Hotel Villa Aurora

Hotel Villa Aurora is a mid-range boutique hotel that caters to both families and couples. A family-run operation, the owners provide attentive and personalized service to guests -- from the free home-cooked breakfast each morning to dining and sightseeing suggestions. The hotel was originally built in 1912 and changed hands a few times until the current owners purchased the property in 1965.

The three-story property is situated on a lovely neighborhood street and has light blue shutters and a tiled roof. Outside there is an expansive sun deck that overlooks Lake Como with lounge chairs and umbrellas, but no pool. The check-in desk is very simple -- plain white with little additional fuss. Inside the breakfast room, there’s a living room-style seating area with a piano and chandelier. The sofas and chairs are covered in slipcovers and could possibly use an update. The hallways are sparsely decorated, while the rooms have a quaint country-cottage sort of feel.

The hotel is located in Lezzeno, a very quiet, small hillside town with around 2,000 residents, a few restaurants, and small shops. A dock is located about a five-minute walk away from the hotel with a ferry that takes travelers to nearby Bellagio. Hotel staff also offers hiking tips for the many nearby trails. Jolly Racing Club, a wake boarding and tubing school also run by the hotel owners, is located within walking distance. Guests can rent equipment and boats for a fee at the club.

Room styles and sizes vary greatly, depending on whether they're labeled Standard, Deluxe, Superior, or Suite. Standard spaces are basic and bright, with little decoration, wood floors, white bedding, and clean and simple bedrooms. Each room has a different theme and some rooms have hand painted fresco-like decor -- subtle and tasteful -- on the walls. Rooms with double doors opening to direct lake views are by far the best. (Rates vary depending on the season and the view of the room.) Bathrooms have lovely, quality fixtures and individual shampoos and creams, not always standard in hotels of this size in Europe. There are also off-site apartments available with kitchens for families who prefer to cook their own food.

Hotel Villa Aurora offers several free amenities that include daily breakfast (guests rave about the homemade chocolate croissants), parking and garage use, Wi-Fi, and the use of canoes, kayaks, and water trampolines. Hotel staff will organize guided trekking and hiking tours as well as provide information about other sightseeing tours and boat rentals. There’s also an onsite laundry room with washer/dryer that guests can use for a fee.

For food lovers, the Restaurant Aurora features a range of traditional Italian cuisine while La Terrazza offers authentic pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven. Il Terrazzino bar serves cocktails, wine, and light fare.