An insider's guide to the top hotels on the Italian Lakes, including Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, Lake Iseo and Lake Orta.

Lake Como
 
Hemmed in by mountains, stylish Lake Como attracts its share of celebrities and tourists although its lakefront villages still manage to retain a traditional feel. Its shores are lined with grand Neo-classical villas backed by impressive gardens, a number of which are open to the public. Bellagio, a wonderfully picturesque town fringed by cypresses, is one of the major draws, as is pretty Varenna, with its narrow winding streets nestled on a rock face. With smart hotels aplenty, Lake Como is the place to see and be seen.