by Daniel | Last Updated December 4th, 2021
You can’t just go to Lake Como once. The moment you see this vast Italian lake with its towering mountain background and stunning waterside buildings, you’ll fall in love and want to come back every year.
The best hotels in Lake Como are exquisite experiences all by themselves as well. From the grandest upscale resort hotels you could imagine, all the way down to the pretty 10-room hotels covered in climbing flowers, staying lakeside feels like you’re in heaven.
In the very north of Italy just south of the Swiss border, Lake Como is a huge Y-shaped lake with branches leading to the cities of Como and Lecco. The lakeside is dotted with beautiful towns like Bellagio, where you’ll get unbelievable views of Lake Como and mountains.
While visiting Rome takes you to the heart of Italy, this iconic destination is packed with things to do as well. Take a boat ride on Lake Como to see the settlements from the water or ride the funicular to Brunate for a bird’s eye view of Lake Como.
Tour the lake’s edge to visit the stunning, colorful villages that line it and relax in street cafes or in some of Italy’s finest restaurants. You could stay here for a full month and never be bored.
Choosing where to stay in Lake Como can be tricky with so many outstanding hotels. I’ve listed 10 of the best hotels here to whittle down your choice and reveal just how extraordinary the accommodation is right here on Como lake.
Read on and prepare to be amazed!
Best Hotels Lake Como
1. Filario Hotel & Residences
While many of Lake Como’s hotels are built in the Renaissance style, Filario is a modern and sleek hotel that makes wonderful use of glass and stone. The rooms have phenomenal views of Lake Como with balconies where you can enjoy your morning coffee in the Italian sunshine and prepare for the day ahead.
Filario has both rooms and separate residencies which feature kitchens, living rooms, and up to three bedrooms each. With sun terraces overlooking the water, these residences are perfect for families who want more space to feel right at home.
Five miles south of Bellagio, the Filario Hotel is in the pretty town of Lezzeno and within easy reach of Lake Como’s sights and attractions.
Staying in this boutique hotel means you don’t have to lift a finger, even for activities. Go kayaking, paddle boarding, and wakeboarding, all organized by Filario.
2. Mandarin Oriental
If you’re looking for pure luxury on your stay in Lake Como, the Mandarin Oriental will meet and exceed your expectations. This huge five-star hotel right on the shoreline just north of Como city is a slice of paradise.
Inside, you’ll find sweeping staircases, marbles floors, and rooms so beautiful you’ll forget about the scenery just outside the door. This luxury hotel has rooms, suites, villas, and penthouses to choose from and you’ll always have astounding views.
Set into botanical gardens, simply walking around the grounds is a relaxing experience. For true pampering though, you can take advantage of the hotel’s 1,300 sqm spa area. Enjoy the pool, treatments, and steam bath after a full day of sightseeing.
3. Palazzo Albricci Peregrini
In the heart of Como city, just a short walk from the famous cathedral and basilica, you’ll find this cozy and welcoming hotel.
A rustic boutique hotel, the Palazzo Albricci Peregrini shows that you don’t have to spend huge amounts of money to enjoy a blissful hotel stay on Lake Como. Set in a historic building, the owners have embraced the beauty of their hotel’s history and retained bare stone walls in rooms.
With a peaceful courtyard garden, staying in this wonderful hotel will make you feel as though you’ve discovered a secret space in Como’s center. It’s perfectly placed too, at just a ten-minute walk to the ferry dock and a short walk from the Brunate funicular.
4. VISTA Palazzo Lago di Como
Balancing modern style with its 1800s history, VISTA is a five-star hotel in what must be the best location in Como. Set right on the square at the city’s waterfront, this exceptional building will take your breath away as you step inside.
VISTA has both rooms and suites all decorated in classic Italian style with luxury furnishings and fine Italian furniture. The friendly staff will organize trips, activities, and even personalized meals for you in your suite if you fancy it.
It’s easy to explore Como on foot from VISTA with the immense cathedral just behind the hotel. Take boat rides from the docks moments away or book a tour through the hotel to see Como Lake’s most beautiful towns.
Whatever you need for your Lake Como vacation, VISTA can help.
5. Il Sereno
Just up the lakeshore from Como city and with its own Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Sereno is one of the best luxury hotels in Lake Como. Making artistic use of wood and glass, this hotel is designed as a modern luxury space that stands out among Lake Como’s more traditional accommodation.
Built into the boathouse, Il Sereno’s spa is second-to-none and complete with an outdoor swimming pool over the water. Even the treatment rooms have lake views and there can’t be a better way to relax than right here.
If you’ve always dreamed of exploring Lake Como on a classic wooden Italian boat, you’ll be in paradise as Il Sereno has three flawless boats that look like they’re straight out of an old movie.
Ristorante Al Lago is Il Sereno’s Michelin-starred restaurant where Chef Berton spoils guests with incredible Italian food throughout the day. Using fresh, local ingredients, you’ll be amazed at every meal.
