The 5 finest swimming pools on the Italian Lakes

The appeal of the Italian Lakes is understandably enduring; this region of northern Italy is known for its neoclassical lakeside villas, groomed gardens, medieval marinas, for being frequented by Hollywood stars and for combining Alpine scenery with Mediterranean weather.

One of the best ways to experience the area’s tranquility as well as its sophisticated ambience is to head to one of the grand hotel swimming pools that line the waterfronts of Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Iseo and Lake Maggiore. Here are five of the best.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Though the Grand Hotel Tremezzo happens to have three Instagram-worthy swimming pools, it’s the one that floats on the edge of Lake Como that steals the show. It’s suspended within the water on pontoons aside the hotel’s private beach area where you’ll find sand speckled with sun loungers and a wooden terrace with olive trees, and white parasols providing shade. Take a seat by the curved T Bar and order a cocktail and a dish from the fresh terrace restaurant menu; the food here is unfussy, Mediterranean fare featuring lots of fresh fish, grilled meats and generally simple, summery recipes often accompanied with nothing but fresh, torn basil. Stay until the sun sets to watch the moon rise over the lake and the town of Bellagio across the water on the eastern shore.

Filario Hotel & Residences

The impossibly grand Filario Hotel & Residences is a vision of Japanese-style design with a restrained interior colour palette, raw materials and suites with private, concrete plunge pools bordered by bamboo. The pièce de résistance is the infinity pool, offering hard-to-beat views with its sparkling surface blending into the blue of Lake Como. Guests also have access to a small, private beach, where minimalist wooden cabanas with white, linen curtains are laid out on the pebbly sand.

Lefay Resort & Spa Lago Di Garda

The Lefay Resort & Spa is revered for its 32,000-square-foot of pampering treatment space, including a hammam, a salt lake, outdoor massage gazebos and an infinity outdoor swimming pool with exceptional views. Built above the little town of Gargnano on the western shore of Lake Garda, the pool provides a vantage point for the expansive lake and the mountains that border it, their slopes decorated with forest, and terraces of olive and lemon groves. And best of all, the resort uses electricity from renewable sources, it uses seasonal, local produce for its restaurant and was constructed using biocompatible materials.

Il Sereno Lago di Como

Il Sereno Lago di Como is a masterpiece of a hotel designed by notable Spanish architect, Patricia Urquiola, and built on the southeastern shore of Lake Como. Entering the lobby and casting eyes upon the floating, walnut staircase makes a powerful first impression. And throughout the rest of the hotel, you’ll find stone, wood and copper details paired with mid-century and bespoke contemporary furniture. But thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the hotel with natural light, it’s not long before your attention will be drawn to the hotel’s exterior, including its vertical garden designed by French botanist Patrick Blanc. But the biggest joy of all is discovering the outstanding infinity pool, with lime-green sun loungers arranged meticulously around it – perfect for an evening aperitivo while looking out across the waters of Como.

Hotel Maximilian

Set right on the edge of Lake Garda, Hotel Maximilian guarantees guests an infinitely relaxing escape. The curved infinity pool offers a panorama of the blue-green lake, backed by mountains with forest-covered slopes and snow-capped peaks. The immaculate garden is filled with palm, cypress and olive trees, fragrant flowers and a hot tub for evening soaks – it’s perhaps even more beautiful at night, when the garden and pool are romantically spotlit beneath the violet sky.