Villa d'Este

Perched on the shores of Lake Como, Villa d'Este is a quintessential Italian resort housed in a former 16th-century estate. The expansive grounds include acres of landscaped gardens awash with topiaries and statues. Inside, the opulent hotel – decorated in antique furniture and original artwork – features three restaurants and three bars, a sauna and Turkish bath, a beauty center, pools and a golf simulator. Fitness-focused amenities like a gym, squash and tennis courts, a jogging trail and water sports equipment are also available. The 152 guest rooms and suites are spread across two buildings – the Cardinal Building and Queen's Pavilion – and are all individually decorated with traditional furnishings and luxe fabrics like silk and velvet. Classic rooms include large windows, chandeliers, marble bathrooms, minibars, flat-screen TVs and either walk-in closets or large armoires. Guests found the rooms to be gorgeous, and also raved about the welcoming and friendly staff, stating that everyone went out of their way to make them feel at home.