Lake Maggiore is just a wonderful place! and anywhere you stay along the lake’s shore will be breathtakingly beautiful. What sets Stresa apart is its architecture. Much building took place here when Art Nouveau styles were fashionable, and in addition to the grand palazzos and traditional villas, Stresa has rows of Art Nouveau hotels and luxurious townhouses along the lake’s shore, which make it an especially elegant spot for a stroll, and attracts high end boutiques, restaurants, and a rich cultural calendar. Some of the best places to stay in Stresa are among these elegant rows, including one of the lake’s grande dames, though Stresa has some more affordable options too, villa conversions, and guesthouses. The town is also the ferry port for the three pretty Borromean Islands, and we have included accommodation highlights from the islands on our list of the best places to stay in Stresa.

The building of the grand hotels was preceded by the building of the Simplon Tunnel, which, in 1906, added Stresa to the train line linking London, Paris and Milan. This set the glamorous tone for visitors. Palaces built on the Borromean Islands had fantastic gardens where peacocks, pheasants and parrots roamed, while the whole region was sown with exotic plants, which have survived very well in the near Mediterranean weather conditions. As well as recommending the best places to stay in Stresa to travellers looking for a glamorous mini-break, we also recommend it to keen walkers — Stresa is well positioned for summiting Mount Mottarone, from the peak of which you can see both Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.

Stresa itself has a number of sights, including several gorgeous villas now open to the public — Villa Ducale and Villa Pallavicino are notable favourites. It also has rows of elegant shops and boutiques, and numerous bars and cafes with lakeside terraces and courtyard gardens. Stresa’s cultural calendar draws music lovers in July and August for the "Settimane Musicali", and there are smaller festivals and events held in the spring and autumn too. Stresa’s peaceful beaches, which are only about five minutes walk from the ferry dock, help make the best places to stay in Stresa perfect for families too.

The Best Places to Stay in Stresa

For Lakeside Luxury

• The Grand Hôtel des Iles Borromées is one of Lake Maggiore’s grande dame hotels, a strikingly elegant building in central Stresa, with opulent interiors and magical lake views. This is where to stay for the peak of old fashioned grandeur — think uniformly charming rows of lake-view balconies, chandeliers, gilt, great mirror, frescoes and murals, velvet, chaise lounges, plump cushions and huge windows. The facilities are five star, from the indoor and outdoor pools and impressive spa to the bar, gastronomic restaurant and library. And the gardens are quite something.

For Foodies

• The Hotel Verbano, a charming restaurant with rooms on the tiny island of Isola dei Pescatori, is ideal for both foodies, and anyone considering staying on one of Lake Maggiore’s islands. Its 12 rooms have beautiful lake views, and are simply decorated alongside the original features of the building, its terrace restaurant is one of the most wonderful places to be on the whole lake, and the communal areas are friendly. It’s perfect for a wedding of a honeymoon. 

Prefer a self catering Apartment or holiday Villa?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• The closest international airports to Stresa are Milan Malpensa, which is about 45 minutes drive, or an hour and a half on the train, and Milan Linate, which is just over an hour away by car. If you’re travelling by train there are plenty of large local stations to go via, including Zürich, Bern and Milan.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Summer is the most popular time to visit Lake Maggiore. It’s not as popular as Lake Como or Lake Garda, but it’s still much loved by Italian families, and everyone who appreciates stunning natural beauty, and woodsy walking trails. If you’re not restricted by school holidays, it’s worth considering May through June, or September and October to visit Lake Maggiore, because it’s especially green and verdant in spring, and beautifully copper golden come autumn. You’ll get some rain in both of these windows, but you’d be unlucky to have so much that it spoils your trip. Easter and Christmas are always wonderful celebrations in Italy, but it does get chilly on the lake.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay on Lake Maggiore
• Expand your search further to include all the best places to stay in Piedmont or the best places to stay in Lombardy, which is just on the other side of Lake Maggiore
• You may also want to consider the best places to stay in Locarno, Mediterranean Ascona or Cannero Riviera, which is known for its flowers.
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.