this stunning region was long a coveted retreat for the fashionable and fabulous. Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore are northern Italy’s prized gems offering an idyllic landscape of gorgeous nature and luxurious elegance. The ambiance in the lakes area is so serene and enchanting -you feel it instantly.

 

 

Lake Como:
Although all of the northern lakes are lovely, Como – the best known, is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown. Como’s exceptional beauty makes it the perfect place to laze and lounge while enjoying the magnificence of the lakes. And this swanky locale features an array of top luxury hotels with swoon-worthy lake vistas.

 

 

Where To Stay:
Some of Como’s many prestigious 5-star gems include:
The iconic Villa D’Este in Cernobbio, is Lake Como’s ultimate grand dame hotel. Frequented by royalty, Milanese counts, movie stars, luminaries and jet setters, this legendary hotel has been the place to stay since its debut in 1873. This historic palace-turned-hotel, a remarkable exemplar of the grandeur of Renaissance culture features magnificent gardens, fountains, ornamental basins, the Queens Pavilion and more. Alfred Hitchcock was so enamored with the setting he filmed ‘The Pleasure Garden’ on the hotel grounds. It’s not surprising that George and Amal often dine here when they’re in residence on the lake.
www.villadeste.com

 

Villa Passalacqua, set on the sunrise side of the lake in Moltrasio with sweeping water views, was voted the best hotel in the world in 2023 by the prestigious World’s 50 Best Hotels Group. This gorgeous family-owned palatial property set in an 18th-century villa features 24 sumptuous rooms with every detail curated, including taffeta, frescoes and the ravishing Bellini suite. A 65-foot-long swimming pool, terraces, rose garden, magnolia garden, and ancient olive grove provide an idyllic setting. Recognized for its design details, and unique “magic”, notable guests include Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill among others. www.passalacqua.it/en

 

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, sister property to Passalacqua, housed in an art nouveau villa on the western shores of Lake Como, offers glorious views across the water toward Bellagio and the Grigne mountain range. Guests love the posh rooms and suites, lakeside private beach and their showpiece floating water-on the-water pool. Renowned for its splendor and architecture, Lake Como’s Grand Hotel Tremezzo was forever immortalized in the 1932 film Grand Hotel, when Greta Garbo called it “that happy, sunny place ”- which still holds true today.
www.grandhoteltremezzo.com/en

 

The renowned Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, the only 5-star luxury hotel in Bellagio – the picturesque village around Lake Como, hosted Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy among other notables. Full of charm and tradition with high frescoed ceilings, sparkling chandeliers and grand marble staircase, guests get to live like 19th century aristocrats. Rooms and villas are all unique, with striking period furnishings showcasing opulent interiors. The palm-fringed lakeside pool and lush Italianate garden are great spots to take in the sweeping water views.
www.villaserbelloni.com/en

 

The Newest: Launched this past March, 2025 the glamorous Nuvole Garden Hotel perched on a hilltop above Lake Como in Brunate, is the most recent Como opening. Formerly the Grand Hotel Milano, an Art Deco masterpiece frequented by cinema icons in the 1950s, it has been spectacularly transformed into an exclusive resort showcasing timeless elegance. Here guests enjoy enchanted gardens, The Nuvole Fountain with surrounding pool and colorful cabanas along with a dazzling panoramic rooftop terrace overlooking Lake Como.
www.nuvolegarden.com

 

 

Future Hotel Openings:
The ever-popular Como upcoming hotel openings: Six Senses Lake Como will arrive in Cadenabbia; Bellagio will see a Ritz Carlton and Belmond will re-do the Castello di Urio to create a luxurious oasis.

 

 

Business/Mice:
The Hilton Lake Como – a favorite of Mice and business travelers as well as leisure visitors – is a sleek modern resort with a large, inviting handsome lobby filled with comfy couches, chairs and tables – perfect for meets and cocktails. The crowd here is quite stylish. Just a few minute’s walk on the scenic lake promenade to Como’s center, this former silk factory has been transformed into an attractive, trendy hotel with spacious, well appointed, light airy rooms and suites. In addition to the heated outdoor rooftop pool overlooking the shimmering lake, there’s a full service spa with indoor pool. Famed Terrazza 241, the fashionable and popular rooftop bar/restaurant offers crafted poolside cocktails and light bites by day, and Italian inspired dining by night with soaring vistas of Lake Como.
www.hilton.com

 

 

A Boat Tour:
The best way to experience Lake Como is on the water with a private boat tour and guide. Although the ferry service is excellent and connects the main towns along the shore, the private boat tour allows easier access to some estates and villas and lets you experience the extraordinary beauty of Lake Como in comfort and style, without the crowds.

 

Gliding along the water you’ll see lavish villas, charming towns, and verdant gardens as you take in the alluring landscape where people come from near and far for inspiration and serenity on this beautiful lake. Key sights include: Villa Erba, Villa D’Este, Villa Fontanelle (the former Villa Versace), Villa Passalacqua, Villa Pliniana, Villa Carlotta, and Villa Oleandra (George and Amal Clooney’s Villa). Enjoy impressive views of Comacina Island, the Roman bridge of Nesso, a cascading waterfall and a visit to Villa
del Balbianello.

 

 

Villa del Balbianello
A stop at magnificent Villa del Balbianello, one of the most glamorous locations on Lake Como, only reachable by boat, is not to be missed( guided property tour booked in advance ). This exquisite historical palazzo on the north side of Lake Como, was built by Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio at the end of 16th century for his main residence. Each successive owner including famous explorer Guido Monzino with his dazzling collection of world treasures, enlarged and embellished it – adding to its splendor. Today Villa Balbianello is the largest private residence on the lake, with vast, impeccable gardens, outdoor swimming pool, boathouse, ethereal lake views and interiors rich with lavishly decorated rooms filled with finest objets d’art, original frescoes, beautiful antiques, extraordinary artifacts and priceless relics. The villa hosts weddings, celebrations and movie sets such as ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Casino Royale’ which were filmed here. Most recently the villa was featured in the film “House of Gucci.”

 

 

Back On Land – Explore The Town Of Como:
The Town of Como has a lovely lakeside promenade lined with villas and landmark buildings. A scenic marina with boats galore and ferries is dotted with benches to sit and take in the gorgeousness of the shimmering lake. There’s a vibrant center in the old town with fine boutiques and Piazza Duomo – the main square that houses the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, an eclectic blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The squares of Piazza Volta and Piazza Mazzini surrounded by wine bars and Art Nouveau are known for their lively nightlife. Nearby, Via Olginati and Via Vitani offer a portal into Como’s past with historic trattorias and traditional shops.

 

 

Bellagio
Picturesque Bellagio with its charming cobblestone streets, colorful houses and brilliant water views is often considered the most beautiful town on all the lakes. Here you’ll find a lively waterfront lined with cafes and gelaterias and steep medieval alleyways filled with al fresco eateries, fashionable boutiques with stunning silks, local food specialties and craft shops aplenty. Visit the Romanesque Church of San Giacomo with its 12th-century pulpit and ancient church bells you’ll hear throughout the town. Then, head to the famous Neo-Classical Villa Melzi’s gorgeous gardens and immerse yourself in glorious nature.

 

 

Dining:
Crotto dei Platani in Brienno, set on the water (with a dock so guests can arrive by boat ) features tables on verandas offering breathtaking Lake Como views. Owner Francesco Cavadini, took over from his parents honoring the establishment’s long tradition of using locally-sourced, seasonal food and there’s a story with every dish. Chef Andrea Cremonesi takes guests on a sensory journey with inspired creations like: White fish tartare with black truffle; Spumone, smoked, carpione, marinated, in concia, in green sauce, in red wine, missoltino with polenta; Sautéed prawn tails with spicy eucalyptus honey, borage and buffalo mozzarella cream; and Fresh durum roasted wheat pasta with lake fish, capers and confit Pachino tomatoes.

 

Salice Blu In Bellagio is a must. The talented, entertaining and famous Chef and TV star Luigi Gandola, who learned the art of cooking from his father, uses artisanal ingredients from the region and lake to create delightful dishes that dance on your palate. You can dine inside the cozy restaurant or on the scenic terrace amid the lush greenery. Chef Luigi, who wrote the cookbook – The Flavors of Lake Como, delivers dishes paired with his humorous storytelling and creates lasting memories for guests. Some of the mouth-watering specialties include: Lake fish foam in a yellow tomato guazzetto with spicy shoots and lake caviar; Fresh re-milled semolina tagliatelle with veal ragu (Papà Mino’s original recipe) and Paccheri stuffed with crescenza and datterino tomatoes with a ragù. The esteemed eatery also offers an array of impressive culinary experiences such as cooking lessons, cheese tasting, truffle hunting, even a boat tour with Chef Luigi himself followed by a 7 course  tasting menu.

 

Getting There: Neos Airlines is adding a fourth weekly flight from New York to Milan, June to October 2025. I highly recommend the carrier’s premium service with its spacious, extremely comfortable seats, excellent meals and dedicated, professional, personable crew. I love this airline.
us.neosair.com

 

Como is a 40-minute drive from Milan Malpensa airport. It’s also accessible by train.