Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como

From the floating swimming pool on the lake to the picturesque terrace overlooking Lake Como, every moment of a stay at the Mandarin Oriental is steeped in luxury and considered hospitality. Set just outside Blevio, this lavish retreat boasts 19th-century buildings, a backstory as glamorous as its current incarnation, and a tantalising selection of wellness amenities to round out the tranquillity and restorative ambience of its setting.

The 75 spacious rooms, suites and villas blend contemporary Italian elegance with exotic touches, and many feature private balconies or terraces overlooking the lake. Light and airy, thanks to the large windows and pared-back colour palette, they offer a haven of calm, with marble bathrooms, Bose bluetooth speakers and Diptyque bathroom toiletries adding to the indulgence.

The three dining options all offer stunning lake views alongside innovative Italian-Asian fusion cuisine, lighter lunches and Asian-inspired dishes with an international twist. The spa continues this enticing balance of Asian and international techniques to deliver wellbeing in the atmospheric surrounds of the grotto with a whirlpool, ice pool, and Finnish steam and sauna. If you can drag yourself from the pool and spa, two private boats can whisk you away to nearby Como and Cernobbio, while hiking trips, mixology classes and watersports open up the surrounding area.