Some of the best prices for travelling to the Italian Lakes can be found in the shoulder seasons, but if this is your first visit then you might not want to risk the weather being anything less than perfect and spoiling those idyllic vistas… In which case our Guru’s recommendations for the 10 best value hotels in the Italian Lakes is for you.

Orto San GuiliaImage by Fabio Valeggia from P

There are some stretches of waterfront which are less pricey than others, the north of Lake Como for example, and the south-eastern shore of Lake Maggiore, and these are good places to start. But it’s a shame if you stop searching there, for our Gurus have found some great ways to ‘do’ the Italian Lakes inexpensively in some of the region’s most glamorous lakeside towns. Don’t discount Bellagio on Lake Como or gorgeous Gardone Riviera. Hotels in Lake Garda's Salò and Sirmione, and Lake Maggiore’s Stresa are also on our Guru’s list. Use our guide to the best value hotels in the Italian Lakes and start to plan your holiday.

The 10 Best Value Hotels in the Italian Lakes

The Best Value Hotels with a View in the Italian Lakes

  • Salò’s Hotel Laurin is a stunning hotel with 30 rooms and suites, right on the shores of Lake Garda. Converted from an elegant 20th Century villa, guests can expect parquet floors, frescoes and Art Nouveau furniture. There’s also a lovely pool in shady gardens and an excellent restaurant.
  • The Hotel Florence, in Lake Como’s glamorous Bellagio, is a charming hotel with design mimicking its Florentine namesake. It has just 27 lovely rooms and sumptuous suites, some with private balconies or shared terrace, and spectacular views - of course! There’s also a gourmet restaurant with wisteria covered terrace, and a small spa.

The Best Value Lakeside Hotels in the Italian Lakes

Hotel Castello

  • Gargnano's Hotel du Lac is a gorgeous traditional property right beside Lake Garda. Come here for its period interiors, stunning dining terrace hovering over the lake and of course great value!
  • The Hotel Castello in Malcesine is a small, contemporary hotel right by the side of the lake. Some rooms have private balconies overlooking the water, there’s a lovely terrace and restaurant, and guests have their own private beach. Romantic but also family friendly. Rooms start from around €99 per night.

The Best Value Family Hotels in the Italian Lakes

Albergo Olivedo

  • 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.
  • The Locanda di Orta in Orta San Giulio, Lake Orta, is a charming, traditional hotel with nine wonderful rooms and suites with stone walls and private balconies. There’s a rooftop gastro-bar and a bistro. Rooms start from only €85 per night.

The Best Value Hotels for Romantics in the Italian Lakes

Casa Contrada Bella

  • Casa Contrada Bella is another great pick in Varenna. It's a gorgeous little guesthouse with just three rooms featuring wrought iron bedframes and beamed ceilings. There are lots of restaurants within walking distance and you're just steps from the lakeside. Rooms start from around €130 per night.
  • Gardesana, in the pretty fishing village of Torri del Benaco on Lake Garda, has 34 simple, comfortable rooms, great views and excellent food. It’s also wonderful value and romantic.

The Best Value Hotels for Foodies in the Italian Lakes

Hotel Il Giardinetto

  • Lake Orta’s Hotel Il Giardinetto is a great restaurant with 59 rooms, right on the water. The food is gourmet. the sun decks hang out over the lake and there’s a romantic atmosphere. Rooms start from around €99 per night.
  • Albergo Belvedere is a lovely little restaurant with twelve rooms in a stunning location in Ranco overlooking Lake Maggiore . The renowned restaurant serves fantastic food and there's an outdoor dining terrace with panoramic views. Rooms start from €128.

Still not sure which of our Guru’s recommendations for the 10 Best Value Hotels in the Italian Lakes is right for you?

The 10 Best Value Hotels in the Italian Lakes

The 10 Best Value Hotels in the Italian Lakes

Gardesana

Torri del Benaco (Torri del Benaco)

Excellent food and comfortable, simple rooms in Garda's showpiece fishing village. Perfectly positioned in a charming little port, it's a very romantic spot for a good value break. Homely and ideal for local exploring.

  • Local exploring - Offering a great location overlooking the lake and with views of the castle, this is the perfect spot to explore from
  • Foodies - Regional dishes are served on the terrace restaurant
  • Fishing - Fishing excursions nearby
  • Sights nearby - Verona 40 minutes drive
from £116 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Hotel Il Giardinetto

Lake Orta

Fantastic restaurant with charming rooms on the water of Lake Orta. Gourmet food on romantic terraces, sun decks overhanging the lake, pastel rooms with wonderful views over the lake. A romantic choice for an authentic Italian break.

  • Romantic Break
  • Views
  • Restaurant - Creative regional cuisine
  • Swimming Pool -
from £107 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Locanda di Orta

Lake Orta

Charming, traditional, cheaper than most. Wonderful rooms and suites have stone walls, private balconies, good sized beds. The highlight - rooftop gastro-bar, wine cellar and bistro. Very family friendly and affordable.

