Hotels

This exclusive villa is set in impeccably kept grounds and offers outstanding service and Michelin-starred cuisine to match. The rooms are elegant and cosy with the living areas seemingly melting into one, and meals are served anywhere on the property. A stay feels like a visit to a friend's elegant country home. Read expert review

A Lake Como icon in high summer and a fairy-tale wonderland during the festive months, Villa d’Este combines timeless elegance with near-faultless service, regardless of the season. Offering outstanding facilities spread across heavenly 25-acre gardens, this is Italy’s most notable grande dame. Read expert review

The oh-so-fashionable Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a must-stay address in Lake Como for the most discerning of travellers. It's well-known for its magnificent floating pool, but a better kept secret is the heavenly garden, complete with a tennis court and another pool, shaded by olive, palm and banana trees. There's a fabulous spa, rarefied dining and classical details abound. Read expert review

Il Sereno remains as fabulous as when it opened in 2016, revolutionising the Lake Como hotel scene with its contemporary Urquiola-designed interiors. Discerning guests take laps in the outdoor pool, enjoy a spin in fashionable Riva boats, and feast on perfectly executed dishes at the restaurant. Read expert review

The first and only five-star brand on the shores of Lake Como makes a splash with a surprisingly intimate retreat based around a 19th-century villa happily removed from the more mobbed areas of the lake. The ‘floating pool’ and super spa are undoubted highlights, though the Japanese/Italian fusion restaurant is also a must-visit. Read expert review

This charming 16th-century locanda has one of the most stunning locations on the lake, offering a peaceful and romantic setting right on the water. Relax by the swimming pool set amid olive trees and lemon groves, enjoy an aperitivo on the lakefront and dine to the sound of the water lapping against the stone building. Read expert review

Set on a hillside amid olive groves and fruit orchards overlooking the lake, Villa Arcadio is set in a beautifully restored building with original fresco motifs and vaulted interiors. There's an inviting swimming pool, a fitness trail winding through wooded slopes and an excellent restaurant offering creative cuisine. Read expert review

This family-run boutique beauty set in a handsome 15th-century palazzo offers tastefully furnished interiors exuding elegance and rugged sophistication. Raw textures, exposed ceiling beams and suffused lighting create a warm and enveloping ambience. The hearty breakfast offering will fuel you for your Como exploits. Read expert review

Nestled among vineyards a short drive east of Lake Garda, this beautiful 18th-century villa has well-appointed rooms featuring period furnishings and rich fabrics. The Italian gardens are embellished with statues, there’s a well-equipped Spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant serving exquisite Mediterranean cuisine. Read expert review

This stylish five-star retreat in Riva del Garda is housed in a grand Art Nouveau building immersed in greenery. Interiors are elegant and contemporary, with bold colour schemes and sleek designer touches lending a voguish vibe. There’s a lovely spa, and the restaurant serves excellent Italian cuisine. Read expert review

This sleek all-suite property exudes tranquillity and sophistication thanks to its earthy textures and natural colour palette. Guests can sunbathe by an infinity pool, paddle on Lake Orta and soak up panoramic views. They also have priority bookings at the nearby three Michelin-starred Villa Crespi. Read expert review

As you cross the threshold of this extraordinary Moorish palace you'll feel as if you've stepped into Aladdin's cave: glittering chandeliers, intricate arabesques, and marble columns are all around. It's renowned for its outstanding three-Michelin-starred restaurant run by celebrity chef Cannavacciuolo. Read expert review

A fabulous boutique hotel with sumptuous interiors fit for an empress, marrying classic Baroque elegance with fun designer fabrics in spectacular terraced gardens with pinch-me views. Sun yourself by the pool, unwind with a game of bocce, or glide across the lake on a boat – this is Lake Como at its most glamorous. Read expert review

This stylish boutique hotel with a contemporary minimalist design is among the very best around. The rooms feature industrial materials including iron, slate and cement, and the popular restaurant is excellent, serving Mediterranean cuisine with freshly sourced ingredients – make sure you book ahead. Read expert review

Lefay Resort has been carved into the mountainside in a spectacular location above Lake Garda. It has won scores of awards for its outstanding spa that offers a plethora of wellness experiences. Here, you'll find everything from traditional treatments to wellness programmes that focus on ameliorating sleep and posture. Read expert review

This hotel is a pleasingly stylish spot on Lake Orta’s western shore. Expect floor-to-ceiling glass windows and contemporary interiors, with comfy sofas, designer furnishings and large potted plants. Sip on superbly crafted cocktails at the bar or sit back and catch some rays by the stylish minimalist swimming pool. Read expert review

This elegant hotel, partly set in a former hunting lodge, has a wonderful lakefront location. Facilities are excellent (indoor and outdoor swimming pools, three saunas, two whirlpool tubs – to name a few), staff couldn’t be more welcoming, and the food is superb: an all-round winner. Read expert review

This is one of Lake Maggiore’s most sumptuous hotels, with opulent interiors featuring marble columns, stuccos and glittering Murano chandeliers alongside a melange of objects d’art that the owning Zanetta family have collected over the years. Large windows provide wonderful panoramic views of the lake islands. Read expert review

The hostel is decorated with eclectic, mismatched furniture, and offers both rooms and dormitories, all with en-suites. Head up to the stylish third-floor panoramic terrace to soak in the convivial atmosphere: there are regular music gigs, lively parties, and film screenings along with barbecue nights. Read expert review

Immersed in a botanical garden full of camellias and other blooms, La Camelia d’Oro is a flower-lover’s dream. This intimate cottage has mountain views and is in the perfect spot for exploring Lake Maggiore. Friendly service adds a personal touch to this peaceful setting. Read expert review