Breathtakingly beautiful, the Italian Lakes district is a stunning natural backdrop against which man has added some charming towns and villages.
Whether it's Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Lake Iseo, or even Lake Lugano, which is technically in Switzerland, but has the same spectacular scenery, sunny climate, fantastic food and elegant architecture. Peaceful and glamorous, the Italian Lakes have it all. But one of the best things about holidaying here are the views. Especially the ones from the balcony of your room in one of the 20 best Italian lakeside hotels.
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Our Gurus have sieved through their recommendations for the best places to stay on each of the lakes to come up with a definitive list of the best Italian lakeside hotels, so you can start to plan your trip!
The 20 Best Italian Lakeside Hotels
The Best Hotel Views on the Italian Lakes
If you want to be right on Lake Como, try the Villa d'Este, one of the more traditional five star hotels, the kind with grand state rooms, chandeliers, heavy fabrics, private balconies and private boats.
Like the Villa d’Este, Villa Flori is right on the water’s edge at Cernobbio. As well as the unbeatable setting, Villa Flori has 52 contemporary chic rooms and suites, some with enormous balconies which hang out over the lake. Their restaurant offers alfresco dining from an Italian menu, plus there’s a lovely pool and spa.
The Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como in Lake Como’s tiny Blevio is a collection of lakeside villas with 73 magnificent rooms, a huge spa and two gourmet restaurants. The beautiful pool actually part floats on the lake itself and the subterranean spa is cut into the rock of the lakeside.
Sirmione’s Villa Cortine Palace is a grand, old fashioned villa hotel, with 54 rooms and an absolutely splendid setting on a spit of land jutting into Lake Garda. The rooms are grand, and Art Deco in style, with some beautiful frescoes and antiques, and there’s a private jetty, a lovely swimming pool and neoclassical landscaped gardens all around.
Gardone Riviera’s Villa Fiordaliso is a grand 19th Century Liberty-style villa with beautiful, historic interiors and a gourmet restaurant. There are just five rooms, which are traditional but timeless, and all with beautiful views of the lake. There’s also Michelin starred dining and lovely gardens and terraces.
If you're looking for lakeside grandeur on Lake Maggiore and a central Stresa location, book a room in the traditionally luxurious Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees. The hotel fronts onto the lake, a wonderful white facade with rows of little balconies. It oozes elegance and sophistication and also boasts great facilities including spa and gastronomic restaurant with lake views.
The Best Places to Stay in the Italian Lakes Region for Foodies
The Hotel Verbano is on one of Lake Maggiore’s islands, and is a beautiful restaurant with 12 charming rooms with romantic terraces for soaking up the astounding views.
If you're here for the views one of the best places to stay on Lake Orta is the Villa Crespi. This wonderfully grand villa is an exciting place to approach, but when you arrive you'll probably only have eyes for the views from the lovely terraces. The restaurant has two Michelin stars, so this is also a must for foodies.
Another top foodie destination on Lake Orta - and this time a bit friendlier on the wallet - is the Hotel Il Giardinetto. This restaurant with 59 rooms is right on the water. In fact its sun decks and terraces actually hang over the lake. With rooms starting from £70 per night and a gourmet menu, this is also incredibly good value.
The Most Romantic Italian Lakeside Hotels
The Villa Feltrinelli, in Lake Garda’s Gargnano, is an aristocratic villa conversion, with 21 rooms boasting beautifully restored interiors with antiques, beautiful fabrics and paintings. There’s also a Michelin starred restaurant. The perfect honeymoon hotel for anyone who can afford it.
Directly lakeside, the Locanda San Vigilio in Garda is an elegant, 14 room hotel owned and run by an Italian count! It’s been a hotel for 500 years and is immaculately decorated with antiques and beautiful objets. The hotel even has it’s own Emporium where you can buy beautiful things.
The Relais Regina Teodolinda, in Lake Como’s Laglio, has gardens which spread right down to the water’s edge. There are just six suites, which have a relaxed, almost rustic charm with all the modern conveniences of course.
Also in Laglio, the Relais Villa Vittoria is a wonderfully romantic hotel, also right on the edge of the lake. As well as stunning views, this hotel has 11 delicately sumptuous rooms, an excellent restaurant, and peaceful terraces overlooking the lake.
The Best Traditional Italian Lakeside Hotels
Bellagio’s opulent Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is an elegant grand dame, with all the trappings of old fashioned luxury. Think doric columns, beautiful antiques, frescoed ceilings, grand sun terraces, spectacular views of Lake Como - of course - and a Michelin starred restaurant. They also have a private boat.
Or there’s the equally grand, but not quite as lavish, Grand Hotel Tremezzo with 89 elegant rooms right on the water’s edge. Five stars worth of beautifully understated interiors plus generous sun terraces, an excellent restaurant and spa and parklands surrounding the hotel. Plus, one of the pools actually floats on the lake!
The Bellevue San Lorenzo on Lake Garda in Malcesine, is a charming Belle Epoque villa turned 52 room hotel. As well as being surrounded by beautiful grounds and having lovely lake views, the villa has an outdoor pool, fitness centre and spa.
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The Hotel Laurin is a stunning hotel with 30 rooms and suites, right on the shores of Lake Garda in Salò. Converted from an elegant early 20th Century villa, guests can expect parquet floods, frescoes and Art Nouveau furniture. There’s also a lovely pool in shady gardens and an excellent restaurant.
The Albergo Milano in Lake Como’s Varenna is a charming hotel in an enchanting lakeside setting. There are a collection of 14 rooms, triples and apartments, all with whitewashed walls and private balconies. There’s also a lovely restaurant.
Also right on the water in Salò, the Hotel Bellerive is a mid-sized hotel with 46 large, stylish rooms plus an outdoor pool, a fantastic Italian concept restaurant, and sailing and golfing opportunities nearby.
Beautifully positioned right on Lake Garda at Gardone Riviera, Bella Riva has 23 contemporary rooms and suites, an excellent restaurant and bar and a very nice pool. And the hotel has great watersports facilities.
The Best Value Italian Lakeside Hotels
Owned by the same family for four generations, the Albergo Olivedo is a gorgeous ten room townhouse hotel right by Lake Como at Varenna. The decor is traditional, with stone floors, pastel walls and private balconies. Family friendly and laid back, the Albergo Olivedo also has a lovely little Italian restaurant. Rooms start from around £90 per night.
Or there’s the Hotel Catullo in postcard perfect Sirmione, a great value hotel with 56 rooms starting from around £100 per night. There are lovely terraces right on the edge of the lake, a private jetty with direct lake access, plus there’s a great pool. It’s also very family friendly.
Lake Garda’s Gardesana, in the picturesque fishing village of Torri del Benaco, has 34 simple, comfortable rooms, great views and excellent food. It’s also wonderful value, with rooms starting from under £100 per night, and it’s quite romantic.
Still not sure which of our Guru’s recommendations for the 20 best Italian Lakeside hotels might be perfect for you?
The 20 Best Italian Lakeside Hotels
