Destinations

5-Star Hotel Guide

Lake Como

Lake Como is a captivating wishbone-shaped lake with luxury villas dotted along its shoreline

Lake Como
Lake Como

5-star guide to Lake Como

In the foothills of the Alps, just an hour’s drive from Milan, Lake Como a is a glacial wishbone-shaped lake, which has captivated the hearts of poets and romantics for centuries. Beguiled by the setting, in 1818 Percy Bysshe Shelley famously wrote: "This lake exceeds anything else I have ever beheld in beauty” and it's still easy to appreciate these sentiments today as you sip an aperitif on the lawn of your lakeside luxury villa.

Quiet during the winter, Lake Como re-awakens in mid-March, attracting the wealthy and glamorous to its shores and pretty towns. For the luxury explorer the decision is whether to stay in a lake-view suite at one of the grand hotels or a private luxury villa close to the lapping water. Whichever you choose you will be enraptured by the views.

The lake's two best 5-star hotels are Villa d'Este near Cernobbio in the south west and Grand Hotel Tremezzo in the middle of the lake, directly facing Bellagio.

However, for those that want the ultimate Lake Como experience, Luxury Explorer has brought together a cherry-picked collection of the best luxury villas on the shores of Lake Como. These exquisite villas satisfy the most discerning traveller looking for historic opulence and privacy in the most idyllic setting. This is a luxury collection suited to very special vacations and memorable private celebrations.

All our Lake Como luxury villas are positioned directly on the lakeside or within parks that border the lake. Beware of those that appear to be 'lakeside' when, infact, they overlook the lake from the other side of a busy road.

From our handpicked Lake Como collection, choose between aristocratic palaces like Villa Sola Cabiati, grand lakeside residences like Villa Marie Taglioni, villas with hotel services including lovely Villa Cima, or the totally private lakeside estate containing the lovely Villa la Cassinella - read our travel editor's exclusive review, 'Ladies who Lake Como' when she was invited for tea with George Clooney.

The exquisite Villa Balbiano is a 16th Century palazzo that has been totally restored by Jacques Garcia into a palatial lakeside villa, with space to entertain up to 28 guests in absolute luxury. This is the perfect place to celebrate something very special or host the most magnificent of weddings.

All our Lake Como luxury villas are fully staffed with housekeepers and chefs are available at your request. We can even arrange stylish private launches to ferry you between your villa, restaurants and the many stylish shops.

Whether you favour spring, winter, summer or autumn, Lake Como offers a unique year-round experience, which, once enjoyed, you will yearn to be repeated.