The fabulous gardens lining the shores of this iconic lake are in full bloom this month, and the temperatures are balmy, too, making it the perfect time to explore before the peak season crowds arrive.
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
Celebrating its 152nd anniversary this season, this luxury hotel has been in the same family for four generations, and prides itself on authentic Italian hospitality and service: it’s beloved by some of the great names of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Oozing old school opulence, the interiors feature marble staircases, Murano glass chandeliers, frescoed ceilings and antique furniture.
The five-star facilities include two fabulous restaurants, Mistral and La Goletta, led by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Bocchia, and the stunning spa, Luce del Lago, which has been extended this season, incorporating a Hammam and a new, multi- functional spa suite. Outside, the beautiful Italianate gardens boast tennis courts and a lakeside pool.
This season also saw the launch of Baci da Bellagio Beach Club, the hotel’s brand-new Riviera-inspired beach club boasting a menu that features fresh seafood, signature cocktails, and Italian delicacies, all enjoyed with unparalleled views over the water. La dolce vita.
villaserbelloni.com
Villa d’Este
A Grand Dame of the lake, built in 1568, Villa d’Este was once home to princesses, marquises, sultans and tsars. And since 1873, it has been an elegant five-star resort; one of the most celebrated in the world. Spread across 25 acres of manicured grounds along the waterfront at Cernobbio it is simply vast, but the service is never anything but personal and professional.
Classically decorated rooms feature period furnishings, silk-brocade drapes, linen sheets, and Renaissance oil paintings. And, for those seeking something extra special, four ultra- luxurious villas are dotted throughout the grounds, offering the ultimate blend of privacy with the best of the hotel’s unmatched hospitality and service.
Facilities here are first class, from the legendary floating swimming pool that sits directly on the lake to the indoor Sporting Club.
The hotel is also known for its impressive culinary offering by executive chef Michele Zambanini, which includes, amongst other tempting options, fine dining at the Veranda, and a more relaxed take on Mediterranean cuisine at the Grill. There’s truly something for everyone at this very special hotel.
villadeste.com
Il Sereno
Recognised as one of the top ten ‘Best Hotels in Italy’ in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 and awarded 2 Michelin Keys by the Michelin Hotel Keys Guide, Il Sereno opened to great fanfare in 2016. Located in the little town of Torno on the lake’s south-eastern shore, the all-suite hotel is set in a striking, modern building hewn from stone, wood, bronze, and copper. Designed by Particia Urquiola, the contemporary aesthetic set it apart from its neo classical neighbours. Combining timeless elegance with modern sophistication, Il Sereno sought to redefine Lake Como’s luxury landscape –and it continues to stand out from the crowd nearly a decade on.
Each of the chic suites features floor-to-ceiling windows and furnished terraces, boasting uninterrupted waterfront views. Interiors incorporate a palette of greens, blues and neutrals that reflect the colours of the lake, and the furnishings include some of Urquiola’s best-selling designs, including Flos lamps and B&B Italia chairs. Outside, a 60-foot-long freshwater infinity pool is suspended dramatically over the lake, while Ernesto Riva boats offer a stylish way to explore. And after a day on the lake, guests can unwind at the serene spa, where treatments from Swiss brand Valmont provide a restorative escape.
Equally special is the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Sereno Al Lago. One of the area’s premier dining destinations, it is overseen by executive chef Raffaele Lenzi, who is renowned for his innovative and award-winning menus. serenohotels.com/property/il-sereno
