With a hotel there's no need to ask for the heating or look after the pool: you just go down for a swim. On the Italian Lakes, the mountains plunge straight into the water and every shore has its own villages. Here are the 24 hotels I've selected on the Italian Lakes, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend Villa d'Este, Madrigale Panoramic Lifestyle & Soulful Hotel and Lido Palace.
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
24 places shown
The pool. Floating pool on the lake (adults only), children's pool and a large heated indoor pool.
An Aspire journalist who stayed there describes the floating pool, the first on the lake, and a large indoor pool; she doesn't mention heating. Kayak lists the indoor pool as heated.
Guide's tip. The rating is based on few reviews: read some recent comments before you book.
The pool. Two heated outdoor pools with lake views and sunbathing terraces.
One guest talks of excellent pools with plenty of sun loungers, without mentioning the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pools are outdoors: ask how late in the year they're heated if you're travelling early or late in the season.
The pool. Heated outdoor pools in the grounds and an indoor pool.
Several travellers mention the heated outdoor pools and a very attractive indoor pool.
Guide's tip. Get the outdoor pools' opening period confirmed.
The pool. Indoor pool and outdoor pool separated by a glass wall, plus an indoor jacuzzi. Expedia presents the pools as heated.
The hot tub. Indoor jacuzzi in the spa.
The Oyster guide describes the half-indoor, half-outdoor pool divided by a glass screen. Expedia's review summary mentions much-loved heated pools, without giving a temperature.
Guide's tip. Swimming through from the inside lets you stay warm even when the air is cool: handy early in the season.
The pool. Heated indoor pool listed among the facilities.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The listing is brief: ask the hotel about the indoor pool's hours and size.
The pool. Three saltwater pools: an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the lake (seasonal) and an indoor pool under a glass roof.
Expedia guests love the infinity pool above the lake. The Oyster guide notes that sun loungers get snapped up quickly. Nobody mentions the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Out of season the outdoor pool closes: rely on the indoor pool. The hotel closes in January.
The pool. Two indoor pools, one with a lake view, and an outdoor infinity pool open in season.
Guests find the infinity pool breathtaking; none mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. A hotel designed for adults: check the children's policy before booking as a family.
The pool. Heated rooftop infinity pool with lake views. Indoor pool in the spa, plus a jacuzzi and sauna.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi in the spa.
A blogger who stayed there describes a heated rooftop pool and lovely warm water after a day's sightseeing; he was there the day before it closed for winter. American Express, on the other hand, presents the pool as open year-round. On Kayak the pool scores 9.5/10 and is often cited as the highlight of the stay.
Guide's tip. Sources disagree on whether the rooftop pool opens in winter: get it confirmed; the spa's indoor pool remains a fallback.
The pool. Heated outdoor pool in the grounds, on the lakeshore; indoor pool in the wellness area inspired by Roman baths.
A blogger hosted by the hotel in September describes the heated outdoor pool and the spa with its indoor pool, without giving a temperature.
Guide's tip. The outdoor pool closes out of season: in winter, rely on the indoor pool.
The pool. Heated indoor pool at the spa, outdoor pool and a 'zen' pool.
The Kayak review summary highlights the pool (9.5/10 in the category scores), without mentioning the temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the outdoor pool is heated outside summer.
The pool. Four indoor and four outdoor pools (at least one seasonal) and a thermal bath. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask which outdoor pools are open during your stay.
The pool. Two outdoor pools: a panoramic rooftop pool, heated during the winter months, and one in the garden. An indoor pool is also listed among the facilities.
Two guests mention the heated rooftop pool, which they found superb. The listing contradicts itself about which pool is heated, but the rooftop one is the one reviews mention.
Guide's tip. For warm water, go for the rooftop pool – at its most beautiful at sunset.
The pool. Indoor pool at the spa and outdoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask when the outdoor pool is open.
The pool. Large heated outdoor pool, long enough for swimming, with views of the lake and mountains. Heated hot tub facing the lake.
The hot tub. Heated hot tub with a view of the lake.
