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The Grand Hotel Victoria is an uber-luxurious five-star hotel resort right on Lake Como in northern Italy.
Two nights—and the hotel was special. Really special.
The swimming pool wasn't the biggest I've ever been to, but it was beautiful, with hydrotherapy water jets and views of the mountains.
The breakfast wasn't the biggest spread I've had by any distance, but it might be one of the best hotel breakfasts I've had. Everything was exactly what it should be—fresh, precise, beautifully done.
The indoor pool and spa at the Grand Hotel Victoria were simply spectacular! When the check-in agent described it as 1,200 m² of pure relaxation, I thought she was exaggerating, but boy, she was not! It was all that and more.
I booked the hotel through Hilton. As a Hilton Gold member, I got extra benefits including room upgrade and free breakfast.
The best compliment? After two days, my whole family asked if we could come back. That never happens—even at hotels we absolutely love.
I've seen plenty of stunning beach resorts, but Lake Como hit different. There's something about the way the water sits between the mountains that just stops you. The Grand Hotel Victoria, perched right on the water's edge in Menaggio, puts you straight into that view—cross the road and you're on the shore within seconds.
The resort matches its surroundings perfectly. The resort is modern and luxurious. On the day I checked rates, a lakeview room cost €1,923. Yes, that's steep. I know!
What really stood out was the Grand Hotel Victoria's 1,200 m² Concept & Spa hidden in the basement. The heated indoor pool is beautiful, but then there's a freezing cold steam room unlike anything I'd ever encountered. Add in the saunas, the salt room, the hydrotherapy pool—it's sanctuary. The kind of space that kept us coming back every day.
I booked through Hilton Gold, which got me the breakfast and upgrade. You can find that offer on my Recommended Resources page, along with Priority Pass, car rentals, and all the tools I actually use.
I booked two rooms for two nights through my Hilton membership. The Grand Hotel Victoria is part of Small Luxury Hotels' collection
Small luxury hotels have a partnership with Hilton. As a Hilton Gold member, if I book through Hilton, I get additional benefits such as free breakfast and upgrades and extra points.
A lakeview room at the Grand Hotel Victoria costs €1,923 per night. I booked two nights.
That's €3,846 for the stay. Yes, it's steep. But you're waking up to Lake Como—not some postcard version of it, the real thing, right at your feet.
The Grand Hotel Victoria is located in the town of Menaggio, at the front of Lake Como.
This was my first time visiting Lake Como and the wider region, so I spent time exploring the towns dotted along the water. Beyond Menaggio itself, there's plenty drawing you out—the lake and mountains do most of the work. The Grand Hotel Victoria runs a beach club about five minutes' walk from the front. Sounds inviting until you're in 34-degree heat carrying luggage—then the hotel's pools suddenly look like the smarter option. Also: pebbles instead of sand, so water shoes help. Either way, you're here for the landscape, not the town's attractions. The lake, the views, the mountains across the water. That's the real location advantage.
The Grand Hotel Victoria sits in Menaggio, a town on Lake Como in northern Italy, and it's a five-star member of Small Luxury Hotels. The resort is just 5 to 10 metres from the water's edge—you cross the road and you're on the shore.
The heart of the property is a 1,200 m² spa in the basement. There's a 20 m² heated pool with Finnish and infrared saunas. Then a steam room, emotional showers, tropical mists, a salt room, and hydrotherapy pool. The outdoor facilities include a medium-sized pool at the back, a sushi restaurant, a 24-hour fitness centre with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool, and a beach club about five minutes' walk from the front. Most rooms don't have balconies—just windows—and they come equipped with an Illy coffee machine.
Hire a Car in Menaggio
Hiring a car in Menaggio opens up Lake Como and the surrounding region. Collect from Malpensa airport or the town centre. Compare prices ahead—rates vary by season and advance booking.
I use Local Rent to compare prices. They aggregate local rental companies alongside the big international names. Better value than booking direct.
Pros: freedom to explore the Alpine villages and Swiss foothills, access to the lake's quieter shores. Cons: mountain roads are winding and narrow village streets can be tight. Book a smaller car and leave early.
Menaggio's waterfront is where the magic happens. Forget the shops and restaurants—just walk the promenade and soak in Lake Como. The mountains rise straight out of the water, and on a clear day, you'll understand why people come back for years. It costs nothing—just time.
Small-Group Lake Como Experience with Boat and Van
Book your tickets here for $100. Rated 4.97* from 234 reviews. This is smaller than most lake tours—eight to twelve people instead of a coachful. You get both boat and van, so you're seeing Lake Como from the water and the surrounding villages. Premium price, but the ratings say it's worth it.
Guided E-Bike Tour on Lake Como
Book your place here for $88. Rated 4.89* from 100 reviews. E-bikes handle the hills, so you can see the lake at your own pace without destroying your legs. You're moving faster than a walk but without the full-day commitment of a coach tour.
