Review - The Lake Como Edition

The Lake Como Edition

April 2026

Posts in this series:

Review - Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan ‍- Dorchester Collection

Review - Hotel Eden, Rome - Dorchester Collection

Enroute:

To kick off our Italian trip, we spent quite a few nights at the newly opened Lake Como Edition. While the hotel technically opened last year, it was a very brief season, as it only opened in September. It was then re-opened in March for the 2026 season. Speaking of, this might be the first comprehensive review on the internet about the Como Edition?

I discussed how we booked the hotel in the introduction post, so I won’t rehash it here. We took a Blacklane from Malpensa Airport, and the drive took almost two hours. It was the beginning of International Workers’ Day weekend in Italy (and most other countries), so traffic was a bit heavier than usual. If you book Blacklane in advance, it’s roughly the same price as a Uber Black from MXP to Como. We paid €270 for an E class, but of course you can get an S for more.

The Lake Como Edition is located in Cadenabbia, on the western shore of the lake. It sits directly across from Bellagio and is a 10-minute walk from Villa Carlotta.

Based on the exterior of the hotel and its architectural style, you can tell that the Edition isn’t some storied villa conversion. Rather, the building was built with a commercial purpose at inception. We chartered a Riva during our stay, and our captain told us the Edition used to be the Hotel Britannia. That said, the renovation purposefully attempted to blend in with the otherwise neoclassical lakefront, using the same Como-signature ochre stucco. What it lacked in historic charm, the Edition Lake Como made up with tasteful interior and stunning amenities. While I’ll dive into further details later on, I’m quite impressed with the hotel’s renovation. Edition hotels have a tendency to be overly minimalist (drab), but they did a great job with this one.

Our Blacklane dropped us off on the hotel driveway, and the bell team appeared immediately to take over our luggage and to escort us to the reception.

Check-in was friendly. For a 148-key property, there were only two agents working the front desk. We never had to wait too long, but it was still early in the season. Just as an observation - no welcome drink of any kind was offered.

We were then shown to our room by Gorkem, who was from Como and gave us a few restaurant recommendations.

Unpack:

Our deluxe lake view suite with balcony was on the 6th floor, one level down from the penthouses. Let me acknowledge the pictures might not present the finishes in the best light, especially with the light wood. I didn’t notice anything in the room that was decidedly cheap, though.

Upon entry, there was a long foyer leading to the living room. At the end of the foyer, a marble arch perfectly frames the lake view.

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony Foyer

To the left was a pretty hidden half bath. At first I thought it was the connecting door to the room next to us. It wasn’t until the next day when my partner left that door open did I realize there was a half bath inside. Edition do be consistent with its minimalist design, I guess?

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony Guest Bath

To the right was a handful closets, which came in handy as the closet in the bedroom was on the small side.

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony Closet

I know I said the finishes in the room were reasonably high-end, but as I’m writing this review now, I see the edges where the slabs connect on the arch…

I swear the living room was not this bland in real life. It was actually really pretty with the lake view in the background. Another thought comes to my mind - I feel like the Edition is a better brand for a resort than a city hotel. Elements of nature amp up the Edition aesthetic. I love the Edition in Bodrum, Miami Beach, and this one. On the other hand, like many others, I struggle to love the Editions in Singapore, New York or Tokyo.

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony Living Room

Back by the corner of the living room was the bar, with a fully stocked minibar and your standard Nespresso and kettle setup.

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony Minibar

The best feature in this suite was without a doubt the balconies, albeit the bedroom one was a balconette.

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony Living Room Balcony

Honestly, a glass of wine on this balcony could probably cure cancer.

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony Bedroom Balcony

From the balcony you have a gorgeous view of the Alps, as well as the very tip of Bellagio. Across the stress was the hotel’s floating pool. I remember seeing the floating pool at Mandarin Oriental Lake Como when it first opened almost a decade ago. I had never heard of Como before then. Now everyone and their dog walker are summering in Como.

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony View

Next in our suite was a spacious bedroom, while the same could not be said about the closet.

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony Bedroom

I hate hotel throw blankets on a good day, since I’m convinced they’re never washed (I know I’m right so don’t even argue). I detest the ones at Edition hotels. Is there a reason why it looks like a brown bear was skinned? Who’s getting under these blankets? I’m so confused.

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony Walk-in Closet

I will say that the bathroom was undeniably boring, like they could at least have some paintings on the wall?

The Lake Como Edition Deluxe Lake View Suite with Balcony Bathroom

I wish there was a shelf in the shower to place my personal toiletries on. I want to mention that the bed and bath linens were very plush at the Edition, however, the slippers were some of the flimsiest I’ve ever seen. Do Italians not wear slippers? Pretty sure they sell them at Giuseppe Zanotti…

Overall, I was very happy with the room. Would I love some electric shades? Who doesn’t. But that’s minor in the scheme of things. I should point out there are accommodations here that do not face the lake, and obviously that would be a very different experience.

Unwind:

Several hotels in Como have floating beach clubs, given how space-constrained the waterfront is. It’s a unique concept that I don’t think I’ve seen much elsewhere.

Now how fabulous??? Like is it even real??? This is possibly one of the most memorable pool setups, maybe ever? We actually scrapped a whole day’s worth of itinerary and just hung out by the pool and watched the boat traffic go by (and drink champagne, duh).

The Lake Como Edition Outdoor Pool Beverage

The amenities don’t just end here. The gym and spa were hosted in an annex building behind the hotel, accessible via a sky bridge.

