13 Best Hotels in Lake Como, Lombardy and the Lakes

In addition to Lake Como panoramas, this early-20th-century Art Nouveau landmark has marbled public spaces and guest rooms with floral fabrics, walnut wardrobes, and silk-covered sofas. Relax with a drink on the garden terrace, or enjoy a romantic meal, ensconced in a plush, red-velvet chair at the candlelit Bar delle Terme restaurant.

Most of the modern, inviting guest rooms at this comfortable, good-value old hotel—owned by an Anglo-Italian family and right in the center of Bellagio's action—have lake and mountain views, and the rooftop terrace garden is a perfect spot for drinks or dozing. There's a relaxed and congenial feel throughout, and the extensive buffet breakfast (included) wins rave reviews, as do the Italian specialties at the on-site restaurant.

Creature comforts in this turn-of-the-20th-century building—one of the top grand hotels on the lake—include a lush park, three heated swimming pools (one of them floats on pontoons on the lake), a small private beach, and sumptuous guest rooms where old-world style meets modern amenities. Get a lake-view room if you can: the Bellagio vistas across the water are spectacular, and for the ultimate splurge, the rooftop suites have their own terraces with heated, outdoor whirlpool tubs. The formal restaurant, Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi, serves seasonal cuisine and fresh fish with that same wondrous view from its terrace; L'Escale Trattoria & Wine Bar is a fun, casual option. Continue the pampering at the lovely T Spa, where you may splurge on a Spa Suite with private whirlpool tub, sauna, and Turkish bath.

The 19th-century luxury at this grand lake hotel—originally designed to cradle nobility and still a refined haven for the discreetly wealthy—has not so much faded as mellowed: guest rooms remain immaculate and plush; public areas are still awash with gilt ornamentation and marble; and breakfast is served in a ballroom. The staff are unobtrusive and very knowledgeable about lake transportation and sightseeing. One of the restaurants, Mistral, features inventive molecular gastronomy dishes along with a more traditional menu.

In Italian, belvedere means "beautiful view," and it's an apt name for this enchanting spot, where the modern rooms have classic touches such as antique furniture, decorative tiles, and marble bathrooms. The hotel has been in the Martinelli-Manoni family since 1880, and the unbroken tradition of service makes it some of the best lodging in town. Terraced gardens, a lovely pool, and a spa have replaced the vineyards that once surrounded the house.

Most of the large and comfortable rooms in this 1880s villa across from the ferry stop are furnished with interesting antiques and have splendid views of the lake. The impressive lobby has a vaulted ceiling and an imposing Florentine fireplace, and the restaurant and bar draw locals and visitors, who appreciate the friendly and helpful staff.

Amid a large garden on the hillside above Tremezzo, this hotel offers small, private, comfortably simple rooms; a pool with a nice view; and a popular restaurant that serves tasty Italian classics. A shuttle for arrival and departure at the Tremezzo ferry stop can be arranged.

Throughout this, the first European outpost of the luxe Il Sereno Hotel in St. Barths, you'll find floor-to-ceiling lake-view windows and an understated retro-mod aesthetic, with a muted palette of browns and grays complementing a panoply of wood, stone, leather, and copper accents. Thoughtful guest room touches include heated toilets and comfy beds; splurgeworthy penthouse perks include a private wraparound terrace and outdoor whirlpool tub. Relax by the infinity pool on the lake, sit amid the orange grove, and admire the vertical garden designed by architect Stefano Boeri, creator of Milan’s famous apartment buildings, Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest).

The nine 19th-century villas that comprise this Lake Como outpost of the extravagant Mandarin chain have been thoroughly updated for the 21st century, offering a quiet setting (just north of the busy town of Como) and luxurious amenities that include a 14,000-square-foot spa and a swimming pool that "floats" above the lake. Public areas, guest rooms, and suites have beautiful lake views; some accommodations also feature floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces or gardens. Dining options include the lakefront L˜ARIA restaurant, which serves Mediterranean cuisine, and the more casual CO.MO Bar & Bistrot. There's a car service available from the hotel to Como town and other destinations (for a fee), though it's first come, first served; since taxis on the lake are in limited supply (and quite expensive), it's best to have your own car if you plan to explore the rest of the lake.

Count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua and his family hosted artists and politicians at their 5-acre lakefront summer villa in Moltrasio, just north of Cernobbio, until the count's death in 1890 (a 2,700-square-foot suite with an opulent music room was reserved for Vincenzo Bellini while he composed operas—today, the aptly named Bellini and 23 other suites at Passalacqua have restored frescoes, Murano glass chandeliers, and luxurious soaking tub. Passalacqua is the De Santis family's latest luxury hideaway, in the vein of its sister resort, Grand Hotel Tremezzo. A tennis court, pool festooned with orange-and-white striped cushioned chairs and umbrellas, 15 fountains, and staff in ascots add to the atmosphere of a bygone era. Cocktails with garden-fresh herbs (such as a Lavender Gin Sour and Rose Petal Martini), are served in a cozy fire-lit bar, with a ceiling adorned in the Lucini family's coat of arms of three pikes, which is also the insignia on brass key chains, stationery, and embroidered robes. In the on-site restaurant, black-tied waitstaff present regional dishes such as perch and veal shank with Milanese risotto, all inspired by 19th-century botany books and served on Ginori 1735 porcelain.

Just a block from the lake, on downtown Como's pedestrian-only Piazza Volta, this boutique hotel has a minimalist modern interior that's in perfect keeping with its exterior—the 1931 building that houses it was designed by Rationalist architect Giuseppe Terragni. All guest rooms have soothing gray color schemes, marble bathrooms, and flat-screen TVs; some also have piazza views (and soundproof windows). Although breakfast isn't included, you can grab a coffee and pastry in the attached bistro, a stylish spot that becomes a hip local hangout come evening. The terrace overlooking the square is a great place to relax.

Europe's rich and famous have long favored this hotel, one of Italy's grandest, where rooms are done in Empire style; a broad veranda sweeps out to the lakefront; a swimming pool extends above the water; a restaurant offers top-notch views and cuisine; there are four private villas; and pavilions, miniature forts, and other follies ensure whimsical garden walks. Built on the site of a former nunnery as Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio's summer residence, this lakeside retreat has had a checkered history since its completion in 1568, swinging between extremes of grandeur and dereliction. Its life as a private summer residence ended in 1873, when it was turned into a fashionable luxury hotel.