Sunny and lush, Lake Maggiore is frequently likened to the Mediterranean, with its colourful and exotic plant varieties and bright blue water. Yet it’s fed by rivers running off Piedmont’s lower alps, which have cut its narrow shape, and which for many is one of the great appeals of the Italian Lake District — so much spectacular shoreline for your buck! The best places to stay on Lake Maggiore are dotted around the shoreline, from stylish Locarno and Mediterranean Ascona on the lake’s northern shores, to Cannero Riviera and Stresa on the western Piedmont side (good for walkers, and shoppers respectively), and Ranco on the southern, Lombardy shore. The hotels and guesthouses themselves are a broad collection of converted palazzos and villas, plus a few castles and farmhouses, traditional Italian hotels, grande dames, spa resorts and contemporary properties.

Because Lake Maggiore pushes down through Switzerland into Italy, there are some variations in accommodation style that run along the border. Swiss Locarno and Ascona have a number of extremely luxurious properties, whilst within Italy you'll find more traditional, low-key properties that have been run by the same family for generations. Our recommendations for the best places to stay on Lake Maggiore cover both.

Broadly speaking the lake doesn’t differentiate by borders, its equally lemon scented all around, with palm trees and camellias, and walking its wooded shoreline is one of Lake Maggiore’s simple pleasures. This is also a great destination for cyclists. And sailors, kayakers and canoeists. Like many Italians, our Gurus’ also pick out the best places to stay on Lake Maggiore to recommend to families. The lake’s beaches are calmer than the sea, and the water is crystal clear. The lake is also littered with beautiful and historic architecture, in pretty towns with regular market days and rich culinary histories. And all around are vineyards, and alpine views.

The Best Places to Stay on Lake Maggiore

For A Special Occasion

• Villa Orselina is a blissfully picturesque hotel on the slopes above Locarno, overlooking the lake and the alps. Its 28 rooms and suites, all with lake-view balconies, are decorated in white, with dark woods that match the original ceiling beams of the villa. The pool is on a sunny terrace, which is also a prime spot for lake views, and inside is an atmospheric stone wine cellar, and an intimate restaurant with a vaulted brick ceiling. This is the sort of accommodation it’s easy to forget to leave, but there’s a 15th century church a couple of minutes walk away, so you don’t have to go far to sightsee.
• The Grand Hôtel des Iles Borromées is one of Lake Maggiore’s grande dame hotels, a strikingly elegant property 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 mirrors, 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 Luxury

• The Giardino Ascona is a large and luxurious lakeside villa in Ascona, with a collection of rooms, suites and apartments, that are light, airy and stylishly comfortable. We like the rooms on the ground floor, which have French windows opening right out onto the fragrant gardens, which are lush with flora from all over Italy and Switzerland. With a list of facilities including both indoor and outdoor pool, and a hotel yacht, the most impressive is probably the restaurant, Ecco Ascona, which has two Michelin stars.
• Eden Roc is a glamorous hotel with a wonderful list of facilities, and hard-to-beat lake views. To share between the spacious, and stylishly decorated 100 odd guest rooms, are four restaurants which range from elegant to supremely elegant with a Michelin star; a superb spa with a very accessible treatment menu; a private beach with kayaks, paddle boards and a yacht; and they have hotel bikes AND hotel Vespas.

For Families

• The Castello del Sole is close to the water in Ascona, just on the other side of the river from Locarno. But one of the wonderful things about this hotel is that you just wouldn’t know it — the grounds are so large, and so framed by the mountains and the lake, that it feels like a country escape. Expect tennis courts, sailing facilities, bike hire, and a library, games room and pool. As well as generous grounds, the Castello del Sole has 78 rooms and suites, decorated with simple luxury. And an excellent spa. All the space makes this a great choice for families too, plus there’s a playground, a timetable of kids’ activities, and babysitting services available too.

For Romantics

• The Locanda de Mai Intees is a 12 room hotel converted from a castle-like private residence built in the 15th century. Think crenelated towers, vast stone fireplaces, windows that feel more than double height, frescoes and murals, beamed ceilings, and bags of charm. The rooms are atmospheric and romantic, with cosy, luxurious details — some have mezzanine levels, which make them large enough for families. The restaurant is gourmet, and they have private dining rooms.
• The Castello Seeschloss is an extremely beautiful and special place to stay: a converted castle complete with towers, murals, frescoes, vaulted ceilings, ornate plasterwork and a whole host of fancy finishes. Its 45 rooms and suites range from simpler styles, with exposed stone walls and tiled floors, to the whole shebang of gilt and glamour. The location is idyllic, its terrace and gardens are right up against the lake, and the views are stunning. The heated pool, expansive wine list, and option of cooking classes are all useful extras.

