Few can resist the unique magic that emanates from Italy’s grandest lake. According to Virgil, Como is the greatest lake on earth, and Pliny the Younger owned a villa here where his porch always smelled like spring. The former palaces of princes, bishops, and painters have been replaced by the famous and rich (George Clooney has owned a villa here for over 20 years). Succession tells you all you need to know about the Roy family. Many of the historical villas lining the lake remain private abodes, while those that have been converted into hotels are considered some of the most luxurious in the world.
A selection of the best hotels in Lake Como, ranging from unassuming family-run properties to sleek newcomers.
For the best Lake Como getaways, bookmark these hotels
Passalacqua
The Passalacqua hotel is Lake Como’s most impressive and historic private villa, dating back to 1787. Having been acquired and reimagined by the same owners, Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s little sister was recently unveiled – which is thrice the size. Lydia Bell, our features editor, describes the new suites as “practically faultless.” From original frescoes and carvings on the veil to hand-blown Murano chandeliers, the attention to detail is extraordinary. It is also a good place to swim.
Il Sereno
As well as raising eyebrows, Sereno’s design reflects the area’s healthy vibe. A gorgeous pool sits close to a private stretch of beach by a pontoon that bobbles with hotel-owned Rivas. Moveable screens on the balconies transform each bedroom into a super-private, inside-outside den. A wonderful modern Italian meal is served at the restaurant by Executive Chef Raffaele Lenzi, but you should also visit Ristorante Vapore in Torno, which is loved by Robert De Niro and where locals go for great clam pasta and octopus carpaccio.
Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como
As the lakefront estate of Italian opera singer Giuditta Pasta, Mandarin Oriental acquired it in 2018. Designer Eric Egan revamped the interiors (also behind the Belmond Hotel Caruso renovation), sharpening the meticulous gardens and swimming pool. With Massimiliano Blasone overseeing the resort’s restaurants and bars, Mandarin Oriental added an afternoon tea lounge and spa in the basement. A rare new arrival on the lake, Mandarin Oriental’s first European resort seamlessly integrated into the scene.
Villa Lario
A picturesque high pinnacle looming over the lake, accessed abruptly from Como’s one road, this place feels definitively private, set apart, on its own picturesque high pinnacle. It is built on a 19th-century property that was once owned by the Lombardi family, but it has something no other five-star hotel in this area can match: it has its own secluded pontoon where guests can swim directly, only being disturbed by the occasional boat dropping someone off at lunchtime. The hotels in Como themselves do not encourage swimming for some reason. Even if you don’t stay, you should come to eat – just-caught fish, tomatoes from the hotel gardens – because this side of the lake is particularly authentic. It would be a shame if you didn’t stay here as well.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
On the shore between Lenno and Griante, this hotel is surrounded by panoramic views that would melt the heart of even Darth Vader. Anakin Skywalker and Princess Padmé are both in a daze in Attack of the Clones, their brains blasted by the snow-capped, sprawling green of the surrounding mountains and the clusters of pretty gardens surrounding them. A floating pool and an elegant restaurant (try the lake-bass carpaccio with cumin broth) make this old villa feel like the most romantic European cities. High corridors and ceremonial butlers; a Seventies Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider in the same damson red as the velvet in the bar; a touch of Budapest and Paris and Vienna.
Villa d’Este
While Elizabeth Taylor was having an affair with Richard Burton, this was her hideout. Laugh out loud at how ridiculous and hilarious it is. In the memories of the great director Mike Nichols, she was never noticed as long as she wore a large hat. A wealthy cardinal with a passion for art built the hotel in 1568 as his summer residence. The hotel features an enormous shelled grotto from the 17th century, decorative gardens surrounded by water that is so clear that you can see pebbles falling to the far bottom, and chefs wearing high white hats inspecting the engraved glass on bridal tables. While the sun sets on a flower-plumed promontory beyond, breakfast of Sicilian cannolis and iced espresso is enjoyed. A trail of fizzing water is left behind by boats cutting through the water. The whole audience watches – wondering where reality ends and dreaming begins.