  • Roof terrace - Fabulous gastrobar roof terrace.
  • Value chic
  • Views
  • Private Hot Tub - One of the suites has a private balcony with hot tub
from £70 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Albergo Olivedo

Varenna

Gorgeous townhouse hotel on Lake Como. Charmingly traditional bedrooms have stone floors, pastel walls, and private balconies. Magnificent views from every room and authentic Italian food. Laid back, family friendly.

  • Local exploring - Well located just 5 minutes from Varenna's pretty centre made up of winding cobbled streets
  • Elegant - Traditional interiors see large sash windows, parquet flooring and antiques
  • Sailing - Set on the Varenna jetty, this is a great base to explore the lake by boat
  • Owner managed - Owned by the same family for four generations
from £128 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Hotel Florence

Bellagio

Stunning hotel on the shore of Lake Como. Interior design mimics its Florentine namesake in its elegance and combinations of colour. Sumptuous suites with private balconies, gourmet restaurant, spa and spectacular views. A very romantic and sophisticated spot.

  • Romantic Break - Cruise on the lake or stroll through the countryside before unwinding in the small spa, perfect activities for a romantic break
  • Foodies - Dine on gourmet Italian dishes set on a pretty wisteria-shaded lakeside terrace
  • Owner managed - The property has been in the same family for the past 100 years
  • Views - Breathtaking views over Lake Como
from £133 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Hotel Laurin

Salò

A stunning hotel on the shore of Lake Garda. Rooms and suites in a 20th century villa are elegant, with parquet floors and all mod cons. Frescoes and art nouveau furniture. Excellent authentic cuisine, pool and shady gardens. An idyllic choice, and perfect for a family holiday.

  • Foodies - Garda Food and Wine Trail & Strada dei Vini e Sapori del Garda: visits to about 100 producers (wineries, oil mills, cheeses).
  • Families - Swimming and Lake Garda to explore by boat. Many child friendly sights in the area, such as movie studio and safari park
  • Sights nearby - Salò, Gardone Riviera, Toscolano Maderno, Gargnano and Limone del Garda
  • Sailing
from £123 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Hotel Castello

Malcesine

A small contemporary hotel on the edge of Lake Garda. Contemporary chic rooms, some with private balconies overlooking the lake. Excellent restaurant and terrace and its own private pebble beach with deck chairs. A good value spot for a romantic holiday, family friendly too.

  • Romantic Break - An idyllic lakeside setting complete with a romantic terrace restaurant, a perfect choice for a romantic holiday
  • Local exploring - Perfectly positioned to enjoy Lake Garda and just a stroll from the historical downtown area
  • Sailing - Hire a boat and spend the day cruising across the lake
  • Sights nearby - Visit the the ancient battlements of Castle Scaligero
from £101 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Casa Contrada Bella

Varenna

A small guest house with three charming bedrooms - wrought iron bed heads, exposed wooden beams, exposed stone wall. Two with a small kitchenette and one with a balcony. Restaurants within walking distance and the beach is just steps away. A great value base for exploring the area.

  • Romantic Break - A superb location, cosy rooms and suites and no children allowed make this ideal for romance!
  • Groups - With just three rooms, this is a good choice if you want to rent out a place in its entirety
  • Value chic - Stylish rooms which start from just €130 per night
  • Sights nearby - Situated in the historical centre of Varenna. 14th Century Church - Chiesa di San Giorgio is very close by
from £108 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Albergo Belvedere

Lake Maggiore (Ranco)

A quaint little restaurant with rooms in a stunning location with views of Lake Maggiore. The simple and stylish rooms offer a laid back atmosphere. The renowned restaurant serves local food and boasts a terrace with panoramic views. A charming base for local explorers or more active types.

  • Romantic Break - Special private candlelight dinners under the stars can be arranged on request.
  • Families - Great for families, extra cots for children below 3 years can be provided.
  • Views - Right by the Lake Maggiore with all rooms offering wonderful views.
  • Fishing - A perfect base for anglers the hotel has their own fishing boats and can take you out for the day
from £106 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Hotel du Lac, Gargnano

Gargnano (Villa di Gargnano)

A charming family-owned and run small hotel overlooking Lake Garda, just outside Gargnano. The twelve rooms (six with lake view and balcony) are traditional in style and feature period furnishings and antiques that perfectly complement the 19th-century building. A welcoming understated stay.

  • Local exploring - Gargnano is a great base for exploring all of Lake Garda
  • Lakeside - Right on the shores of Lake Garda
  • Great walks - There are lots of paths for walkers of all abilities and once a week the hotel hosts a guided excursion
  • Spa - Wellness treatments can be booked at the sister hotel Gardenia al Lago
from £133 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

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