For an Intimate Escape

• The Hotel Isole Di Brissago, has been converted from a grand villa, built in the 20th century, complete with palatial statuary, magical lake views, vast windows and French doors. There are just ten rooms and suites, decorated with vintage style and antiques, against original floors and stucco ceilings, plus large marble bathrooms, and private balconies. This is definitely the sort of place where you can imagine you’re the guest of the owner. Being located right next to the botanical gardens gives a feeling off having the whole island to yourself. The restaurant is very popular too.
• Ranco’s Albergo Belvedere is a great little restaurant, with 12 simple, colourful rooms, all with lake views. Enjoy private, candlelit dining on request, and a friendly atmosphere.
• La Capuccina isn’t on Lake Maggiore, it’s an agroturismo, converted from a farming estate about 10km south of Arona. It has just nine rooms, all uniquely decorated, with strong colours and a collection of vintage and contemporary furnishings. Some are suitable for families, some have private terraces, and one has a private sauna. There’s also a games room, with plenty on offer for families, and a whole farm to mess around on with pigs, goats and chickens etc., and an excellent restaurant serving food as locally sourced as possible.

For Exploring

• Sunny and cheerful, with unbeatable views of Ascona and the lake beyond, the Art Hotel Riposo is a welcoming choice, while still feeling small enough to call intimate. There are 31 rooms and suites, most with private balconies, and all with simple, fresh decor. There are two restaurants onsite, and plenty within strolling distance, and some evenings the hotel hosts live music. Fun and friendly.
• Small, super stylish, and well positioned, Giardino Lago is a great match for active couples. Right on the water on the edge of Locarno, this hotel has views of the town and the lake from most of its 14 rooms and suites, and from its huge, sunny cocktail terrace. The hotel’s restaurant is excellent, and you’re within a pleasant stroll of many others, plus the hotel offers complimentary bike hire, and surprisingly varied watersports facilities.

For Foodies

• Il Sole di Ranco is a peaceful, lakeside hotel in Ranco, with wonderful lake views and a gourmet restaurant. The decor is traditional in the 14 rooms and suites, but it’s unfussy, and the atmosphere is very relaxed. The restaurant is known for its fresh fish, caught in the lake, of course, and serves meals outside on a sunny terrace when possible. They also run cooking classes.

Stay on an Island?

• If you like the idea of staying on one of the little islands dotted around Lake Maggiore, our Gurus recommend the Hotel Verbano, which is a chic little restaurant with rooms on tiny Isola dei Pescatori. The hotel has just 12 rooms, all charming, with lake views, decorated simply atop the original features. The communal areas are friendly, and the restaurant spreads outside and in. Perfect for a wedding or a honeymoon.

For Walkers

• The Casa Ambica is a painstakingly renovated 19th century villa with just five rooms; we love the attic room, which has the best views over the lake and the Maggiore Valley. Set in a peaceful spot in Gordevio, Case Ambica is a great base for exploring on foot, or on wheels. The communal lounge is cosy and welcoming, with an open fire when needed, and there’s also a lovely garden. Breakfast is a generous spread every morning.

For Great Value

• Cannero Riviera’s Park Hotel Italia is a smartly converted lakeside villa, with 31 rooms and suites in an excellent spot right by the water. The high ceilings, huge windows and generous proportions remain, but the unfussy furniture lends comfort. As well as views from all the balconies, the location means the pool and restaurant terrace have views too. Work up a sweat on the tennis court before tucking into lovely Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
• The family-run Hotel Cannero is picturesquely located in a waterfront spot in Cannero Riviera, its terrace just a few steps from the edge of the lake. This is a traditional hotel, with 55 rooms and suites, all charmingly, but individually decorated. The more traditional have tile or parquet floors, antiques and French windows, whilst the more contemporary have simpler wood flooring and contemporary furnishings, but still huge windows and terraces. The traditional features run to a piano bar too, and there’s a pool, tennis courts, a restaurant and wine bar.

Prefer a self catering Apartment or 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

• Milan’s airports, Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate, are the closest airports to the southern end of Lake Maggiore, about an hour and a half away by car, depending on where exactly you’re staying. However, Milan isn’t particularly well connected to the lake by public transport, so if that’s important to you, you might find it easier to fly into Zürich Airport, and travel south to the northern shores of the lake. Depending on where you’re staying it will be between two and three hours drive, or around five hours by public transport.
• 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 a destination as Lake Como or Lake Garda, but it’s still much loved by Italian families, and everyone who appreciates bluey-greeny 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 in Piedmont or the best places to stay in Lombardy
• Refine your search to a particular town on Lake Maggiore, and focus on the best places to stay in Locarno, Stresa for its shopping, Mediterranean Ascona or Cannero Riviera, which is known for its flowers.
• You might also like to refine your search by the kind of holiday you’re planning, and focus on the best wine hotels in Piedmont for example
• You could also expand your search to include the other local lakes and consider the best places to stay in Lake Como, Lake Garda, or cross the border to Lake Lugano
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.