A beautiful, very historic hotel with a stunning spa and the lake’s best swimming. The dated decor and Bellagio’s crowds are why I usually steer clients to Villa d’Este.

Region: Bellagio, where Lake Como’s branches meet
Style: Historic grand hotel
Perfect for: Lovers of historic Italian hotels and art, swimmers, travelers set on Bellagio
My ranking: #06 in my Lake Como hotels ranking

The review

Very historic and beautifully kept, with a stunning modern spa and the best place on the lake to actually swim — in the middle of very busy Bellagio.

I stayed at Villa Serbelloni in October 2026, and it’s an interesting hotel. I’m still making up my mind about it. It’s very, very historic, and the rooms are beautifully maintained, but the decor is a bit too old for my taste.

What I loved: the spa, which is stunning and surprisingly modern for a hotel this historic; the little speakeasy cocktail bar; and the pool, beach and floating pier you can jump into the lake from. In summer, it would be the best hotel on the lake for actually swimming. Service is formal, but warm, and I never felt unwelcome.

The bigger question is Bellagio. It’s the lake’s most famous village, and it’s incredibly crowded. I was there in October and couldn’t imagine July and August. If you love old Italian hotels and art and Bellagio is the point of your trip, it’s a beautiful choice. Otherwise, I usually steer clients to Villa d’Este.

Villa Serbelloni’s beach with loungers, umbrellas and a floating pier on the lake — The beach and floating pier

A suite at Villa Serbelloni with a chandelier, frescoed ceiling and red velvet furniture — Very historic, beautifully maintained

A room at Villa Serbelloni with a balcony over Lake Como — Ask for a lake-view room with a balcony

What stood out

The details that made the list

01: The spa. Stunning and modern, a beautiful contrast to the historic hotel around it, and a real reason to book.
02: The swimming. A pool, a beach and a floating pier to jump into the lake from. For getting in the water, it’s the best setup I’ve seen on Como.
03: The speakeasy. A little cocktail bar tucked away inside the hotel. I loved it.
04: Formal, but warm. The service is old-school and polished, without ever feeling cold.

Know before you book

The Fine Print, From Your Advisor

01: Bellagio is crowded. Packed with day-trippers, even in October; July and August would be a nightmare. You can visit Bellagio easily by boat from almost anywhere on the lake, so think hard about whether you want to sleep there.
02: The decor is very traditional. Frescoes, chandeliers, damask and antiques, all beautifully kept. If you love that, you’ll love it here. If you prefer something fresher, look elsewhere.
03: A big hotel with the village at the door. More than 90 rooms and three places to eat on property, plus all of Bellagio’s restaurants outside the front door.
04: Arrive by boat. A car to Como, then a boat. The lake road from the town of Como takes 45 minutes to an hour and it’s narrow and winding. I arrange a private car from Milan to the water in Como, then about 30 minutes by private boat to the hotel’s dock. It’s the best way to arrive, especially on a honeymoon.
05: Considering Villa d’Este too? Most of my clients would be happier there. Here’s why: Villa d’Este or Villa Serbelloni.

Book Villa Serbelloni through me

Fora perks.
And someone who knows the hotel.

Work with me and you get two things: Fora perks, and someone who knows Villa Serbelloni personally. As a Fora advisor, my clients typically receive a space-available upgrade, daily breakfast, and a hotel credit. I know the property and the team, so I personalize your stay, from the room I request to what’s arranged before you arrive, and I’m your direct line to them while you’re there. Rates are identical to booking direct.

When are you thinking?

If Bellagio and a grand historic hotel are what you want, let me find you the right lake-view room, time it away from the crowds, and arrange the boat from Como.

My Lake Como pairing → Villa d’Este or Villa Serbelloni →

Very historic and beautifully kept, with a stunning modern spa and the best place on the lake to actually swim — in the middle of very busy Bellagio.

The details that made the list

The Fine Print, From Your Advisor

Fora perks.And someone who knows the hotel.

When are you thinking?

Fora perks.
And someone who knows the hotel.