Tour operator Audley and booking platform Escapio both advertise a heated pool. On Kayak the pool scores 9/10 and guests praise a well-kept pool area; they also mention the spa's jacuzzi and hammam. I haven't found any reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is outdoors: in spring and autumn, ask the hotel whether it will be open and heated on your dates.
The pool. Indoor pool open year-round; seasonal outdoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The outdoor pool only opens in season: out of season, only the indoor pool is available.
The pool. Three pools: a pool floating on the lake, one in the grounds and an indoor infinity pool in the spa, heated to 30 °C year-round. Outdoor jacuzzi alongside.
The hot tub. Outdoor jacuzzi in the spa.
The founder of Luxe Wellness Club, who stayed at the hotel, particularly enjoyed the spa's indoor pool, heated to 30 °C in every season. On Kayak, several guests cite the floating pool as a highlight of their stay, without mentioning its temperature.
Guide's tip. For a warm swim outside summer, go for the spa pool: there's nothing to suggest the floating pool is heated.
The pool. Two indoor pools (one with slides, according to The Hotel Guru), an outdoor pool and a children's pool.
One guest says they used the pool every day. No source specifies whether the pools are heated or at what temperature.
Guide's tip. The indoor pools are the safe bet in spring and autumn; ask the hotel whether the outdoor pool is heated.
The pool. Recently renovated floating pool on the lake, and an indoor pool with lake views in the spa.
A travel adviser who came to inspect the hotel thinks the floating pool is the most beautiful she's seen on the lake; she doesn't say whether it's heated. Kayak guests praise a superb pool, but give it 7/10 in the detailed ratings.
Guide's tip. Only the indoor pool guarantees mild water: save the floating pool for hot days.
The pool. Indoor and outdoor pools advertised as heated and open year-round, including an infinity pool with a view.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Adults-only hotel: ideal for a quiet stay, not for families.
The pool. Indoor pool, outdoor pool and children's pool. Heating isn't specified.
The Kayak review summary praises a lovely pool area, without mentioning the temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask when the outdoor pool is open.
The pool. Heated indoor pool and heated outdoor pool (seasonal according to Kayak).
The Kayak review summary praises a relaxing pool area; the pool scores 8.5/10. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get the outdoor pool's opening period confirmed.
The pool. Outdoor thermal-water pool on the lakeshore; hot springs open 9:00 to 20:00.
The hot tub. Hot tub.
Travellers describe a warm outdoor thermal pool at just the right temperature. The pool scores 9/10 in Kayak reviews.
Guide's tip. Sirmione's thermal water is naturally warm: a good choice for outdoor swimming in the shoulder seasons.
The pool. Heated rooftop pool with panoramic views of the lake and a bar alongside.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The tour operator warns that the pools may close in low season depending on the weather: get the opening confirmed.
The pool. Indoor bubble pool at the spa and outdoor pool on the lakeshore. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the outdoor pool is heated and when.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Villa d'Este (Hotel), with 4.6/5 (15 reviews · TripAdvisor et Expedia (via Skyscanner)). Next come Madrigale Panoramic Lifestyle & Soulful Hotel (4.5/5) and Lido Palace (9.8/10).
Yes at Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Hotel Ocelle Thermae & Spa – Adults Only: the pool is advertised as heated all year round. At Hilton Lake Como and Palace Hotel Desenzano, heating is seasonal (closed in winter, according to one guest). Villa d'Este, Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda and EALA My Lakeside Dream have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
Advertised temperatures: 30 °C at Grand Hotel Tremezzo. For the other places the temperature isn't published: ask the property.
Yes: Lido Palace, Hilton Lake Como and Hotel Belvedere Bellagio also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Leonardo da Vinci (Limone) · Lake Garda | Indoor and outdoor pools, advertised as heated. | 3,9/5 | Rating below 8/10 (Tripadvisor, 1,053 reviews) |
| The Lake Como EDITION · Lake Como | Indoor pool and outdoor pool; heating not specified. | 7,9/10 | Rating below 8/10 (Kayak, 9 reviews) |
Sources: Kayak, lastminute.com.
