Head-to-head · Lake Como
Two big mid-lake hotels I stayed at in October 2026, and opposite ends of the style spectrum. The EDITION is new, modern and social. Villa Serbelloni is very historic, with the lake’s best swimming, in the middle of Bellagio. Here is how I would choose.
Stayed at both · October 2026
A 148-room EDITION in Cadenabbia with an excellent spa, one of the best hotel gyms I’ve seen and a two-bedroom suite that’s good value for families. Book a lake view on the third floor or above.
My Lake Como EDITION review →
Very historic and beautifully maintained, with a stunning modern spa, a little speakeasy bar I loved, and a pool, beach and floating pier for the best swimming on the lake. It’s in Bellagio, which is the catch.
My Villa Serbelloni review →
| Lake Como EDITION | Villa Serbelloni | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Cadenabbia, mid-lake on the west shore, next to Grand Hotel Tremezzo | Bellagio, where the lake’s branches meet |
| My visit | Stayed | Stayed |
| Size | 148 rooms | More than 90 rooms |
| The look | White, neutrals, green marble and arches | Frescoes, chandeliers, damask and antiques |
| Condition | Brand new, with some early wear in my room | Beautifully maintained, but a bit too old for my taste |
| The feel | Lively and social; see and be seen | Formal service that’s still warm |
| Room to book | A lake view on the third floor or above | A lake-view room with a balcony |
| Spa & gym | An excellent spa and one of the best hotel gyms I’ve seen | A stunning modern spa |
| Swimming | One floating pool; a second is planned | A pool, a beach and a floating pier; the best on the lake |
| Dining | Three or four expensive outlets; Grand Hotel Tremezzo next door | Three places to eat and a speakeasy bar, plus Bellagio at the door |
| Outside the door | Not much within walking distance | Bellagio, which is incredibly crowded |
| Getting there | Car to Como, then a private boat | Car to Como, then about 30 minutes by private boat |
| Best for | Younger travelers, LGBTQ+ travelers, families in the two-bedroom suite | Lovers of historic hotels and art, swimmers, travelers set on Bellagio |
Work with me and you get Fora perks, typically a space-available upgrade, daily breakfast and a hotel credit, plus someone who knows these hotels personally: I secure a lake-view room above the third floor at the EDITION or a lake-view balcony room at Serbelloni, and book the car from Milan and the boat from Como. Same rate as booking direct.
The EDITION is a neat, modern hotel that isn’t for everyone, but is right for a lot of travelers. It’s lively and social, closer in mood to West Hollywood or Mykonos than to a classic Como villa, and the spa and gym are outstanding. Dining on property is limited, there’s no town at the door, and I noticed some early wear in my room.
Villa Serbelloni is an interesting hotel, and I’m still making up my mind about it. It’s very historic and beautifully kept, the spa is stunning, and in summer it would be the best hotel on the lake for swimming. The decor is a bit too old for my taste, and Bellagio is incredibly crowded.
In my ranking the EDITION sits one place above Villa Serbelloni, and the gap is small. Honestly, the choice comes down to style. If you want modern, a social scene and a serious gym, choose the EDITION. If you love old Italian hotels and art, and Bellagio is the point of your trip, choose Serbelloni.
The EDITION has little within walking distance beyond Grand Hotel Tremezzo next door, which is handy for meals. Bellagio is a short boat ride away. The hotel has no boats of its own, so I book them for my clients.
Villa Serbelloni puts all of Bellagio’s restaurants outside the front door. The catch is that Bellagio is packed with day-trippers. It was crowded when I stayed in October; July and August would be a nightmare.
At the EDITION, book a lake-view room on the third floor or above. Lower floors sit above the loud casual restaurant, and non-lake-view rooms face the spa across the street or an interior courtyard. A non-lake-view booking won’t be upgraded to a lake view without a paid supplement. In one suite I noticed a loose floorboard, chipped paint and a loose door handle; small things, but surprising this early.
Villa Serbelloni’s rooms are very traditional: frescoed ceilings, chandeliers, damask walls and antiques, all beautifully kept. If you love that, you’ll love it here. Ask for a lake-view room with a balcony.
Both have a spa worth booking for. The EDITION’s has three saunas, a steam room and an indoor heated pool, and its gym, with free weights up to 40 kilos and a squat rack, is one of the best I’ve seen in a hotel. Its one outdoor pool floats on the lake, which I’m not a fan of; a second is planned for next season.
Villa Serbelloni’s spa is stunning and surprisingly modern for a hotel this historic. For getting in the water, it has the best setup I’ve seen on Como: a pool, a beach and a floating pier you can jump into the lake from.
At the EDITION, lunch by the pool started slowly, then became consistently solid. The three or four outlets are all on the expensive side. Allow time at checkout: I asked for my luggage and car at 6:40 a.m. and left at 7:10.
Villa Serbelloni’s service is formal and polished, but warm, and I never felt unwelcome. For both hotels, the road from Como is slow, so I arrange a private car from Milan to the water in Como, then a private boat to the hotel’s dock.
They’re #05 and #06 in my Lake Como ranking, and it comes down to style. The EDITION is for modern, lively and wellness-focused trips. Villa Serbelloni is for lovers of historic hotels and art who want to swim in the lake and be in Bellagio.
Both are excellent. The EDITION wins on the gym, which is one of the best I’ve seen in a hotel. Villa Serbelloni’s spa is stunning and modern, a real reason to book.
Villa Serbelloni: a pool, a beach and a floating pier into the lake. The EDITION has one floating pool for now.
I’d steer most clients away from sleeping there. Bellagio is very crowded, even in October, and you can visit by boat from almost anywhere on the lake, including the EDITION. If Bellagio is the point, Villa Serbelloni puts you right in it.
The EDITION, for its two-bedroom suite: around $5,500 a night, and good value for a family sharing one suite. For the best family hotel on the lake, I’d look at Grand Hotel Tremezzo.
If you’re weighing the EDITION, look at Grand Hotel Tremezzo next door: lake-view rooms cost about the same. If you’re weighing Villa Serbelloni, I usually steer clients to Villa d’Este.
Tell me your dates and who is coming, and I will tell you which one fits and which room to ask for.
Lake Como EDITION review → Villa Serbelloni review → Grand Hotel Tremezzo or the EDITION → Villa d’Este or Villa Serbelloni → My Lake Como guide →