by Kiki Deere, The Telegraph, January 8, 2018
An insider's guide to the most romantic Lake Como hotels, including the best for Michelin-starred restaurants, pampering spas, floating swimming pools, exquisite rooms with lake views and tennis courts, in Cernobbio, Laglio, Brunate and Varenna.
Villa d'Este Cernobbio, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
This is one of the great hotels of Italy, built as a summer palace in the 16th century, and later owned by Princess Caroline, estranged wife of the future George IV. There are wide hallways and a sweeping staircase, important sculptures, show-stopping flower arrangements and a huge terrace that extends along the lake, with a floating swimming pool below. Rooms have silks, brocades and marble bathrooms. The glass-enclosed Pavilion serves superb buffet breakfasts. Read expert review. From £430 per night.
• The best Italian Lakes hotels
Hotel Belvedere Lake Como, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
The hotel is set on a hillside among gorgeous tiered grounds shaded by olive trees, commanding wonderful views of the Lecco arm of the lake. It first opened its doors in 1880, and has since been run by five generations of women of the Martinelli family. Beautiful terraced gardens lead down to the lakefront, and there’s a swimming pool with lovely views. Added little touches are what really make this place special, such as the wicker baskets with books placed by the poolside. There's also a spa. Read expert review. From £119 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
• Where to stay and what to do on the Italian Lakes
Grand Hotel Tremezzo Lake Como, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
A stylish five-star property with Art Nouveau interiors a stone’s throw away from Villa Carlotta. Public rooms are decorated with lavishly appointed fabrics, period furniture and antique paintings and prints. Lush gardens at the back of the hotel occupy an area of five acres. The hotel has a stylish floating pool on the lake. There are also tennis courts, and the spa has an infinity pool with five hydro-massage areas and sauna overlooking the lakes. Suite have private terraces, outdoor hot tubs and butler service. Read expert review. From £332 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni Lake Como, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
This opulent villa is one of the lake’s grandest hotels, nestled among lush gardens with camellias and magnolias, in an enviable location on Bellagio’s waterfront. Interiors feature stucco work and intricate frescoed ceilings, while rooms have classic-style furnishings. There’s a Michelin-starred restaurant, tennis court, two swimming pools, a spa, a private stretch of beach, and even a trampoline and diving platform on the lake. Spacious suites have elaborate fittings, chandeliers and antique furniture Read expert review. From £479 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
• The best Lake Maggiore hotels
Relais Villa Vittoria Laglio, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
Most of the hotels that ring Lake Como are traditional albergo (inn), whether grand or simple, plus a few privately owned bed and breakfast establishments. Villa Vittoria is an exception: with the feel of a lakeside villa, it’s more intimate, more boutique and more fashionable than most of the other choices. The style is unmistakably Italian, with glossy touches, but it also has a light, airy, almost Scandinavian feel. It is a fully-fledged hotel in miniature, with infinity swimming pool overlooking the lake and (small but attractive) spa. Read expert review. From £302 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Bellavista Boutique Hotel Brunate, Italy
7Telegraph expert rating
An atmospheric family-run hotel in the hilltop village of Brunate offering wonderful lake views. Interiors of the Art Nouveau villa have been lovingly restored, with original leaded glass windows and pinewood floors. There is a third-floor whirlpool tub and sauna that can be rented out at €30 (£26) for an hour and a half. Bedrooms have wrought-iron beds and colourful leaded glass windows that date back to the late 19th century. In the restaurant recipes have been passed down for generations. Read expert review. From £88 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Villa Regina Teodolinda Lake Como, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
It feels more like a private villa than a hotel or b&b. There’s no reception; you will be greeted by two caretakers who will show you to your room. Interiors are decorated in light-pastel-coloured hues. In the evenings the garden is lit up with fairy lights, which gives the place a charming atmosphere. There is also a swimming pool. Breakfast, the only meal offered, is typically enjoyed in the garden looking out over the lake. Book a suite for a separate living area and lake views. Read expert review From £121per nightCheck availabilityRates provided byBooking.com
Albergo Milano Varenna, Lake Como, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
A wonderfully romantic three-star hotel set in a typical lakeside building with parts dating back to the 17th century, and tucked away in the heart of Varenna. Most rooms have lake views, the welcome is genuine and the atmosphere laid back: the kind of place where you can casually nip down to the lake for a swim or while away the afternoon on the terrace with a drink in hand. In the rooms, bed frames are made with reclaimed wood or old iron gates, while the modern bathrooms have colourful mosaics; all have balconies. Read expert review. From £120 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
This article was written by Kiki Deere from The Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected].
Related Articles
Moving Slowly in the World’s Fastest Country
10 Incredible Italian Food Holidays for 2018
Italian Art and Culture Holidays: Where to Go and What to Book