
- Beauty Center
- 2 Pools:
- The staff is available to arrange a variety of experiences and activities for guests including cooking classes, lake cruises, wine tastings, cocktail classes, guided hikes and more.
- Fun Fact: Alfred Hitchcock filmed scenes for his debut feature film, “The Pleasure Garden” here in 1925.
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
- Iconic hotel located on the tip of Bellagio in the center of Lake Como. If you’re looking for a hotel truly in the center of it all then you’re not going to find anything better than Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. Not only is it situated in the perfect location on the lake for easy access to other popular towns and spectacular views, but it’s also located in the middle of Bellagio with easy access to everything around it.
- Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is a high end hotel from the 1850s and the only 5-star luxury hotel in Bellagio.
- This historic hotel blends classic, elegant luxury with modern comforts in it’s common areas and in everyone of it’s rooms and suites. While each accommodation is unique and continuously renovated they all include air conditioning, a king bed, flat screen TV and much more.
- Amenities:
- 5 Bars & Restaurants:
- Mistral – fine dining
- La Goletta – informal restaurant with regional Italian cuisine
- Verri’s Bar – historic American bar with smoking room and live music in the evenings
- Terrazza Darsena
- Pool & Beach Bar
- Baci da Bellagio – the new exclusive lakefront beach club with private beach area
- Panoramic Outdoor Pool
- Kids Indoor Pool
- Spa Luce de Lago is the largest wellness destination on Lake Como with treatment rooms, jacuzzi, sauna, hydropools, relaxation areas and more
- Fitness Center
- 5 Bars & Restaurants:
- Attractions nearby include:
- Bellagio Harbor
- Villa Melzi Gardens
- BOOK HERE
Il Sereno Lago di Como
- Located in Torno on the eastern shore of the Como branch, the southwest leg, of Lake Como.
- Il Sereno is an ultra chic all-suite hotel on Lake Como. All the 40 suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, grand high ceilings and a private terrace that is full furnished. Every suite is also waterfront with spectacular lake views.
- Unlike many of the other 5-star hotels on Lake Como, il Sereno stands out as a contemporary hotel with a very modern design.
- Amenities:
- Signature Restaurant & Bar:
- Il Serano al Lago – Michelin-starred restaurant
- Lobby Bar
- Full Service Spa located under the original, century old arches at the base of the hotel
- Waterfront heated freshwater infinity pool
- Private Beach and Dock
- 3 classic wooden boats available for private boat tours
- Fitness centre
- Signature Restaurant & Bar:
- A Leading Hotels of the World Hotel
- Fun Fact: Il Sereno has a sister hotel, Le Sereno, located in St. Barths.
- BOOK HERE
Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como
- Situated on the southeast side of Lake Como in the town of Blevio, a location that allows guests of this property to experience the most beautiful sunsets
- After a complete renovation, the 19th Century Villa Roccabruna is now the main villa of the Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como. The rest of the rooms, suites and private villas are set amongst nine distinguished buildings immersed in a centuries-old botanical park.
- The entire property combines modern Italian elegance with subtle oriental charm, while the rooms feature natural materials and muted palettes that induce a sense of calm and serenity that the Mandarin Oriental brand is known for.
- Formerly known as CastaDiva Resort & Spa
- Amenities:
- Gourmet Restaurants
- L~ARIA – fine dining restaurant by Chef Massimiliano Blasone serving Italian cuisine with Japanese touches
- CO.MO Bar & Bistrot – informal lakefront dining open daily from 11am to midnight
- Nami Cafe – poolside dining
- Floating pool
- Full service spa with holistic approach to wellbeing with private treatment rooms, zen garden, whirlpool, ice pool, saline bath, experience showers and more.
- Fitness Center
- Gourmet Restaurants
- I highly recommend enjoying an aperitivo at the CO.MO Bar & Bistrot to watch the sunset over the western shore of the lake. The drink menu is illustrated with photos of drinks and the Italian regions they were inspired by and just so beautiful.
- BOOK HERE
Hotel Villa Flori
- 4 star secluded hotel up the road from the town of Como
- Villa Flori is a restored 19th-century villa with all original stuccoes, floral frescoes and wooden floors. Villa Flori is the perfect marriage of romantic, elegant and contemporary.
- Panoramic views from the lobby allow you to catch a glimpse of the city of Torno, the dome of Como’s cathedral, the famous Volta Lighthouse and of course the Italian alps among much more.
- Amenities:
- Ristorante Raimondi
- In-room spa treatments available
- Cyclists are encourages and Villa Flori has a secure bike room
- Attractions nearby:
- Villa Erba
- Como Cathedral
- Cernobbio
- BOOK HERE
Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa
- Located in Menaggio halfway up on the western coast of Lake Como. One of the best locations if you plan on taking the ferry to multiple towns.
