Seven villages, seven moods: One perfect stay per stop around Lake Como

From the cobblestone lanes of Bellagio to the hillside gardens of Moltrasio, Lake Como’s villages each carry a distinct character. This guide to Lake Como accommodation maps seven of the shoreline’s most cherished stops – and pairs each with the hotel that suits it best, from storied palazzos to contemporary lakeside retreats

Shimmering waters. Italian glamour. George Clooney. You’re across the Lake Como basics already, right? But to make the most of this resplendent location, it is important to scratch beneath the glittering surface to better understand the distinct pace, atmosphere and style of the region’s many picturesque villages.

Set in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, about 50 kilometres from fashion-forward Milan, Lake Como is a gift for luxury travellers, with incredible stays and scenery dotted along the shoreline. Regular trains connect Milan with Como town in about an hour and, from there, the journey around the lake can continue by ferry, road transfer or private boat. 

Given its resort-chic credentials, it stands to reason that visitor numbers peak in summer, while late spring and early autumn are the sweet spots for pleasant weather, open attractions and a more relaxed experience. Keep in mind, many hotels, restaurants, bars and tourist businesses are seasonal and will be closed, or operate on reduced hours, in cooler months. 

Around the shoreline, Lake Como offers a roll call of glamorous stays. From buzzy to breezy, these are some of the region’s most cherished villages and the best hotels and resorts to discover.

Bellagio

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Lake’, Bellagio is the quintessential Lake Como setting. Cobblestone stairways connect boutique shops, cafes and galleries in the historic centre, many tinted by the gentle pastels that characterise the popular village. 

On the waterfront (where else?), the historic Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is an incredible property, exuding old-world Italian elegance. Part of the esteemed Relais & Châteaux collection, the hotel comprises 94 rooms and suites, each with its own style and design, and featuring, among other delights, handcrafted antique furniture and hand-sewn silk bedspreads. Other highlights include a lakefront beach club, with a stunning pool, panoramic views and retro feel; a 1500-square-metre spa, featuring a hammam, hydropools, private spa suite and bespoke treatment menu; and five dining options, where exceptional cuisine comes with a side of impeccable service.

Torno

Also on Lake Como’s eastern shore, Torno offers a peaceful escape, where tourists are few yet beauty is abundant. The village is just seven kilometres from Como proper, making travel between the two a cinch, be it via ferry or taxi. Old stone buildings and quaint cafes surround the waterfront Piazza Casartelli; brightly coloured buildings and the 13th-century Chiesa di Santa Tecla frame the port area, Porticciolo; and walking trails lead to an array of vantage points.

For a contemporary interpretation of the region’s natural beauty, Il Sereno Lago di Como is a lakeside gem. Simple, purposeful design creates a seamless flow throughout the all-suite property, which also boasts a private beach and dock – all the better for arriving via one of the hotel’s custom-built boats. All 40 suites are lake-facing with high ceilings and private terraces; dining celebrates local produce and cuisine, and is Michelin-recognised; and the spa, including a gym, sauna, steam room and over-lake pool, is pure bliss.

Blevio

Set against the foothills, Blevio is a secluded village that allows visitors to retreat from the crowds. Villas and gardens spill down the hillside, following its contours and creating another picturesque Lake Como scene.

Spread across nine grand buildings and surrounded by centuries-old botanical gardens, Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como is surely Blevio’s grandest address. Its centrepiece is the 18^th-century Villa Roccabruna, housing 10 of the property’s 75 guestrooms, suites and villas, including the 93-square-metre penthouse. Accommodations are contemporary – a reflection of the brand more than the setting – bathed in natural light and feature views (and in some cases private terraces) over the lake or grounds. Fresh Asian and Italian cuisine impresses in postcard-perfect dining outlets, the wellness offering is holistic and deeply restorative, and families are thoughtfully accommodated, as is standard with Mandarin Oriental.

Tremezzo

Part of Tremezzina, a string of villages stretching along the western shore, Tremezzo is one of Lake Como’s most beloved resort locations. Beautiful scenery, historic villas, immaculate greenery and easy lake access are hallmarks of the village, which sits roughly halfway between Como town and Menaggio. As in Bellagio, Tremezzo offers a classic Lake Como experience, although here, expect languid days rather than village buzz. 

Those days are ideally spent at the utterly decadent Grand Hotel Tremezzo. The Art Nouveau masterpiece, which would look very much the part in a Wes Anderson film, is a vision in buttermilk yellow and Hermès orange, creating a delightful palette against the natural blues and greens of Lake Como. Poolside (there are three to choose from) or beachside, the glamour is unmatched and it continues throughout the property. Rooms and suites are bedecked in period décor, beautiful dining destinations cover the gamut from casual waterfront drinks to fine Italian fare and T Spa, located inside the 18^th-century Villa Emilia, has every indulgence covered.

Cernobbio

Its proximity to Como town makes Cernobbio a convenient choice, although it tends to be the elegance and privacy that lures luxury travellers to this quiet village on the western shore. With views stretching across the lake towards Como and the mountains, visitors can expect every bit the glam landscape, yet the atmosphere is distinctly more residential, perfect for those who prefer a discreet version of luxury.  

A Lario icon, Villa d’Este is a lesson in classic Italian hospitality at every turn. Set within 10 hectares of centuries-old parkland, the property was designed in 1568 as a summer residence for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, and retains its majesty today as a 151-key hotel. Palatial interiors, manicured gardens and the legendary floating pool are the stuff of Lake Como dreams, but its greatest appeal is perhaps the sense of staying inside a piece of Italian history. From ornate salons to lakefront terraces, everything is designed for lingering, whether over lunch, an aperitivo or a slow afternoon by the water.

Cadenabbia

A storybook hamlet in the municipality of Griante, Cadenabbia occupies a prime position on the western shore, with views across the lake to Bellagio and easy access to ferry routes. The waterfront promenade, a parade of autumn-hued buildings, is lined with cafés, restaurants and hotels. Among them, The Lake Como EDITION.

The property’s grand façade, punctuated by ornate French balconies, retains the architectural bones of this 19th-century palazzo, while a meticulous restoration brings a modern expression to the historic setting. Across 148 rooms, suites and penthouses, refined materials in neutral tones provide a pared-back foundation for custom furnishings, while many add private balconies and lake views. The Longevity Spa is a standout, with science-backed wellness delivered (think biohacking, diagnostics and holistic therapies) in a state-of-the-art facility, complete with floor-to-ceiling lake views.

Moltrasio

Rising from the waterfront, Moltrasio is a characterful commune where stone stairways and narrow pedestrian lanes weave between quiet hillside hamlets. Historic villas and gardens speak to Moltrasio’s long association with aristocratic summer retreats, something today’s luxury travellers might like to recreate at Passalacqua, a hotel that promises to take your breath away.

The exquisite 18th-century property, with terraced parkland that tumble towards the water, was built with dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing) in mind. Its resurrection as a 24-room resort holds that ethos firm. Do nothing in an elegant villa or suite, reclined on antique furnishings and surrounded by sumptuous décor; do nothing waterside, lounging by the lake or pool; do nothing but indulge in vibrant Italian cuisine. And all in front of a view worth relishing. 

There are also, it should be said, various ways to do something.