In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 50 guest reviews of ARIA Retreat & SPA - The Leading Hotels of the World. Guests in the sample highlight Service & staff, Location and The rooms. The most common complaints: The restaurant was sometimes closed, or a booking cancelled at the last minute. Extras such as parking, tennis and use of the kitchen are charged separately.
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ARIA Retreat & SPA in Porlezza offers a 5-star experience with spa facilities, a wellness centre, swimming pool with a view, sauna, fitness centre, sun terrace, garden, open-air bath, restaurant, bar, and free WiFi.
Guests enjoy private check-in and check-out, beauty services, steam room, wellness packages, fitness room, hot tub, 24-hour front desk, concierge service, daily housekeeping, electric vehicle charging, outdoor seating, family rooms, full-day security, bicycle parking, breakfast in the room, room service, solarium, bike hire, and luggage storage.
The modern, romantic restaurant serves Italian, Mediterranean, and vegetarian cuisines. Breakfast options include Italian, full English/Irish, and vegetarian.
Located 18 km from Villa Carlotta, 22 km from Villa Balbianello, and 79 km from Milan Malpensa Airport. Nearby attractions include Villa Fogazzaro (6 km) and Santuario B.V. della Caravina (2.2 km).
Tripplo's verdict, based on guest reviews
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 20 October 2026 · How we review hotels
ARIA Retreat & SPA is best suited to couples seeking a wellness-focused retreat rather than a base for sightseeing. The extensive spa and wellness centre forms the core of the property, complemented by a scenic swimming pool and private check-in and checkout for added discretion. Breakfast and dining draw praise from guests. The restaurant, however, serves dinner only, the hotel sits at some distance from Milan's airport, and it is not close to the lake's major attractions, so a car is useful for exploring beyond the grounds.
Guests score it 9.6 out of 10 — the average across the 16 hotels we list in Lake Como is 9.3.
What Guests Loved
- The property combines a sauna, steam room, hot tub, and solarium with tailored wellness packages and beauty treatments, appealing to guests seeking a slower, restorative pace rather than a packed itinerary.
- Set against the backdrop of the surrounding landscape, the pool area includes a sun terrace and open-air bath, giving guests a quiet spot to unwind outdoors regardless of the season.
Things to Consider
- At roughly 79 km from Milan Malpensa Airport, travellers should factor in transfer time, making a rental car or pre-arranged transport advisable for a smoother arrival.
- Sites such as Villa Carlotta and Monte San Giorgio are a drive of 18 to 47 km away, so guests focused on sightseeing may need to plan day trips in advance.
Free PDF: what guests really say about ARIA Retreat & SPA - The Leading Hotels of the World
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- Pros and cons in every category guests mention
- The complaints that come up again and again
- Room guide and price analysis
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Rooms & which one to pick
- One-Bedroom Suite with Lake View1 king bedsleeps 2Lake view
- Suite with Lake View2 king bedssleeps 4Lake view
- Three-Bedroom Suite with Lake View3 king bedssleeps 6Lake view
- Two-Bedroom Suite with Lake View2 king bedssleeps 4Lake view
- Superior Suite with Lake View2 king bedssleeps 4Lake view
- Superior King Suite with Lake View2 king bedssleeps 4Lake view
Room types as listed on Booking.com; availability varies by date.
What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 50 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.
The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.
Food & restaurants
- +Breakfast served in your room or on your terrace
- +Good all-day dining with an excellent wine list
- +Delicious meals with a varied menu in the restaurant
- –The restaurant was sometimes closed, or a booking cancelled at the last minute
- –Limited menu choice and dining times
- –Some found breakfast and the restaurants below the hotel's standard
”Breakfast on the balcony was amazing. The view was incredible.” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Warm, attentive staff who make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive
- +Personal touches, from helping plan a proposal to a surprise upgrade for an anniversary
- +Easy to reach the hotel by WhatsApp
- –Families were told children can't use the spa, pool or restaurant
- –Reception service can be uneven
”It's not often you come across a team this friendly and caring, and they're really what made this trip special.” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark
- +Excellent spa with a large indoor pool
- +A sauna with a view, and facilities that rival top spas
- –The outdoor pool is very small
- –The spa pools and hot tub can be cooler than expected
”The location, the elevated lake view, the spa and the indoor pool are great.” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Spacious, modern suites with large terraces and balconies
- +Beautifully equipped rooms with very comfortable beds
- –Some suites felt cramped for their category
- –A few missed certain amenities or found the pillows uncomfortable
”The rooms are very well equipped with everything you could wish for. The balcony is huge, with a lovely view of the mountains.” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +Spotlessly clean throughout
- +Beautifully maintained, with attention to detail everywhere
”Everything was spotlessly clean, and you could really feel the attention to detail everywhere.” — guest, translated
Location
- +Breathtaking, elevated views over the lake and the mountains
- +Serene and away from the crowds, yet a short drive from Lake Como
- +Beautifully landscaped grounds
- –Hard to get around without a car, as taxis are scarce and pricey
- –Some rooms overlook the adjoining family resort
- –You enter through the garage, which makes a poor first impression
”Set in a serene spot overlooking the lake, with a breathtaking panorama of crystal-blue water and surrounding mountains.” — guest, translated
Noise levels
- +Peace and quiet in a small, intimate hotel
- +A calm setting that is ideal for switching off
- –Some rooms catch noise from children at the neighbouring family resort
”A small hotel, but it has everything you would get in a huge hotel, with peace and quiet.” — guest, translated
Value for money
- +Not cheap, but many feel it is worth it
- –Extras such as parking, tennis and use of the kitchen are charged separately
- –Some find it overpriced, the restaurants included
”It isn't cheap, but it is worth every bit.” — guest, translated
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Frequently asked questions
How do guests rate ARIA Retreat & SPA - The Leading Hotels of the World?
On Booking.com it scores 9.6/10 from 143 guest reviews.
How many stars does ARIA Retreat & SPA - The Leading Hotels of the World have?
ARIA Retreat & SPA - The Leading Hotels of the World is a 5-star hotel.
What amenities does ARIA Retreat & SPA - The Leading Hotels of the World offer?
ARIA Retreat & SPA - The Leading Hotels of the World offers free Wifi, swimming pool, spa and wellness center, private Parking, restaurant and non-smoking rooms.
Weather & sea temperature — Lake Como
Right now: 17° air · 21° sea
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