Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Lombardy are as varied as the region, ranging from cosily traditional ski chalets, to grand lakeside hotels, and hip design offerings. The Guru consensus seems to be that the best hotels in Lombardy are the ones that best suit your surrounds. So for example, when you're in the centre for design, Milan, opt for a chic design-led property. Great advice, unless you’re not yet familiar with a destinatio! In which case here's our quick run down of Lombardy:

Lombardy spreads south from Switzerland, the Swiss alps and the Dolomites, to the flat, agricultural plains of the Po Valley. The landscape includes the magical Italian Lakes of Como, Garda, Maggiore and Iseo; the high altitude ski resorts of Bormio and Livigno; the centre of F1 racing, Monza; architecturally beautiful, and foodie-friendly Bergamo; historic Brescia and Cremona; Mantua, one of the key cities of the Italian Renaissance; and Pavia, founded by the Romans and occupying an important strategic position slap bang in the middle of the wide, agricultural plains.

Lombardy is a great region for foodies; because it's so close to Switzerland there’s a wonderful crossing of cultures and traditional food, and the cuisine of Lombardy is quite unique within Italy. It's also perfect for skiers, because its high altitude resorts are snow-sure and offer a wide range of snowy fun for all abilities. The alps are equally appealing to walkers, but we also think walkers and hikers will find some of the best places to stay in Lombardy around Monte Baldo and Lake Garda. The wine regions of Bardolino, Valpolicella, and Laguna will suit wine lovers and foodies alike, and we recommend Lakes Como and Garda as being top destinations for a fun family holiday. But all these recommendations are just the tip of the Lombardy’s iceberg, and there are a thousand smaller, more detailed recommendations for incredible Lombardy. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

The Best Places to Stay in Lombardy

For Milanese Chic

• When it opened, Straf was declared Italy's most avant-garde hotel, and it’s still considered something of a design stunner. Behind the classical 1880s façade is an ultra contemporary minimalist space, with a very industrial feel — think polished concrete, burnished brass, glass, iron and black stone. Come here to rub shoulders with a cool crowd of fashionistas, media-types and designers et al!
• Famously, and gorgeously, converted from a perfume factory in the heart of Milan’s design district, Magna Pars Suites are a collection of 39 stylish suites of various shapes and sizes. There’s a lot of white-on-white here, with white art too, and just a few primary-coloured pieces of furniture. You’re minutes from the Via Torona, so it’s a popular spot for models and fashion industry types — and you can tell, the rooms features shelves of fashion books, professional hair dryers, and impressive toiletries! Plus remote controlled blinds and lights, and fancy coffee machines. There’s also an excellent restaurant, by a Michelin-starred chef.
• The Sonder Missoni Hotel is a stylish pick in central Milan, on the exclusive Corso Italia. Its 41 rooms and suites are dressed in a charmingly balanced teal, black and grey colour scheme, with contemporary art on the walls, contemporary design furniture and a signature scent by Laura Tonatto. We love it for its secret garden, positioned close to the breakfast room. No restaurant, but surrounded by great places to eat and drink.

For the Beauty of the Lakes

• The Villa Cortine Palace typifies Lake Garda perfectly. Sitting right on the tip of the Sirmione peninsula, this grand old villa hotel is rich with frescoes, antiques and lovely 1930s style rooms. It's also surrounded by its own gardens dotted with fountains and neoclassical statues, so it's very romantic.
• The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, in Tremezzo, has one of the best views on Lake Como; across the water from here you can see Bellagio in the foreground, and Varenna behind and to the left. If you turn around you’ll be pretty impressed too, for the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is pretty grand: tall and impressive, with rows of Juliet balconies and great walls of windows marking out the restaurants and bars. All in it has 89 rooms and suites, decorated with five-stars worth of luxury. Plus generous sun terraces, an excellent restaurant and spa, lush gardens, and a pool that floats on the lake.
• The Villa Lario is an elegant villa turned all-suite hotel overlooking the shore of Lake Como. Just five suites make up the property, two corner suites have their own wrap-around balconies, and are our favourites. The decor is part of the charm — simple and elegant, with lots of light from large windows, and a show of some of the villa’s original features. The restaurant serves modern Italian cuisine, and there’s a small private jetty.

For Skiers

• The Hotel Sonne is a charmingly traditional chalet on the outside, yet a stylishly contemporary version of itself inside. Its 16 rooms and suites benefit from a traditional chalet’s use of natural wood and stone, and a preference for cosy rugs to snuggle into, but the overall effect is more rustic minimalism than gingerbread house. We like the large bathrooms, the fantastic spa, and the fact that the whole hotel is heated using geothermal energy, so it’s got a zero carbon rating. It’s also right by Livigno’s ski slopes.

For a Special Occasion

• The Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como is an incredibly grand looking spa hotel right on the waterfront, with elegant, historic buildings rising up behind it on a lush hillside. Converted from a number of opulent villas, there’s plenty of luxury remaining in the 73 rooms and suites, and grand communal areas. In addition you'll find two gourmet restaurants, a subterranean spa hewn into the rocky shoreline, an indoor pool, and an outdoor pool that floats on top of the lake. There’s plenty of scope for families, but also plenty of opportunity for romance.
• Bormio’s Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi is a wonderfully grand hotel, with Art Nouveau charm and a pinky facade. This is one of your old fashioned grand hotels, complete with an opulent ballroom, and glorious surrounds. There are 74 rooms and suites, all of them spacious and elegant, with high ceilings, relatively unfussy furnishings — compared with the public areas — and wonderful views of the surrounding valley. There’s a pool and spa, a gym, a library and bar, and you’re within a short stroll of both the golf club and the ski lifts.