Lake Como Boat Tour with Prosecco
Buy your ticket here for $59. Rated 4.86* from 173 reviews. Just an hour on the water means you're not losing half your day to tourism. Unlimited prosecco (or beer, or sparkling water) is included. Short, sweet, and you get Lake Como from the only angle that truly matters.
Menaggio, where the Grand Hotel Victoria is located, is a charming little lakeside town on Lake Como. It's small enough to explore on foot, with cafes and restaurants scattered along the waterfront, all within easy reach of the hotel.
The front of the Grand Hotel Victoria is right on Lake Como. You cross the road, and then you're on the shore of Lake Como. It's about 5 to 10 metres from the water's edge.
I was amazed at how beautiful Lake Como is. I've been to a lot of stunning beach resorts, but the view of the lake was something different and something special.
The Grand Hotel Victoria has a prime location on Lake Como. Not only that, it has tonnes of activities to keep you occupied while you are here!
The front of the Grand Hotel Victoria has a lawn where you can sit outside and chill in front of the lake.
At the back of the resort, you have the outdoor pool.
In the basement of the Grand Hotel Victoria, you have the 1,200 m² Concept & Spa.
In terms of decorations, the resort is modern and luxurious.
The resort advertises a beach club, five minutes' walk from the front of the hotel, run by the Grand Hotel Victoria.
It sounds great, but it was so hot that I couldn't fathom walking those five minutes while carrying all of our stuff. Lake Como's beach is pebbles, not sand.
If you love the idea of an outdoor pool as a major resort feature, the Conrad Orlando takes the concept to another level with an 8-acre lagoon and artificial beach.
I really enjoyed the breakfast at the Grand Hotel Victoria. It wasn't the biggest spread I have ever seen but everything was fantastic quality.
The fruit was absolutely fantastic. I had fresh papaya, cherries, blackberries, passion fruit, and watermelon. To be honest the fruit was so good that I didn't eat too much more on top of that.
I had some hash brown potatoes and cooked tomato. I also had some fresh artisan bread.
I had a filter coffee along with my breakfast.
At the buffet the following items were offered:
You have everything you would expect at a normal breakfast buffet. But everything was exceptional quality. The pastries looked frankly magnificent.
On a personal level, I try to avoid unhealthy foods. I'm also vegetarian. So I wasn't able to enjoy the more indulgent items!
I stayed in rooms 162 and 163, overlooking the pool. The hotel had upgraded us from a base room to an executive suite.
The rooms were lovely. They weren't too big, but they had a beautiful and modern design.
A large double bed and TV looked out over the pool and garden. A desk and wardrobes completed the space.
There was also a welcome gift waiting for me: a bottle of Prosecco, some crackers, and a plate of fruit.
The room didn't have a balcony. In fact, most of the rooms at the resort don't have balconies. There was just a window overlooking the pool and the garden.
It was a lovely view, but obviously not the best view of the resort. The best view of the resort is at the front of the hotel, overlooking Lake Como.
On the day that I stayed, the cheapest lakeview room cost €1,923.
The room had a coffee machine. I didn't see a tea selection.
At the back of the Grand Hotel Victoria was a medium-sized rectangular pool. It was a really lovely pool to get into, better than it sounds!
With hydrotherapy water jets and bubbles. There were large outdoor day beds to lounge on. I ended up spending a couple of hours with my kids each day that I stayed at the hotel.
It was 34° outside, and even though the pool wasn't heated, it was shockingly good.
The resort has a spa and indoor swimming pool at the basement level. It's 1,200 m²—the best spa I've stayed at.
It includes a 20 m² indoor heated pool, Finnish and infrared saunas, steam room, chromotherapy showers, and a Himalayan salt room.
They had a freezing cold steam room unlike anything I'd encountered.
I can't overstate just how much fun we had in the spa.
The Grand Hotel Victoria has a 24-hour fitness centre with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the outdoor pool on the ground floor.
I normally go to the gym when I'm on holiday, but I didn't get a chance to do so on this day. I was feeling a little ill, and I decided to prioritise time with my children, instead of working out.
It looked good, though. There's a decent variety of dumbbells, resistance machines, and cardio machines. I barely saw anyone using the gym, which is very unusual.
This trip was my first time visiting Lake Como and the surrounding area. And I can't wait to come back to visit the Grand Hotel Victoria again!
The Grand Hotel Victoria isn't for everyone. If you value location and spa over sprawl—and you're comfortable with €1,923 for a lake-view room—it's genuinely exceptional.
I woke up to Lake Como every morning, spent hours in the 1,200 m² spa sanctuary, and ate one of the best hotel breakfasts of my life. My family asked to come back immediately, which never happens. Book the Grand Hotel Victoria if you want intimate Lake Como luxury with a spa that genuinely delivers.; it's not the place if you need sprawling amenities.
For another luxury hotel where location is the main draw, the Intercontinental Amsterdam delivers the same philosophy—just with Dutch waterways instead of Italian mountains.