Best Luxury Hotels in Lombardy

Those preferring a greener setting can book a stay at the Relais San Vigilio. Found in a provincial park, it houses nine bedrooms with minibars and soundproofing for an extra peaceful night’s sleep. A large outdoor terrace looks down across the city and the hotel’s manicured gardens, a delightful spot to enjoy a sundowner after a day’s sightseeing – there’s also a funky modern bar. Rooms are soothing and simple, making use of the building’s existing materials, revealing original stonework, brick, wood and curved ceilings. There’s a restaurant and snack bar, as well as a cosy fireside seating area in reception.

Just around the corner from Cappella Colleoni church, one of the most visited attractions in Bergamo, the GombitHotel sits at the intersection of two ancient Roman roads. The interiors are the work of forward-thinking young artists, crafted using simple materials and pastel hues to foster a sense of freedom and creativity. 15 bedrooms have an airy, urban feel. This is augmented by original features, such as heavily beamed wooden ceilings, adding an element of history to the otherwise contemporary styling. Housed in a stone tower, the alternative boutique hotel has a bar, a library, and a pool.

Converted and extended from a 19th-century villa, Villa Flori is a luxury 4-star hotel standing between Como and Cernobbio. As well as a selection of rooms and suites, it offers the spectacular Gran Lago Suite right on the waterfront complete with wraparound terrace and lush gardens that offer almost complete privacy. Hotel guests can dine in the sophisticated elegance of the Raimondo restaurant complete with terrace or relax in the lounge bar or wind down in the mini spa which also offer Technogym machines for a bit of a workout.

Located in the coastline town of Lezzeno, Filario Hotel has a modern aesthetic but a traditional sense of hospitality. Each room and suite has cosy balcony overlooking the lake and has an earthy, natural décor to connect with the surroundings while still being fitted with the best mod cons expected of a top-class hotel. The Filo restaurant takes you on a journey of traditional Italian food in a romantic setting and you can work off the excesses in the fitness room, a bicycle tour around the lake and mountains, or order en-suite massages and spa treatments.

With a view across to the lovely village of Bellagio, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of the most imposing hotels in the heart of Lake Como. Set in lush gardens with the Grigne Mountains as the backdrop, the lovely art nouveau hotel offers luxury accommodation in rooms and suites including a number of historic suites with facilities such as access to private garden areas, and also rooftop suites for spectacular views. Guests can dine in excellent gourmet restaurants (once patronised by Greta Garbo), enjoy treatments in a luxury spa, and swim in various lovely pools and from the lake’s only private beach.

Enjoying its status as the only 5-star hotel in Bellagio, Villa Serbelloni has been owned and run by the Bucher family since 1918. One of the oldest and most elegant hotels in this area of Lake Como, this hotel offers 95 air-conditioned rooms and suites decorated in classic and antique Italian styles with all mod cons including flat-screen TVs. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool with large sunbathing area, a spa with sauna and steam room, a fitness room, and beach facilities. A choice of restaurants and bars, a jazz trio performance each night, and white-gloved service means a pleasurable stay in luxurious surroundings.

A Michelin-starred restaurant and freshwater infinity pool set right on the lake are just two standout features of this luxury hotel in the village of Torno. Offering luxury accommodation (suites only) decorated by a Wallpaper Magazine Designer of The Year, Il Sereno has Lake Como lapping at its foundations. Panoramic views are complemented by high style and classic Italian design and guests can enjoy excellent facilities including a spa (in the original century-old boathouse) with sauna and steam room, beautifully kept gardens, on-site cooking lessons, and fishing.

Enjoying the dually beautiful location of the small town of Bellagio and Lake Como’s Bay of Pescallo with the Alps in the background, Hotel Belvedere is a charming hotel that has been in the same family for five generations, since 1880. Just a short walk away from the picturesque town centre, this hillside gem is a true retreat complete with swimming pool, jacuzzi, and spa. Luxury rooms and suites, a library, a bar, a restaurant that serves the best of local produce, and immaculate gardens make the Hotel Belvedere an ideal place to enjoy Lake Como.

A 19th-century mansion at the water’s edge, this five-star hotel by R Collection occupies an idyllic spot, surrounded by extensive gardens. Inside, the Art-Nouveau design building celebrates art concepts and Made in Italy. It has a lake view restaurant and gourmet restaurants, two bars, an outdoor heated swimming pool and a Technogym. Grand Hotel Victoria’s Erre Spa is quite something, with water paths, aroma and chromotherapy, an ice room, Himalayan Salt Room, tropical and waterfalls showers, a Kneipp path and an indoor pool surrounded by four-poster day beds. Rooms are sleek and contemporary, with style nodding to the early 20th century. Some come with balconies, but all have minibars and aircon.

Found only 100 meters from the Duomo, The Gray Sina is a five-star design hotel with an impressive Art Nouveau façade. Inside are 21 rooms and suites, decorated in a sophisticated contemporary style that utilises steel, glass, silk and natural woods, offset by daring touches, such as animal print textiles. Some are especially unique with features including suspended beds, private gyms and Turkish baths. It has three places to eat and drink; Le Noir restaurant for modern and delicate dishes in a cleverly lit dining room akin to a black container; the on-trend GBAR, and Aria, The Gray Sina’s alfresco lounge.

This boutique guesthouse follows an ethos of authenticity and personalised service, catering to a new generation of travellers. It comes from Neri Baccheschi Berti, whose family launched the award-winning Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany, and it only recently became a hotel; prior to this, it had been the Legnano racing bike factory and the Baccheschi Berti family’s fashion brand studio/showroom. Guests can curl up in the sitting room with a good book from Vico Milano’s curated library, work out in the gym and spend evenings in the hotel’s speakeasy bar, sampling Baccheschi Berti award-winning organic wines and nibbling on classic Italian snacks.

Finally, Hotel Viu is another pet-friendly luxury hotel, located close to Milan’s main financial district. It consists of 124 rooms, which all benefit from a contemporary aesthetic and understated colour scheme. Among the facilities at the hotel are a spa, a gym and an outdoor pool. Rooms offer free wi-fi and flat-screen Smart TVs, while Hotel Viu also boasts two main restaurants. The first is a more casual offering, known as the Bulk Restaurant, while the alternative is the more sophisticated Morelli Restaurant, which serves authentic Milanese food.