The ancient town of Como, Italy keeps getting better, far surpassing the level of hospitality afforded its founder, Julius Caesar. Though there have long been five-star properties in the towns along the lakeside, the city itself only saw its first open within the last two years.

The proprietors, the Passera family and its Lario Hotels group, are deeply committed to preserving the lake and the history that surrounds it. (Fun fact: Lario is the other Italian / Latin name for Lake Como.)