Lake Como

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Lake Como

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About Lake Como

The moment when you zoom out of the tunnel from Milan and Lake Como dazzles before you is one that many talk about for months afterwards. Visitors wax lyrical about the pristine waters, the backdrop of mountains and charming, orange-coloured towns along the shoreline, and you can tell it’s love! The accommodations in this area can be pretty spectacular too. The best places to stay in Lake Como range from seriously opulent pillared palazzos, to traditional five star hotels and lakeside grande dames; and from hillside hotels with incredible panoramic views, to waterfront charmers. There’s plenty of choice if you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel, or a B&B too — in short, there really is something for all tastes and budgets.

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Many report how resistant to spoiling the region feels, saying that Lake Como’s popularity and visitor numbers seem not to phase the well dressed locals, who give off the impression that it’s always been thus, and definitely the feel that this is a working region not a tourist trap. This impression of longevity and continuity can be seen in the hospitality establishments too; there are several hotels that have been in the same family for more than two hundred years.

When it comes to making a shortlist of which of Lake Como destinations to prioritise, you’re spoilt for choice by the shoreline dotted with pretty towns. Bellagio is exquisite, George Clooney champions Laglio and Tremezzo, and Menaggio is beautiful too. Varenna is a quiet old fishing village, and a good choice if you’re watching your wallet; elegant Como is the region’s capital, and right next door is Cernobbio. Lecco is Lake Como's other major town, but there are plenty of smaller hamlets worth considering, including Blevio and Lezzeno.

However blasé the locals appear about the tourist influx, don't forget that this region is exceptionnally busy during the peak summer months. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Lake Como, you'll need to get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay on Lake Como

For a Special Occasion

The Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como is an incredibly grand looking spa hotel right on the waterfront, with elegant, historic buildings rising up behind it on a lush hillside. Converted from a number of opulent villas, there’s plenty of luxury remaining in the 73 rooms and suites, and grand communal areas. In addition you'll find two gourmet restaurants, a subterranean spa hewn into the rocky shoreline, an indoor pool, and an outdoor pool that floats on top of the lake. There’s plenty of scope for families, but also plenty of opportunity for romance.
The Villa d'Este is a traditional five star hotel, the kind with grand state rooms and ballrooms, suites as big as an apartment, and glorious gardens and restaurant terraces. The colour scheme is regal, the fabrics rich, and the chandeliers glitter in the sun streaming in from private balconies. The hotel also has a fleet of private boats, which you can catch from the private jetty, alongside the fabulous pool that floats on the lake. This is classic Lake Como grandeur, and perfect for a special occasion.

For the Views

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, in Tremezzo, has one of the best views on the lake; across the water from here you can see Bellagio in the foreground, and Varenna behind and to the left. If you turn around you’ll be pretty impressed too, for the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is pretty grand: tall and impressive, with rows of Juliet balconies and great walls of windows marking out the restaurants and bars. All in it has 89 rooms and suites, decorated with five-stars worth of luxury. Plus generous sun terraces, an excellent restaurant and spa, lush gardens, and a pool that floats on the lake.
The Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is another ‘properly’ grand Grand Hotel, complete with frescoes, murals, heavy gilt, vast fireplaces, marble pillars and huge chandeliers — and sometimes all in the same room. It also boasts a ballroom, and a pool right above the water. In fact it’s got two pools, tennis courts and a spa. Don't miss the incredible glass-walled restaurant, which also has a Michelin star. There’s a terrace too, but the lake views from the restaurant allow guests to soak the beauty in almost constantly.
Il Sereno could be considered the contemporary version of a grand hotel, where all the details are gorgeous, in the contemporary sense, and there’s a focus on individual space and pleasures rather than grand communal ones. Il Sereno has just 30 rooms and suites, stacked neatly, so that their huge glass fronts all open out onto the lake, and they all have incredible private balcony views. The restaurant is just as fantastic as the hotels above, but in a less opulent setting, and the pool is smaller, but so is the number of rooms. Perfect for contemporary honeymooners.

