The Honest, Paid-For Breakdown of One of the World’s Best Hotels, the Mandarin Oriental Lake Como (And What We’d Skip Next Time)
At Knowpert, we don’t write glowing reviews because a hotel handed us a comped room and a gift basket. We write about the places we actually paid full price for, which means you’re getting the truth — not PR talking points.
So when my wife, our two-year-old daughter, and I spent several nights at the Mandarin Oriental Lake Como, I came in with high expectations… and a credit card bill to prove it.
Did it live up to the hype? Mostly yes — with a few learnings I’d absolutely want someone to know before they booked.
🛏️ The Mandarin Oriental Lake Como Room — Scored: 9.5/10
We booked the Vista Lago Suite, and it might be the most comfortable setup I’ve had with a toddler.
- Modern interiors? ✅
- Wraparound terrace with lake views? ✅
- A crib that didn’t look like it came from a 1990s rental agency? ✅✅
Having a proper one-bedroom suite made all the difference — our daughter slept in peace while we sipped wine on the terrace like we were in a James Bond film.
Would I book this room again? Yes — if traveling with a kid. Otherwise, a standard room still gets you all the Mandarin magic, minus the price tag.
🌅 The View — Scored: 10/10
This isn’t a metaphor: you wake up and Lake Como is just there.
Morning espresso? Wine at sunset? It doesn’t matter — that view never stops being stunning. The Mandarin is tucked just outside the busier towns, which makes the setting feel even more serene.
🏊 Pool & Spa — Scored: 9/10
- The outdoor pool is perfection: peaceful, rarely crowded, and framed by postcard-worthy views.
- The indoor pool and spa was a surprise highlight. With a toddler, it turned into our private heated pool experience, plus sauna, steam room, and salt room therapy for us.
Would we do this again? 100%. If I could teleport myself to that cold plunge post-espresso every morning, I would.
🍷 Wine Tasting Experience — Scored: 7/10
We did the Great Italian Reds tasting (440€) and the Traditional Italian Whites & Reds (150€).
- The sommelier was incredibly knowledgeable.
- Bonus: two phenomenal pizzas from the on-site pizza oven.
But here’s the truth: The €440 option? Not worth it. The wines weren’t rare or expensive enough to justify it.
Stick with the €150 class — great wines, great education, and the same pizza perks.
🚤 Lake Como Boat Tour — Scored: 9.5/10
We booked a 2-hour private boat tour from the Mandarin’s dock (approx. €600). It was magical — the villas, the lake air, the quiet, the James Bond fantasy.
Next time: we’d do a full day and skip ordering food from the hotel for the boat — it’s wildly overpriced for what you get. Champagne and wine, however, were surprisingly reasonable.
🍽️ Dining at the Mandarin — Scored: 8.5/10 Overall
L’Aria (Fine Dining / Japanese-Inspired)
- Elegant, serene, and beautifully designed.
- Pasta dishes were great.
- The sushi? Skip it. Not bad, but not worth Maldives-style pricing.
Best For: A romantic dinner or splurge meal — just don’t chase the raw fish.
Como Bar & Bistro (Casual Dining)
This might be the best value restaurant on the property.
- The Linguine Vongole is one of the best I’ve ever had.
- Their gluten-free pasta (per my wife) is among the best she’s had globally.
- And the Diavola pizza? NYC-born me says: legit amazing.
Bonus: Their pizza oven runs from 12pm to late — it became our daily ritual.
Pool Bar Bistro
A well placed restaurant with great options.
- It is very reasonably priced.
- For lakefront pasta and wine? Worth it.
Also: Huge shoutout to the staff who brought our toddler new coloring books and pencils at every meal. (We now own 12 of them.)
🍕 Top 5 Food Items You Should Absolutely Order
- Diavola Pizza
- Linguine Vongole (Regular or GF)
- Any Margherita-style Pizza
- Gelato
- White & Red Wine Tasting Pizza Bonus
💬 Final Thoughts — Scored: 9.2/10 Overall
Would I stay at the Mandarin Oriental Lake Como again?
Absolutely. It’s one of the best hotel experiences I’ve ever had — not because it’s flashy or showy, but because it nails the small things: service, setting, serenity. Even with a toddler in tow, we felt relaxed, taken care of, and truly on vacation.
Would I change a few things next time? Sure.
- Skip the sushi.
- Choose the lower-tier wine tasting.
- Bring your own boat snacks.
But if you’re looking for modern luxury in Lake Como, this is the spot.
🧭 Knowpert Scorecard
| Category | Score | Would We Recommend? |
|---|---|---|
| Room & Comfort | 9.5/10 | Yes, esp. with kids |
| Lake View | 10/10 | Unmissable |
| Pool & Spa | 9/10 | Absolutely |
| Wine Tasting | 7/10 | Do the €150 version |
| Boat Tour | 9.5/10 | Yes, do longer |
| Dining Overall | 8.5/10 | Prioritize pizza + pasta |
| Overall Experience | 9.2/10 | Highly Recommend |
Bottom Line: If you’re going to splurge on Lake Como, spend it here.
And yes, we paid full price — so you know we mean it.