6. Villa d’Este
On the western shore of Lake Como north of Como city, you’ll find the five-star hotel Villa d’Este in Cernobbio. Staying here will make you feel like royalty thanks to its classic palatial interior and aristocratic history.
With a beautiful private park, this hotel has absolutely everything you could want and more. Swim in the huge floating swimming pool over Lake Como, play tennis in the sunshine, and make use of the hotel’s very own 18-hole golf course.
Villa d’Este is more than a hotel, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This magnificent hotel was built in 1568 as a residence for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio and has 152 rooms, all more opulent than anything you might’ve seen before.
The hotel’s beauty center offers massages, aesthetic therapies, and treatments that will leave you feeling younger and healthier than ever before.
In short, Villa d’Este is not just one of the best Lake Como hotels, it might well be the best.
7. Relais Villa Vittoria
Staying in a lakeside palace would be a wonderful experience but you don’t have to part with so much money so stay in a beautiful hotel. Relais Villa Vittoria is an affordable and still luxurious waterfront place to stay.
This traditional hotel has a range of wonderful rooms across a good price range so you can experience all the benefits of an amazing hotel even with a small budget.
With delicious dining on the La Piazetta Terrace, picnic lunches available, and even candlelit gazebo dinners, you’re guaranteed to be eating in style here. During the day you can make use of the hotel’s kayaks and bikes or swim in the infinity swimming pool.
If you’ve always wanted to cook Italian food like a true local, sign up for a cooking class in the hotel’s special kitchen views of Lake Como. You’ll not just get to make mouthwatering food, but you’ll be able to take this skill back home with you and make tiramisu for all your friends.
Let the hotel take care of your excursions too and book a fantastic boat tour of Como lake. From the deck, you’ll see Lake Como’s quaint towns stretching up from the lakeside and marvel at the mountain backdrop in the fierce Italian sun.
8. Hotel Villa Flori
A four-star, 19th-century hotel right on the edge of Lake Como not far from Como city, Hotel Villa Flori is perfect if you’re looking for an affordable yet high-class hotel. There are 53 rooms and suites, each with perfect lake views so you’ll wake up and gaze straight at nature every morning.
Hotel Villa Flori has its own private boat dock and Lake Como boat excursions can be organized easily. From your balcony, you’ll be able to see the mountaintop Brunate, the villages opposite, and even the dome of Como’s cathedral.
Thanks to the hotel’s excellent position between Como city and Cernobbio, you can easily explore both these wonderful places without having to go far at all.
In summer, dine out on the terrace of the hotel’s Raimondi restaurant or relax in its refined interior should the weather turn a little chilly. Either way, you’ll enjoy the delicious Italian dishes served up and twinned with a perfect wine.
The in-house spa is included in the rate of your stay so don’t hesitate to try out the Turkish bath or the sunroom with its sweeping views of Lake Como.
9. Hotel Florence
It’s hard to imagine there are even more fantastic hotels in Lake Como and I’m sure you’re ready to book your flights. But Hotel Florence is well-worth considering if you’re looking for a place to stay in the famous Bellagio.
This exquisite town sits right at the junction of Lake Como’s two branches and has some of the best views of the whole lake. Bellagio is a must-visit highlight of any Como vacation so when you stay here, you get the best of everything.
Hotel Florence is a wonderful mid-sized hotel with a cozy interior and beautiful furnishings. It’s packed with a character from its friendly staff to its array of antiques and has played host to many famous faces over the years. Despite its long and impressive history, the prices are very affordable and the location excellent.
One of the highlights has got to be the visually stunning wisteria-covered dining terrace. Eat out here in the dappled sunshine and you’ll never want to go home.
10. Albergo Milano
The terms ‘budget’ and ‘Lake Como’ might not often go together but you can find plenty of fantastic hotels at very affordable prices. Albergo Milano is one such hotel, right in the center of Varenna.
Varenna itself is a beautiful little town with churches, villas, and a picturesque waterfront. The hotel sits within walking distance of everything including the town dock where you can hop on a boat and explore the rest of Lake Como.
In a historic and traditional building, Albergo Milano is full of character and everywhere you can see evidence of its wonderful history. Sip cocktails on the terrace while enjoying the mountain views over the lake or put on your best sunglasses and sunbathe on your own private balcony.
The owners know Varenna better than anyone and are always happy to give guests recommendations about restaurants, shopping, and trips. Albergo Milano is a great base for hiking up behind the town and visiting the popular gardens at Villa Cipressi.
If you want all the glory of a Lake Como vacation without emptying your bank account, Albergo Milano is the home from home you’ve been searching for.
Book into one of the Best Hotels in Lake Como
The Italians are blessed with Lake Como and Lake Como is blessed with outstanding hotels. From the most opulent of five-star palaces to the friendliest of family-run small hotels, you’ll fall in love with Lake Como before your first day is done.
No matter where you stay, you’ll find it easy to take boat trips to other towns and explore old, winding streets packed with history. The best hotels in Lake Como will always advise you on trips or organize them for you personally so just ask at the front desk.
Now you’re ready to head off on your Italian adventure, check out all the best travel accessories you’ll need for your trip!