For Waterside Charm

The Villa Flori is right on the water’s edge at Cernobbio, cleverly designed in a broad horseshoe shape, so that all of its 53 rooms and suites have water views from private balconies (some of the suites have spacious terraces). The Italian restaurant has a classic menu, brought to life by a great chef, and a prime lake-view too, and tables that spill out in front of it, all the way to the water’s edge.
The Hotel Florence offers affordable elegance in sophisticated Bellagio. The name is mirrored by the interiors, which have the colours and details of Renaissance Florence, but without all the flounces, and the 27 rooms and suites are comfortably stylish. Our favourite rooms have private balconies too. The Hotel Florence has been in the same family for more than a hundred years and they’ve had a long time to hone their hospitality skills, which are really excellent. Expect gourmet cuisine in the restaurant, and on the wisteria-shaded terrace, and a personalised touch.

For Italian Charm

Ronco Dell’Abate is a wonderfully authentic pick: a four room B&B converted from a villa in a quiet part of Como. While the villa’s exterior appears modest, aside from the fresco, the interiors recall a magically opulent heyday of design, with ornate parquet, wood panelling, gorgeous tiles and the furniture to match. Its four rooms have bags of charm and history, and for the right people this accommodation will elevate their visit to Lake Como to the sublime.
Also in Como, but on a larger scale, the Vista Palazzo showcases more contemporary Italian charm and design, with some seriously magazine-worthy interiors and a gorgeous palace-villa exterior. Everything is bespoke and intimately designed, from the parquet to the velvet armchairs, and the service is just as personalised. The location, close to the water and Como’s historic centre, is difficult to top, and the restaurant is extremely memorable.

For Families

The Albergo Milano is a great value choice for families. It’s small and very charming, with just 14 rooms, suites and apartments sleeping up to five, all simply and comfortably decorated, but with a configuration to suit most families. There’s not a huge amount of space, but it’s very well laid out, and that includes the charming restaurant and gorgeous sun terrace with incredible lake views.
La Locanda del Cantiere started off as a boathouse, which explains its unusual exterior, private jetty, and proximity to the lake, but now this terrace of six peaked ‘sheds’ has become a row of six contemporary rooms and suites, plus a fabulous Italian restaurant. The reimagining of the space includes plenty of glass, exposed stone and skylights. Some of the suites are family-sized.
Bellagio’s Hotel Belvedere is wonderfully positioned, on a slight hill overlooking one of Bellagio’s marinas. The heated infinity pool and garden terraces all have wonderful lake views, as do some of the 64 rooms, suites and apartments. Decor is simple and contemporary, with parquet floors and neutral colours, but it’s the variation in size and shape of the rooms that we really like about them. We also appreciate the personal touches that come from this being a family business that has survived since 1880.

For an Intimate Escape

The Villa Lario is an elegant villa turned all-suite hotel overlooking the shore of Lake Como. Just five suites make up the property, two corner suites have their own wrap-around balconies, and are our favourites. The decor is part of the charm, simple and elegant, with lots of light from large windows, and a show of some of the villa’s original features. The restaurant serves modern Italian cuisine, and there’s a small private jetty.
The Palazzo Albricci Peregrini in Como offers an opportunity to see some of Lake Como’s graceful architecture up close. The palazzo is elegant, complete with gorgeous tiles, high ceilings, ornate fireplaces and the remnants of frescoes, but it’s been imaginatively converted into a contemporary collection of six rooms and suites, so you get the benefits of modern plumbing. There’s no restaurant, but the homemade breakfast is a highlight.

For Couples

Laglio’s Relais Villa Vittoria is a small and wonderfully romantic hotel right on the water’s edge — in fact there’s an infinity pool that almost appears to cascade into the lake. The views are spectacular, from the pool and terraced gardens, from the restaurant terrace, and from most of the 11 rooms and suites with their private balconies. The decor oozes contemporary luxury, though some of the rooms have wonderful original features and some also have four-poster beds.
The Filario Hotel is just the right size for a couples' escape, and with just the right facilities. It offers incredible views, especially from the infinity pool, and the 13 contemporary rooms and suites boast large, comfortable furniture, spacious bathrooms and huge windows. Just below the infinity pool there’s a private pebble beach, and beside it is the restaurant terrace serving delicious, traditional Italian fare.

