Which side of Lake Como? - Nota Bene Global (2024)

A comparison between Mandarin Oriental and Grand Hotel Villa d’Este, Lake Como.

The western shore of Italy’s most celebrated and arguably most beautiful lake, is generally considered the superior one.

Facing the sunrise, within short walking distance of the charming small town of Cernobbio and close to many of the lake’s most expensive privately owned villas, it is on this side of the lake that one of Europe’s best known iconic grande-dame hotels, Grand Hotel Villa d’Este is located.

However, one should not completely overlook the charm and attraction of the opposite eastern side of Lake Como, especially with the recent opening of a Mandarin Oriental hotel. Here, in manicured gardens, created by landscape designer Patrizia Pazzi, elevated above the lake at Blevio, the original Casta Diva (not a hotel we were ever fond of) has been given a complete makeover.

We enjoyed particularly the service and quality of food and beverage, especially lunches on the lovely terrace above the shoreline. It’s the small details like the quality of the breads, including our favourite charcoal grissini, the choice of olive oil and balsamic, together with the wine list, which caught our eye. They also serve a superb choice of pasta dishes especially the mezze paccheri and a spaghetti with a delicious sauce containing several varieties of tomato.

Guest accommodation is spread over the main 19th-century Villa Roccabruna building and several villas are set within the grounds. Golf carts ferry guests up and down from the hillier locations to the main hotel hub, while a fully serviced swimming pool floating on the lake benefits from a sunset aspect. We especially liked some of the suites in the main building and were impressed with the management team and staffing under stewardship of GM Samuel Porreca, well respected former GM of JK Capri.

We travelled to the lake in late August to compare the up-to-now undisputed grande-dame supremo, Villa d’Este, with the new Mandarin Oriental. We invite you to contact us as to how they fared and which is most likely to best suit you.

… We do the legwork so our clients reap the rewards

Meanwhile, fall is going to be a very busy period for the Nota Bene team travelling to review latest hotel openings, revisiting old favourites and discovering new destinations. The phrase “We do the legwork so our clients reap the rewards” endorses how everything has to meet our discerning eyes in the provision of a superior service.

Contact us to plan an incredible trip in Italy.

Which side of Lake Como? - Nota Bene Global (2024)

FAQs

Which side of Lake Como is Prettier? ›

A comparison between Mandarin Oriental and Grand Hotel Villa d'Este, Lake Como. The western shore of Italy's most celebrated and arguably most beautiful lake, is generally considered the superior one.

Which is the best side of Lake Como to stay? ›

One of the best places to stay is the town of Como itself. Located at the southwestern end of the lake, this is the largest town in the region and the main hub for visitors due to the excellent transport links with Milan and other hamlets around the lake.

Where does everyone go in Lake Como? ›

THE TOWNS OF LAKE COMO
  • BELLAGIO. Bellagio might be the most iconic destination on Lake Como. ...
  • COMO. Como is the largest settlement on Lake Como, the city where most visitors arrive by train. ...
  • LENNO. ...
  • MENNAGIO. ...
  • NESSO. ...
  • TREMEZZO. ...
  • VARENNA. ...
  • VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO (LENNO)

What is on the west side of Lake Como? ›

Lenno is a waterside town with unparalleled views across the Gulf of Venus, on the west side of Lake Como. Lenno is also home to some go-to spots such as the chic beachside restaurant and bar Lido di Lenno and the regally pretty promenade which leads to Villa Balbianello.

Which part of Lake Como is the most beautiful? ›

The most beautiful panoramic spots on Lake Como
  • Monte San Primo above Bellagio. To see our Lake Como from an optimal place, you should climb the San Primo mount. ...
  • Brunate. ...
  • Pigra. ...
  • Monte Bisbino. ...
  • Rifugio Menaggio. ...
  • Castello di Vezio Varenna.

What is the least touristy part of Lake Como? ›

Unlike the western side, the east is less covered with towns. There is less traffic and fewer tourists to be found at Lago di Lecco. Here you can get off the beaten path in Lake Como.

Which celebrity lives in Lake Como? ›

What celebrities live in and visit Lake Como? Oodles of A-listers, such as George Clooney, Madonna, Richard Branson, Sylvester Stallone, Gianni Versace, and soccer legend Ronaldinho, own or have owned villas around the shores of Lake Como.

How many days in Lake Como is enough? ›

If you have the time to stay in Lake Como for 4 days or longer, I cannot recommend enough to do it. There are so many beautiful places to explore and so many things to do.

Is Bellagio in Lake Como worth visiting? ›

Bellagio is the most famous of the towns along the shores of Lake Como. It is considered a touristic “must see” and has more visitors than any of the other towns.

Why can't you swim in Lake Como? ›

Parts of the Italian lakes are heavily polluted with some areas containing a concentration of faecal bacteria equal to at least twice the legal limit. 'Legambiente' the environment body, identifies the Lombardy Lakes of Como and Iseo as the worst for pollution and insufficiency of water purification / sewage plants.

What is the north side of Lake Como? ›

North Lake Como is the area composed by different little fishing villages, those dotted the north-western shore of Lario. The area is strategic to visit the lake and the sorroundings. These places are perfect to have a relaxed holiday between the water of the lake and the beauty of the nature.

Is Lake Como a walkable city? ›

Como is a walkable location surrounded by picturesque views of lakes and mountains. While you're here, enjoy activities like boating, sunbathing, and simply soaking up the stunning lakeside views. You can learn about the local heritage of Como at top landmarks like Cathedral of Como and Villa Olmo.

Is it better to stay in Lake Como or Bellagio? ›

Is it better to stay in Bellagio or somewhere else on Lake Como? There is no better place than the central lake area if you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of Lake Como with its lush gardens and stunning villas. So yes, it is better to stay in Bellagio if: You want to vacation in a wonderful small hamlet

Can you swim in any part of Lake Como? ›

The lake water is considered cold and because of the undercurrents it is unwise to swim far away from the shore. On hot days (the peak is in July and August), the water is cool . You can swim almost everywhere except near the ferry docks.

Is Lake Como prettier than Lake Garda? ›

As compared to Lake Como, Lake Garda is less refined, but in a mystifying and wild way that makes you feel like automatically relaxed amongst the hues of greens, blues and wooden accents. Even the towns and villages sprinkling the shoreline are far more subtle and more traditionally Italian than Lake Como.

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