The lakes of Northern Italy are a go-to vacation spot for the world's elite, and it's not surprising—the area is filled with luxurious hotels with equally beautiful views. From the iconic Lake Como to the underrated Lake Orta, these bodies of water are lined with villas, charming lakeside villages, mountainous landscapes, botanical gardens, and wineries. If you’re looking to plan a trip to this popular Italian getaway spot, you might want to consider these nine beautiful lake hotels in northern Italy.

Il Sereno di Lago Como, Lake Como

Not all hotels along the shores of Lake Como exude a lengthy Italian history—this modern property opened in 2016. The owners of the property, which is a sister to the Le Sereno hotel on St. Barts, commissioned Milan-based designer Patricia Urquiola to craft its interiors. She worked with local artisans to create an airy space filled with natural materials (see the walnut-wood staircase in the lobby), and she also designed two motorboats for the property, which can be rented by guests. serenohotels.com

Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli, Lake Garda

Built in 1892 as an ornate summer home for the wealthy lumber family, Villa Feltrinelli displays a Neo-Gothic style by architect Alberico Barbiano di Belgiojoso. But the family would be ousted from their grand estate by the Nazis in 1943: It would infamously become the “home” of Benito Mussolini and his family while he ran the short-lived Italian Social Republic. Today, the property has been refreshed into a luxurious hotel of just a handful of guest rooms—one of its most attractive amenities is its two-Michelin-star restaurant by Chef Stefano Baiocco. villafeltrinelli.com

Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como

Undoubtedly one of the most famous hotels on Lake Como, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo has been in operation for more than 100 years. Opened in 1910, the lavishly appointed hotel was built to cater to the traveling aristocrats of Europe and Russia, and today it still welcomes an elite clientele. Thanks to the area’s Riviera-like climate, the property’s vast gardens house a number of colorful blooms, and an on-site 18th-century villa has been converted into the hotel’s Espa spa. grandhoteltremezzo.com

Villa Làrio Mandello, Lake Como

Comprising only five suites, the Villa Làrio Mandello is an early-20th-century property in a 100,000-square-foot private park on the shores of Lake Como. While many Lake Como hotels have private boats for guests to rent, this hotel one-ups that with not only a private boat, but also the option to book private helicopter tours that depart from the property’s own helipad. Additionally, the property has two beaches, a pool, and natural caves and grottoes where you can have a romantic dinner overlooking the water. villalarioresortmandello.com

Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, Lake Garda

One of the largest hotels on Lake Garda, this 93-room, 27-acre property is also one of the most eco-friendly in the region: It has a biomass plant, solar panels, and a rainwater collection system to reduce its environmental impact. Beyond the sustainable initiatives, the luxurious hotel excites with its extensive spa program, which blends Eastern and Western services. The 41,000-square-foot space houses treatment rooms, pools, saunas, and even a saltwater lake. lagodigarda.lefayresorts.com

Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, Lake Maggiore

If you’re looking for a full-service resort for your stay at Lake Maggiore, this is the place to be. This Italian Art Nouveau hotel opened its doors in 1863 and was immortalized half a century later, when Ernest Hemingway checked in during his short leave from his World War I military service—a stay that inspired A Farewell to Arms. Today, it offers guests a range of activities and amenities, from an on-site tennis court to a Japanese garden, a spa, and proximity to area golf courses. borromees.com

Grand Hotel Fasano, Lake Garda

Like many of the châteaux in France, the Grand Hotel Fasano was originally built as a hunting lodge, not for French nobility, but for the Austrian imperial family. It was converted into a hotel in 1888, and it offered impressive technology, like heat and hot water in the guest rooms. While the hotel suffered damage during World War II, it has been expertly restored, with many original neoclassical elements remaining. ghf.it

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, Lake Como

Built as a holiday villa for a Milanese noble family in the mid-19th century, the Villa Serbelloni became a hotel in 1873, serving traveling nobility. It was outfitted with architectural elements, artwork, and other furnishings in range of global styles: neoclassical and Art Nouveau detailing, frescoes of ancient mythology, Murano chandeliers, and Persian carpets all meet within the hotels wall. Over its long history, the hotel has hosted such guests as Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Clark Gable, and a slew of other notable names, including European royalty. villaserbelloni.com

Villa Crespi, Lake Orta

On the shores of the under-the-radar Lake Orta is Villa Crespi, an 1879 villa designed in the Moorish-eclectic style. Its original owner, Cristoforo Benigno Crespi, sought to bring to Italy a taste of Baghdad—he hired popular architect Angelo Colla to design this elaborately decorated house, notably topped by a minaret. It sits on a hill just a short walk from the lake and has its own two-Michelin-star restaurant, but if you’re looking to explore the region, you can rent the hotel’s Maserati GT. villacrespi.it