It’s no secret that Italy excels in just about everything: culture, cuisine, history and fashion, to name just a few. But for those who want to experience the country in all of its glamorous, glitzy glory, we suggest making a beeline for the northern region of Lombardy, just 25 miles from Milan, to discover the gem that is Lake Como. Framed by the dramatic Rhaetian Alps, which shelter its shores from the area’s typically inclement temperatures – and therefore boasting a landscape primed for hiking, sailing, and cycling – it has long been a destination for the social set, from its early beginnings as a home to Milanese nobility and world-renowned artists and composers, including Byron, Wordsworth and Shelley, to attracting a more modern clientele including George Clooney, Madonna, and Donatella Versace.

And who can blame them? Crystal-clear waters and picturesque villas provide a magical backdrop, while the cobbled streets of Bellagio and Varenna are brimming with old-world charm. Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots so you can climb Greenway: Lake Como’s most famous hiking trail spanning 10km from Colonno to Griante. Or perhaps combine a pitstop here with your Italian ski trip: famous ski resorts including Madesimo, Piani di Bobbio, Bormio and Livigno are just a couple of hours away by car.

Some of the hotels in this edit are open now – namely Hilton Lake Como, Villa d’Este, Villa Sola Cabiati, and Passalacqua – but the majority open for the spring-summer season in March. Given Lake Como is consistently one of the most Googled travel destinations, and attracts more than 1.4 million per year, booking early is highly recommended. Here are the most luxurious Lake Como hotels, where you can get your fill of Italian glamour, delectable food, and neoclassical style in spades. 

Villa d’Este

Villa d’Este is a centuries-old grande dame and a Lake Como hotel legend. Situated on the sunlit southwestern shore, the hotel is famed for its magnificent gardens and the first of Lake Como’s popular floating pools. From sipping cocktails on the jasmine-filled terrace to vintage boat tours, indulging in personalised spa treatments at the Beauty Centre, and dining on executive chef Michele Zambanini’s classic cuisine, Villa d’Este’s ambience exudes serenity and sophistication. It has long established itself as the most sought-after spot for Hollywood, following in the footsteps of Alfred Hitchcock who made his first film, The Pleasure Garden, on the property in 1925. Elizabeth Taylor famously retreated to one of its palatial suites at the beginning of her affair with Richard Burton; Lady Gaga lived at the hotel while filming House of Gucci; and George Clooney is such a regular that staff simply refer to him as ‘George’. 

Villa d’Este is also home to the crème de la crème of private villas on Lake Como. Whether it’s for a celebration, large family gathering, or intimate romantic getaway, Villa d’Este has a villa suitable to meet the demands of every guest. Pick from the regal Villa Cima – built in 1815 by Caroline of Brunswick, the wife of King George IV, to host the Count and Countess Pino, and then transformed in 2019 by Italian fashion house, Loro Piana – or the Mosaic House, perfect for couples seeking an unforgettable romantic retreat. Set within Villa d’Este’s iconic a mosaic garden, it comprises a lounge and fully-equipped kitchen alongside a one-bedroom suite, both of which open onto a private terrace which overlooks the ancient fortresses and shimmering lake. 

From £1,117 per night. 

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

With more than 100 years of history, the stunning Grand Hotel Tremezzo is set in an elegant palazzo surrounded by a private park and offers spectacular views over the lake and Grigne Mountains from its 84 rooms. This year will mark two milestones for the Art Nouveau gem, including the property’s 115th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the De Santis family ownership. Some of Italy’s very finest gastronomy can be found in its five restaurants and, for lakeside relaxation, there are three swimming pools, as well as the gorgeous T Spa, comprising intimate private treatment rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the beauty of the Lake Como landscape. As you might have already guessed, there’s a reason this hotel has such a loyal following. 

Grand Hotel Tremezzo is not one to rest on its laurels, and although its heritage is proudly preserved, current owner Valentina de Santis ensures it introduces something new every season. This year will see the T Spa’s indoor swimming pool debut a new look, enhancing its elegant design, while other additions include a ‘lake beach’ (with actual sand) and a new fish restaurant on the pontoon, Da Giacomo al Lago, where you can enjoy fresh crudi, spaghetti alle vongole and white wine until the sun sets. 

From £900 per night. 

Villa Làrio

While many love the grandeur and romance of Lake Como’s biggest water-side properties, others may be more tempted by boutique, lesser-known but equally impressive establishments like Villa Làrio. This refined property encourages guests to embark on a thorough digital detox while staying in one of its 18 suites, where TVs have been replaced with fireplaces so that guests can truly relax and switch off from the world. A daily afternoon tea service epitomises the height of Lake Como sophistication, while executive chef Davide Maci serves not only a picnic basket offering (for those unmissable hikes), poolside light bites and an a la carte selection, but a fine dining tasting menu featuring deer tartare, confit cod with parmesan foam and red tuna linguine. 