For Families

• Milan’s Chateau Monfort is a five-star, fairytale themed hotel just a short walk from the Piazza San Babila and Milan’s famous designer boutiques. Expect period features, an elegant wine bar and classic Italian cuisine — but with fun decor, like four-poster beds made from giant Nutcrackers, and heart shaped dining chairs. This is the kind of hotel in which to take afternoon tea. And which your kids will remember forever.
• There aren’t many ‘proper’ resorts on Lake Como, but the Parco San Marco Lifestyle Beach Resort definitely qualifies, it’s big, with 80 rooms, suites, apartments and villas, a number of places to eat and drink, and a super fancy pool area, complete with a slide! There’s also a private beach, and lush grounds. This is a super pick for families, with lots to do in the way of classes and activities, but it can still be romantic.

For Luxury Lovers

• Milan’s Palazzo Parigi is large and luxurious as well as being romantic, with the sort of grand public spaces that are both welcoming and memorable: think high ceilings, beautiful marble inlay flooring, ornate cornices and huge windows. There are 98 large, light rooms with spectacular city views, beautiful stone fireplaces, and marble bathrooms. The Palazzo Parigi also has an indoor pool with pillars, an impressive spa and gym, and two elegant restaurants.
• Several of Milan’s fashion houses have their own hotels, and Bulgari is the first one we’re listing. If you’re familiar with their wares you might be surprised by its simplicity, for here the glamour is very much understated, with a feel of 1930s minimalism. Think black and white marble, beautiful wood flooring, and neutral colours in the 58 rooms and suites. As well as being one of our favourite luxury hotels in Milan, Bulgari is also the only hotel within the old city walls to have its own garden. Of course the food is excellent too.
• Armani has a hotel too, the Armani Hotel, which is a similar extension of the brand, but with a real focus on the elegance and modern lines of their designs. It comes across as fairly minimalist in the 95 rooms and suites, but with creative touches, like a discreet crocodile print embossed design in the linens. The spa is gorgeous, and the restaurant is too, with fantastic city views.
• The Locanda San Vigilio, just above Garda and bustling Bardolino, is an elegant and intimate hotel right on the lake. Originally owned by an Italian Count, this grand dwelling has been a hotel for the last 500 years. So it's an extra special, and traditionally luxurious place to relax.

For Foodies

• Il Sole di Ranco is a peaceful hotel in Ranco, right by Lake Maggiore, with wonderful views and a gourmet restaurant. The decor is traditional in the 14 rooms and suites, but it’s unfussy, and the atmosphere is very relaxed. The restaurant is known for its fresh fish, caught in the lake of course, and serves meals outside on a sunny terrace when possible. They also run cooking classes.
• Bergamo’s Relais da Vittorio is a world renowned restaurant with ten elegant rooms. The restaurant has been in the family for generations, and regularly ranks as one of the world’s best. And they offer professional cooking classes. The hotel also has a beautiful pool and pretty gardens and vineyards beyond.

For a Country Escape

• If you enjoy a traditional rustic setting, Oasi di Galbusera Bianca is a delightful farmhouse hotel in the picturesque Lombardy countryside. Rooms mirror the hotel's rustic surroundings, with wooden furnishings and earthy colour schemes. In the evening, the restaurant serves up delicious organic vegetarian food. An ideal place for an authentic rural Italian experience.

For Shopping

• If your idea of the perfect Milanese city break involves quite a bit of shopping, our Hotel Gurus recommend the Palazzo Segreti. Jut steps from the fashion district, Palazzo Segreti is historic on the outside, but totally contemporary on the inside; expect polished concrete walls, whitewashed brick, and contemporary colours, which show up the original features to great effect. It has just 18 rooms and suites, plus chic living spaces. The great design furnishings and style highlights the modern elegance that many of Milan’s fashion brands are known for. There’s no restaurant, but you’re surrounded by dining options, as well as the shopping from the door we promised.

Best Guesthouses and B&Bs

• Prettily located in a converted merchant’s townhouse in central Milan, the Antica Locanda dei Mercanti is a light, airy, 14 room guesthouse. The rooms are all different shapes and sizes, with our favourites, on the top floor, offering access to private terraces and featuring wrought iron four-poster beds. The decor features plenty of cream, with unfussy, country-style furnishings, and wood or terrazzo flooring. Breakfast is served on trays in the rooms.

For a self catering apartment or villa

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Lombardy’s main international airports are in Milan, and its largest train station too. The airports are, in size order, Malpensa Airport, Bergamo Airport and Linate, and are some of the busiest in Italy. Malpensa is the main international hub. It’s also used by flag-carrier and European low-cost carriers. Brescia-Montichiari and Verona-Villafranca are also worth considering if you’re entering Lombardy by air.
• If you plan to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• Lombardy has reasons to recommend it year round. In winter there’s the skiing, in summer the lakes. In February, June and September Milan hosts fashion weeks, and there’s the annual F1 racing at Monza. Easter and Christmas offer a wealth of colourful festivities, and harvest is a great time for foodies. If you’re hoping for beautiful weather conditions our Gurus recommend you skip October and November, because these are, traditionally, the rainiest months.

Still not sure which to book?

• You could refine your search to just the best places to stay in Milan, Lake Como, Garda, Maggiore, or Lake Iseo in the Italian Lakes District
• If you’re here to ski, you could refine your search to the best places to stay in Bormio or Livigno
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.