Fodor's Expert Review Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni

The 19th-century luxury at this grand lake hotel—originally designed to cradle nobility and still a refined haven for the discreetly wealthy—has not so much faded as mellowed: guest rooms remain immaculate and plush; public areas are still awash with gilt ornamentation and marble; and breakfast is served in a ballroom. The staff are unobtrusive and very knowledgeable about lake transportation and sightseeing. One of the restaurants, Mistral, features inventive molecular gastronomy dishes along with a more traditional menu.