- Grand Hotel Victoria is a 5-star modern hotel that embraces its 19th century villa roots. This luxury hotel truly has timeless charm with a new, updated fee – think ornate chandeliers and marble columns along with contemporary furniture and clean white walls.
- Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa has been awarded 2 Michelin Keys, which identify excellence in the hotel experience.
- Home to the newly opened Victoria Beach, a beach club, restaurant and cocktail bar just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel! The Lido offers two infinity pools and a private beach.
- Amenities include:
- Heated Outdoor Pool
- ERRE Spa is a subterranean spa and includes an indoor heated swimming pool, various types of saunas, steam baths, emotional showers, salt room and numerous other areas.
- Restaurants:
- Lago Restaurant – authentic Italian restaurant with panoramic views of the lake
- 1827 Restaurant – Sushi and fusion bar
- Bar Manzoni – lounge bar (not to be missed)
- Bar Griso – Pool and garden bar
- Fitness center
- Part of the R Collection Hotels family and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
- Special offer for Hilton Honors members
- Fun Fact: They have the largest spa on Lake Como at 1200 square meters & it’s complimentary for all guests of the hotel and should not be missed if you’re staying here. I was absolutely blown away by it and thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
- BOOK HERE
Hotel Belvedere Bellagio
- Located in an 1880s historic building in Bellagio situated on an acre of land with private tiered lawn.
- The same family has owned and operated this 4 star hotel for five generations and consider it their family home therefore each guest is treated with the utmost care.
- Each room and suite in Belvedere Bellagio is different and is designed to be warm, soft and home-like. They even offer apartments ideal for a longer stay that include kitchenettes.
- Amenities include:
- Restaurant & Bar
- Albori – lunch & dinner restaurant
- Lounge Bar
- Pool Bar
- Outdoor pool & jacuzzi
- Spa including a steam beach, sauna, multi-sensory showers and ice room
- Fitness center
- Restaurant & Bar
- BOOK HERE
Palazzo Albricci Peregrini
- 15th century palace located in the historic center of the city of Como right near Piazza del Duomo
- Ten elegant rooms set around a serene courtyard make this modern boutique hotel perfectly Italian and unlike any of the other hotels on this “Where to stay in Lake Como” list.
- Palazzo Albricci Peregrini amenities include:
- Every morning the chef visits local producers to get seasonal ingredients to create their breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.
- Cooking classes
- Body treatments, yoga and meditation
- BOOK HERE
Passalacqua
- Ranked No. 1 on The World’s 50 Best Hotels located up on the hills in Moltrasio
- A private home since 1781, Passalacqua has since been turned into the most lush estate offering 24 suites throughout three estate buildings. Each suite is unique with jewel toned colors, 200 year old oak beams, high ceilings, ornate wall moldings and more.
- Passalacqua is the absolutely STUNNING “little” sister hotel to Grand Hotel Tremezzo also owned by the talented De Santis family. It is easily the most unique property on Lake Como and one of the dreamiest hotels I’ve ever toured.
- Amenities include:
- Terraced gardens
- Pool
- Bocce court
- Restaurants and bars for hotel guests only
- Spa with indoor pool
- Fitness Center & Yoga
- If you’re looking for a private, relaxing experience on Lake Como, this 5-star hotel is the choice. I would absolutely jump at the chance to stay here.
- BOOK HERE
MUSA Lago Di Como
- 5 Star luxury boutique hotel in Sala Comacina on the southwest side of Lake Como.
- A limited amount of guest rooms make this a truly cozy, unique experience, each of the 12 rooms are dedicated to 12 extraordinary historic women – the MUSES.
- MUSA Lago Di Como also has 4 private luxury villas available to rent.
- Amenities include:
- Restaurant & Bar
- Ristorante Roteo
- Bar Gaia – terrace bar overlooking the lake with signature cocktails and small bites
- Spa
- Lakefront outdoor pool
- Restaurant & Bar
- BOOK HERE
Villa Lario
- Villa Lario Resort is located on the southeast shore of Lake Como in the town of Pognana Lario.
- This luxury property sits on 2 acres of private gardens directly on Lake Como. Villa Lario offers all suite accommodations with living rooms, private terraces or balconies facing the lake and more situated in four different spaces.
- Amenities include:
- Outdoor pool
- Restaurant & Bar
- Il Palazzo lounge bar
- Villa Bianca Restaurant
- Private pier
- Villa Lario offers Pranzo della Domenica, a Sunday meal and celebration every week featuring a leisurely, multi course meal.
- BOOK HERE
PIN my Lake Como Hotel Guide for LATER:
Heading to Southern Italy? Check out my Taormina, Sicily Travel Guide to help you plan an equally amazing Italian vacation!
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