Fodor's Expert Review Vista Palazzo Lago di Como

A 19th-century lakefront palazzo steps from pedestrian-only Piazza Cavour has been transformed into an elegant in-town hotel, where a sweeping staircase leads to spacious, sophisticated white-and-gray guest rooms that have pops of color, parquet floors, walk-in closets, and sumptuous marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Some rooms also have ultramodern showers and/or balconies; corner junior suites even include two balconies, one at the front and one at the side. Service is unobtrusive but there if you need it, lending the hotel an intimate feel. In the top-floor contemporary-Italian Ristorante Sottovoce, a small outdoor bar area overlooks the lake; if the views tempt you to get out and explore, the ferries that can transport you around the lake are just steps from the door.