For Great Value

The Albergo Olivedo is a gorgeous little townhouse hotel right across from the water in Varenna. It’s been owned by the same family for four generations, and its ten rooms have a really authentic feel of Lake Como. You can expect stone or parquet floors, a cheerful colour scheme, big windows and private balconies, and an authentic restaurant too. Totally charming.
Varenna also has the Hotel du Lac, which is also right on the lake, and family-owned and run. Its 16 rooms are simply and comfortably decorated with antiques, and most have a private balcony or terrace, and lake views. There’s also a lovely large dining terrace and an airy restaurant that juts out over the lake. The location is perfect for exploring.
Also in Varenna, the Casa Contrada Bella is a small and chic option, with just three stylish rooms that make the most of the villa-conversion’s original charms. Two of the rooms have small kitchenettes, and the third has a balcony. There are plenty of places to eat and drink in the charming streets around the Casa, and there’s a great beach close by too.

Best B&Bs

La Canarina B&B is a charming bed and breakfast in the heart of Como, with just two simple, airy bedrooms overlooking a beautiful private garden, only 200 metres from the lake. The decor is classical, with wooden floorboards and antique wrought iron beds, and it’s very affordable and peaceful.
The B&B Vista Lago is another small, quiet, child-free B&B just up the hill from Como. As the name suggests, the lake views are beautiful! and each of the three rooms has its own private sun terrace for enjoying them from. The decor is simple and contemporary, and the atmosphere romantic.

Prefer a Self-catering Apartment or villa?

Sometimes a villa or apartment is the best option if you're travelling in a larger group, so if you decide that you'd prefer a self catering option, check out our online booking partner, booking.com for some inspiration.

Travel Information

Lake Como is between international airports: Milan’s Linate and Malpensa are just under an hour and a half away by car — depending on which part of the lake you’re staying on, of course — or about two and a half hours away by public transport (train to Como station and then a bus onwards). Verona-Villafranca, is about two and a half hours away by road, or four and a half by public transport via Milan and Brescia-Montichiari is about the same, also via Milan, and these options are definitely better if you’re staying on the eastern shore.
If you want to hire a car — which we strongly advise if you’re staying on Lake Como and want to explore further afield — we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
Lake Como has a milder climate than its surrounds, its great body of water helps regulate the temperature, and allows for sub-tropical plants like grapevines and olive trees to grow throughout the year. In winter does get chilly, and in summer it can be humid, but broadly speaking it has some of the best weather conditions in Europe. April through to October are the busiest months for visitors, warm and sunny, perfect for a lake break. The water of the lake even heats up during summer, and can get to 20°C come July! So if you are visiting at this time it’s worth booking as much as you can in advance.

Still not sure where to stay?

Refine your search to our Guru’s recommendations for the best hotels with a view on Lake Como, the best luxury hotels on Lake Como, the best hotels for families on Lake Como or the best value hotels on Lake Como
Or you could search by location, and seek out the best places to stay in Como, or the best places to stay in Bellagio for example.
You may also want to consider expanding your search to include Lake Garda, Lake Iseo, Lake Orta, Lake Lugano or Lake Maggiore
Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly gurus for personalised advice.

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The best hotels in Lake Como

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Locanda Osteria Marascia

Calolziocorte (Lake Como)

Located in a quiet village just a short drive from Lake Como. This traditional hotel has a charming rustic chic feel with exposed beams, stone walls and antiques galore. The fantastic cellar restaurant serves home-made Italian dishes - the host's recipes have been perfected over five generations!

Value chic - With doubles from just €80 per night including breakfast, these smart rooms are excellent value
Local exploring - Great location for exploring the Italian Lakes
Great walks - Parco Regionale di Montevecchia e della Valle del Curone. There are good routes for all abilities
Sights nearby - Spend a day in Milan

from AU$138 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

Hotel Villa Aurora

Lezzeno

A historic small hotel set on Lake Como's shores. Rooms and apartments are simply styled with wooden floors, soft hues, and lovely lake views (the best have balconies). A terraced restaurant serves healthy Italian fare and pizzas. A laidback family-owned base well suited to families or couples.

Groups - The property has two separate well-equipped apartments (both sleeping up to 7) which are ideal for small groups or families
Local exploring - Well positioned on Lake Como with Comacina Island, the splendid Villa Balbianello, and Lezzeno nearby
Historic - The building dates back to the 20th century and has remained in the Gregorio family since 1965
Great walks - Walk from Lezzeno to Alpe dei Picett along the pretty hiking trail that runs around the lake

from AU$178 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees