![The best Italian lake hotels - Lake Como](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/hotels/2023/june/lake%20Como%20getty%20image%20resized.jpg?imwidth=680)
The greatest Italian Lakes – and where to stay
Gorgeous hotels to check into on the shores of Italy's most fabulous lakes
![The best Italian lake hotels - Lake Como](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/hotels/2023/june/lake%20Como%20getty%20image%20resized.jpg?imwidth=680)
The Italian Lakes conjure heavenly images of ethereal beauty, with their deep blue waters set against striking mountainous backdrops and charming fishing villages squeezed onto slender shorelines. Plump lemons hang from trees, olive groves and vineyards carpet hillsides, while terraced gardens overflowing with bougainvillea, azaleas and camellias offer a flavour of the Mediterranean at the foot of the Alps. Sports enthusiasts will love the rugged north of Lake Garda while those looking for a quieter retreat may want to make for neighbouring Lake Iseo. Romantics will be drawn by the calm and intimate feel of little Lake Orta or the arresting vistas of Lake Como, while botanical enthusiasts won’t want to miss Lake Maggiore’s lush lakefront gardens.
No matter which lake you choose, there’s no shortage of wonderful hotels, from budget-friendly boutique boltholes nestled among quaint fishing villages to stylish, fashionable retreats offering striking lake panoramas. Many of the Lakes’ opulent villas have been converted into luxury hotels, some retaining a classic feel with sumptuous furnishings, elaborate frescoes, and beautifully preserved original features. Others have been redesigned to offer travellers a contemporary 21st-century look, with sleek fittings, hip designer décor and decadently fashionable infinity pools – with prices to match. All you need to do now is choose which lake best suits you. These are the best Italian Lake hotels.
Lake Como
With its glamorous lakeside properties and mahogany Riva boats zipping across deep blue waters, Lake Como oozes la dolce vita. Dotting the shoreline are charming villages and historical villas flanked by impeccably manicured gardens that are a riot of colour come spring. Charming Bellagio is one of the major draws, as is romantic Varenna, with its steep cobbled staircases and narrow lanes, although you won’t be the only one wandering their streets in high summer. Whilst the southern basin of the lake offers the most sensational views and an abundance of accommodation options, if you’re looking to escape the crowds make for North Lake Como, which remains largely unaffected by tourism – it’ll be kinder to your wallet, too.
Where to stay
Lake Garda
Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda is spread out over three of Italy’s regions. Its southern shore is characterised by gentle hills carpeted in olive groves and vineyards, with charming lakefront villages that have attracted their share of poets, artists and writers over the centuries. As you travel north to Trentino, the scenery becomes decidedly more dramatic, with steep cliffs plunging into deep blue waters. Lake Garda is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with water sports aplenty, including kitesurfing and sailing, along with climbing, mountain biking and canyoning. It’s one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations, with no shortage of accommodation options.
Where to stay
Lake Iseo
Nestled to the west of Lake Garda, little Lake Iseo is often overlooked in favour of its giant neighbour, yet it’s a pleasant little spot away from the crowds. It’s home to Europe’s largest lake island, Monte Isola, an inhabited island that’s a calm and peaceful retreat, with a perimeter promenade that’s best travelled on two wheels. The Via Valeriana, once an ancient trading route, is a popular hiking route that snakes through olive groves and vineyards, while lying to the southeast is Franciacorta, a hilly region that produces some of the country’s finest sparkling wine. From vineyard stays to hotels exuding old-fashioned charm, the lake offers a handful of agreeable options to bed down.
Where to stay
Lake Maggiore
Once a popular resort for European nobility on their Grand Tour, Lake Maggiore is a peaceful spot offering a smattering of impressive sights. With palm trees and classically styled hotels lining the front, Stresa is the jumping off point for the Isole Borromee, home to spectacular Baroque palazzi and terraced gardens (complete with white peacocks strutting around Isola Madre). The northern part of the lake is more sedate, with tranquil lakeside villages, and walking routes meandering through wooded landscapes. Pop over to charming little Lake Mergozzo, which offers some of the cleanest waters of Italy’s pre-alpine lakes; it was once part of Lake Maggiore, today connected to the lake via a marshy 2.7km canal.
Where to stay
Lake Orta
Lying entirely in Piedmont, beautiful little Lake Orta is one of the most captivating of the lakes, yet remains largely unexplored, with its neighbour Lake Maggiore attracting the bulk of tourists. The medieval village of Orta San Giulio is an utter delight, with narrow, cobbled streets lined with sugared-almond buildings and a picturesque piazza with boats bobbing up and down in the marina. Isola San Giulio is another highlight, a charming lake island home to a monastery housing a community of nuns. The last few years have seen a couple of great new additions to the lake’s hotel offering, making this a lovely choice for a romantic weekend away.
Where to stay