For a resort property, the equipment selection at the gym was extensive. There was a trainer on site as well, should you need any help with your workout.

The spa at the Edition was managed by the Longevity Spa, with locations in Milan too.

The Lake Como Edition The Longevity Spa Reception

To the left of reception were the locker rooms.

The Lake Como Edition The Longevity Spa Locker Room

Through the locker room you can enter the spa facility, complete with two saunas, a steam room, various showers, a relaxation area, a magnificent jade-colored vitality pool, a cold plunge and an outdoor terrace.

The Lake Como Edition The Longevity Spa Showers

The Lake Como Edition The Longevity Spa Steam Room

The Lake Como Edition The Longevity Spa Sauna

The Lake Como Edition The Longevity Spa Relaxation Room

We both had a massage here, and the treatment itself was outstanding. I’ve had a string of mediocre massages since late last year, and this one broke that streak. Prices are much more affordable than what you’d pay in the US. You can check out the menu here.

The Lake Como Edition The Longevity Spa Treatment Room

My partner and I enjoy a good spa, so if you’re like us, you are in for a real treat at the Como Edition. You can easily spend an entire afternoon here just doing rounds of sauna/cold plunge and relaxing in/by the pool.

The Lake Como Edition The Longevity Spa Pool

A glimpse of the lake doesn’t hurt either.

The Lake Como Edition The Longevity Spa Cold Plunge

It truly is an attractive pool. When the sun is out, you can also hang out on the terrace outside.

The Lake Como Edition The Longevity Spa Terrace

Refuel:

We missed dinner one evening, so we ordered room service from the limited late night menu. You can find the options here. I’d say it was standard room service quality.

The Lake Como Edition Room Service Late Night Food

Edition is known for having sexy lobby bars, and this one was no exception. We didn’t end up spending time here, but it’s certainly inviting.

There were some nooks along the windows that served as overflow seating for breakfast.

I mean, how chic is this bar? Do you think the Italians would buy dupe B&B Italia sofa or is that not socially acceptable, lol?

Cetino is the hotel’s signature restaurant, open only for dinner. This is in collaboration with Mauro Colagreco, the Argentine chef whose restaurant Mirazur in Menton carries three Michelin stars. Cetino itself doesn’t have any stars, nor does any of the restaurants in Como.

We had drinks at the Cetino bar one night and returned for dinner on another. The bar was trendy and intimate. The speciality cocktails were okay, in my opinion. I did love their version of the negroni, though, which was herbaceous and gave it that alpine vibe.

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Bar

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Bar Beverages

The restaurant had maybe a dozen table, and we sat by the windows.

We started the evening with some aperitivi. My partner had the negroni, while I had a vermouth cocktail.

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Dinner Beverages

I’m sure I’ve professed my love for leeks on this blog before, so you know I ordered it when I saw it on the menu.

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Dinner Antipasti

We shared another shellfish gratin with garlic cream and herb breadcrumbs as appetizer.

For our pasta course, we had the lemon butter tagliolini with caviar and chive. Have you ever had a bad caviar pasta? Not me.

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Dinner Primi

For main course, we split the confit pancetta with swiss chard.

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Dinner Secondi

Lastly, a violet vanilla ice cream with robiola cheese to round out the night.

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Dinner Dolce

I would file this restaurant under the “try-hard” category. Not that it wasn’t good, it just wasn’t what you necessarily associate Como with. It’s funny, because we had dinner the night before at Ristorante La Terrazza at Grand Hotel Tremezzo. I came away thinking the food did not match its majestic setting. While the food at Cetino was more refined, the ambiance was not quintessentially Como.

Renzo is the hotel’s all-day restaurant and is where breakfast was served.

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Renzo

It’s every bit idyllic during the day as it was at night.

I can just imagine how breathtaking this bar would be during a cotton-candy sunset.

Back to breakfast, the Edition deserves a huge kudos for offering complimentary breakfast to all guests, and there was no buffet in sight. Currently, the Edition Como has a 3.9 rating on Marriott, and most grievances stem from the slow service at breakfast. We experienced this issue to some degree, though nothing catastrophic. I envision that eventually the hotel will adjust breakfast by either adding some sort of buffet or excluding breakfast for some guests. Staffing is a huge challenge for hotels in Como. Any new property would have to build a dormitory as workforce housing.

The breakfast menu reads as follows, and you can order as much as you prefer.

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Renzo Breakfast Menu

Over the course of our stay we pretty much sampled everything on the menu. My favorites were the cheese plate and the sweet potato rösti.

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Renzo Breakfast Beverage

The Lake Como Edition Cetino Restaurant Renzo Breakfast Food

The breakfast here was wonderful, particularly considering it’s free for all guests. I’m more than happy to overlook the occasionally slow service.

Depart:

I can’t tell you exactly why, but I had very low expectation going into this stay. For some reason, I’ve been conditioned to presume that this new resort is just another Marriott points farm, where they charge Americans exorbitant prices while not offering a whole lot. Isn’t it a sad state of affairs? What I forgot was that other countries still have this thing called hospitality. Providing good product and service or even making memories is still part of the equation. The Lake Como Edition did a excellent job with its renovation, spared no expenses on its pools and spa, and doesn’t nickel and dime you for much. Although service wasn’t as polished as it would be in France or Switzerland, and housekeeping could be a lot more thorough, everyone was genuinely friendly and helpful. The Edition Lake Como has a lot of potential as a new hotel. If you’ve already been to the other classics on the lake, I’d recommend giving the Edition a try.

Review - The Lake Como Edition

The Lake Como Edition

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