A haven for adventurous spirits, blow away the cobwebs with a refreshing plunge into the lake from the property’s private jetty, or hike the scenic 18-mile trail known as Dorsale del Triangolo Lariano, which winds its way from Como to Bellagio. The reward? Stunning vistas and fresh mountain air. Tick, tick. 

From £538 per night.

Passalacqua

Perched above the charming village of Moltrasio and gracefully descending to the serene shores of Lake Como, Passalacqua, an exquisite 18^th-century villa, is an idyllic setting for a glamorous getaway. This 24-suite retreat only opened its doors to the public last summer, following three years of restoration, but the bones of the property are steeped in history, having played host to some of the most brilliant minds in music, literature, art and politics, from Napoleon Bonaparte to Bellini to Winston Churchill. Passalacqua is the passion project of one of Italy’s leading hoteliers – the De Santis family, owners of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo – so it’s safe to say you can expect great things. 

Menus by Viviana Varese pay homage to Italy’s vibrant food culture across three restaurants, while the spa is a subterranean oasis featuring an 18-metre indoor swimming pool, seamlessly connected through the villa’s underground passages. It has recently  introduced a collaboration with organic skincare line, Seed to Skin Tuscany, with treatments inspired by the enchanting beauty of Passalacqua’s secret tunnels. Don’t miss the Beautiful Balance Ritual, beginning with a herbal infusion, followed by a hot shower with Seed to Skin Tuscany’s matcha soap, invigorating salt scrub, and a candle massage with rehydrating coconut oil. Anddd, relax. 

From £1,284 per night. 

Mandarin Oriental Lago Di Como

Villa Roccabruna – the beating heart of Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como – has a rich and varied history. Dating back to 1799, it was originally owned by Madame Ribier, an eccentric Parisian dressmaker who made a fortune in Milan designing outfits for the top echelons of society. In 1827, opera singer Giuditta Pasta acquired the property and asked her uncle, architect Filippo Ferranti, to renovate the villa, transforming it into a meeting point for well-heeled artists, composers and singers. Legend has it that Pasta would lean out of the windows to sing while on the opposite shore, in the small town of Moltrasio, renowned composer Vincenzo Bellini would listen intently. Her sprawling 10-room home is now the centre of the Mandarin Oriental’s stunning Como pile, conjoined with 65 other guest rooms, suites, villas, restaurants, bars and a spa. 

Immersed in a centuries-old botanical park on the eastern shore of Lake Como, the Mandarin Oriental spans nine distinguished buildings, with the majority of the villas named after the plants and trees that grow in the resort’s lush garden. Lake views come as standard here, as does the impeccable service and tranquil comfort found at the panoramic pool, neoclassical spa and three restaurants overseen by chef Massimiliano Blasone. Pick from modern Italian flavours at Co.mo Bar and Bistrot, menus flecked with Japanese influences at L˜aria and Asian-inspired comfort food at Nami Cafe. Bellisimo. 

From £800 per night.

Villa Sola Cabiati

Once the opulent summer retreat of the Serbelloni family, this private six-bedroom villa forms part of the aforementioned Grand Hotel Tremezzo estate but is also available for private hire. Oozing romantic, 16^th-century architecture and splendour, Villa Sola Cabiati is enormously decadent thanks to its sprawling manicured gardens and luxe wellness facilities. Unwind within its sumptuous interiors or explore a variety of excursions, from historic silk museum tours and workshops in Como’s hidden hamlets, to open air cinematic nights on the lawn and cooking and mixology masterclasses. 

The wellness offering is the villa’s focal point, where guests can enjoy private yoga classes – hosted in the leafy gardens at sunrise for spectacular views over the lake – as well as personalised training programmes and bespoke spa treatments from the comfort of your suite, ranging from the 110-minute Lake Como sleep ritual to a rebalancing facial. No trip to Lake Como is complete without taking to the water, and the villa’s own motorboat and expert guide will ensure you enjoy all the must-see sights only accessible by lake, including Villa Del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta and Villa Monastero. 

From £8,400 per night. 

Hilton Lake Como

Boasting a more modern take on Italian sophistication, the Hilton Lake Como embodies a new-generation hotel with spectacular scenery, traditional charm, and jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the lake from its rooftop pool. Formerly a silk factory, the building is steeped in history and is now home to 170 spacious guest rooms, a pampering spa and a popular cocktail bar and restaurant. Insider tip: if the spacious Presidential Suite with a lake view and rooftop terrace is booked, then try the Loft Suite where you can sleep under the twinkling Lake Como stars. You won’t be disappointed. 

Exciting new events for this season include the Como Chef’s Table: a gastronomic journey at the fine dining Satin restaurant, where executive chef Stefano Ghielmetti will bring together some of the most revered chefs from across the local region for a five-course tasting menu with wine parings. It would be rude not to while away an afternoon or two at the Eforea Spa, offering an array of treatments ranging from a top-to-toe body overhaul to speedy facials and massages. An oasis of wellbeing by the lake, make the most of the hydrotherapy pool and whirlpool stations, massaging hot-and-cold waterfalls, a sauna, Turkish bath, experience showers and more.

From £292 per night. 

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