I would recommend the Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace on Lake Como - directly accross from Bellagio. I'm not sure what rate it may be currently. It may be a little steep in price, though the link below says from 220 Euros. Absolutely gorgeous views and right next to the ferry which will take you to various places around the lake. Just a beautiful hotel.
http://www.initaly.com/agri/hotels/t...o/tremezzo.htm (click on "photo album")

Another place that I want to return to some day for a week, with a stack of books and sit and watch the spectacular scenery is the Hotel Aniro on the side of the mountain, in Castagnola, right next to Lugano. This is a very basic, reasonably priced hotel with a pool and some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Sorry, I do not have a website, but Google should turn up something.

Your post isn't clear on how much time - 1/2 week or 1 1/2 weeks? If the latter, I would recommend renting a car, driving and staying in 2 or 3 places - Como, Lugano, Maggiore, etc.