Menaggio's Grand Hotel Victoria Is Lake Como's Ultimate Treat

A luxury spa hotel in the Italian Lake District

Menaggio is located on the western shore of Lake Como. It sits directly across the water from the equally photogenic Varenna where you’ll find the sister hotels of Hotel Villa Cipressi and Hotel Royal Victoria by R Collection. Together with Bellagio, the busiest lake town, the three vacation hubs form the “Golden Triangle” of Lake Como.

You’re looking at an hour’s drive from the city of Como – hotel parking is available if required. Ferries from Como take as little as 30 minutes to just over one hour. Bellagio and Verenna are each 15 minutes by water taxi although this luxury hotel can hook you up with a private boat rental or charter. Of the trio, Menaggio is the town you’ll want to choose as a base for a quieter experience on the lake and an excellent array of water sports.

Once you’ve dropped your bags and slapped on the sunscreen, you can spy on the other two towns from the hotel gardens while clinking an Aperol Spritz.

Rooms and suites at the Grand Hotel Victoria

As with the sister hotels in Varenna, rooms and suites at the Grand Hotel Victoria follow a contemporary style. Laminated flooring, huge windows, and swanky bathrooms with walk-in showers and double vanities are the recurring theme. Deluxe and prestige rooms at the Grand Hotel Victoria give you a choice of a courtyard or mountain park view while executive rooms have the bonus of a private balcony.

If it’s a lake view from bed that you’re hankering for, you’ll need to check into a loft or junior suite. There’s not much difference between the sizes with the largest units giving you 45 square meters and the option of a king-size bed or twin beds. Regular suites start at 55 square meters with most opening out onto a private balcony. Families and groups may request a Como, Bellagio, or Queen Victoria suite. These connect a junior suite and two prestige rooms to create a one-bedroom apartment with up to three private bathrooms.

To Erre Spa is human

The Ancient Romans pioneered thermal bathing culture and this five-star spa hotel in Lake Como picks up where they left off. Erre Spa claims a whopping 1,200 square meters of the property with a 20-meter-long indoor pool, a steam bath, and two saunas just a warm-up act for the more mind-boggling features.

Start by ducking into the Himalayan Salt Room for a dose of halotherapy. Supposedly, it’s a surefire way to chase away a lingering cold or seasonal allergies. Stray into the Lake Silent Room for a meditative experience where the walls are coated in moss hauled out of the depths of Lake Como. Follow up a bracing session in the Ice Room with the Fire Room where you can defrost by the open fireplace.

This subterranean spa is the largest in the Lake Como area and access to the complex is on the house for hotel guests. Of course, if you fancy a massage or seaweed wrap after a morning’s windsurfing, you’ll have to dip into your vacation pot.

Dining and wine tastings at Grand Hotel Victoria

With 20 wine regions stretching from Lombardy to Sicily, getting your paws on an exceptional glass of wine anywhere in Italy takes no effort. The Grand Hotel Victoria went one step further by installing a winery on the premises where you can sample sparkling wine from Franciacorta, velvety Valtellina reds, and Lake Garda’s summery rosé wine. Wine tastings can be arranged on-site or be taken offshore with a bespoke sailing package.

A lavish buffet breakfast is included in the nightly rate. You’ll find an assortment of buttery croissants, artisanal pastries, seasonal fruits, cereals, and cold cuts ready to pair with a morning cappuccino. The restaurant also serves Lombardy-inspired cuisine in its elegant dining room facing the lake. If you’d rather explore the trattorie and osterie of Menaggio, the Grand Hotel Victoria is less than 100 yards from the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi.

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