Italy has always been a place of grand luxury and charm. Some of the most luxurious getaways in the world can be found on the beautiful Italian lake shores, and here are some of our favorites, as reported by LUXPORTATION:

Hailed as one of Italy’s greatest hotels, this opulent establishment boasts unspoilt views over Lake Como. This Leading hotel of the World is set in 25 acres of exquisite landscaped gardens and comprised of two historic mansions. Once home to the estranged wife of George IV and Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, the regal character of the property remains. Each room is individually decorated with silk-brocade drapes and antique furnishings, featuring grand marble bathrooms. There is also an award-winning beauty centre offering the most luxurious spa treatments. However, it is the first-class service and old world charm of this magnificent hotel that keep guests returning time and time again.

This stylish Art Nouveau property is perfect for those seeking to explore the great outdoors and everything Lake Como has to offer. The famous floating swimming pool, a private beach and lush grounds complete with fitness trail are all waiting to be explored. Inside guests can expect grandiose interiors with enormous arched windows looking out over Riveria delle Azalea to Bellagio. The hotel also includes a Fondue and wine bar – the first of its kind in the area – where cooking takes place at your table.

The glamorous Lido Palace Hotel, located in the picturesque town of Riva Del Garda, offers a discrete sense of luxury on the shores of Lake Garda. The hotel has won many accolades since its opening in 1899, but most notably it has been admitted into the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World. Combining 20th-century award-winning architecture and elegant interior design, this five-star hotel offers stunning views over the lake and surrounding mountains. Guest rooms are designed in a contemporary style with stark white designer furnishings. There are two swimming pools, two restaurants and an incredible state-of-the-art spa.

Once inhabited by Benito Mussolini as his postwar abode, this lakeside palace in Gargnano fell into decline until it was bought by a legendary hotelier and restored to its former glory. The hotel houses over 1000 antiques, 21 all-suite rooms and a Michelin-starred restaurant headed by Stefano Baiocco. The service here is exemplary, with 85 staff catering to a maximum of 42 guests at any one time. This small hotel exudes the feeling of an intimate and luxurious private home, offering a once in a lifetime stay.

As you enter this spectacular retreat through huge wrought iron gates, you are led onto an impressive driveway passing fountains, lily ponds and extensive landscaped gardens. Inside frescoes, columns and gilt add to the overwhelming sense of grandeur at the Palace Hotel Villa Cortine. Antiques and Venetian glass chandeliers adorn the guest rooms located in one of two wings, and balconied rooms provide vistas of the surrounding parkland. This Lake Garda hotel has been a favourite amongst the rich and famous since 1953.

A member of the Relais & Chateaux group, Villa Crespi is a spectacular property dating back to 1879. Steps from Lake Orta, this historical residence comprises of stunning arabesque architecture and incredibly ornate interiors. The palatial guest rooms feature four-poster beds, marble bathrooms and lake views. The hotel’s crowning glory is its two-Michelin starred restaurant run by esteemed chef Antonio Cannavacciuolo. The menu takes you on a culinary journey from southern to northern Italy.

Gastronomes will delight at this superb hotel a few minutes from Lake Iseo. L’Albereta has two wineries to its name as well as three restaurants where guests can expect traditional and rustic locally sourced cuisine. The hotel can be found amongst the sprawling vineyards of Lombardy, an area famous for its sparkling wines. Each of the rooms and suites have been individually designed, the most notable being the Cabriolet Suite featuring a “convertible” roof which at the touch of the button opens to reveal the sky. L’Albereta is also the perfect retreat for the health conscious. The award-winning Espace Chenot Health Wellness SPA offers a substantial menu of innovative medical and aesthetic treatments from a team of highly qualified therapists, doctors and dieticians.

Grand Hôtel des Iles Borromées is undoubtedly the best hotel on the most beautiful of the Italian Lakes. It is no wonder the hotel has hosted distinguished guests including Ernest Hemingway and Lord Byron. The property oozes classic Italian charm with rich decor, sumptuous fabrics and Murano chandeliers. There are a variety of outdoor pursuits for the active, as well as a spa and cooking classes for those who wish to explore the hotel. Located a few minutes from the centre of Stresa,  Grand Hôtel des Iles Borromées never fails to impress with its first-class facilities and breathtaking views of the Borromean Islands.