Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como

Along Lake Como in this small Italian town, the five-star Grand Hotel Tremezzo stands as tall as can be. The dramatic building, with its speckles of Grand Hotel Tremezzo orange awning, is breathtakingly grand. The ground floor entrance is an abundance of green that stretches the entire length of the building, and as guests enter the oak-lined elevator up one floor to the hotel’s main reception, the warmth and luxury of this resort become captivating.

Opened in 1910, the family-owned Grand Hotel Tremezzo retains its Italian spirit in more ways than one. The luxurious and cosy red carpets, the warm and uber-accommodating staff, and the overflowing candy cart in the magnificent lobby give guests a homely and heartfelt Grand Hotel Tremezzo welcome – the kind that leaves you feeling instantly certain you’ll be back.

Located in a grand art nouveau purpose-built palazzo, the sophisticated and fashionable interior is a treat throughout. The hallways are lined with yellow walls, ornate gold mirrors and oak chests. Pops of colour are strategically placed throughout the property – from the pastel striped chairs in La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi Restaurant to the vividly coloured velvet armchairs and sofas in the T Bar. It all adds to the warmth and style that runs through the heart of this resort.

A typical room at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo consists of 90 rooms and suites offering captivating views – some of the glistening lake, with the hotel’s private “Water on Water” pool taking centre stage as you then cast your eye onto the adjacent town of Bellagio. In fact, Bellagio’s lights ensure the view is equally as glistening at night which reminds you of the charm and beauty of the setting – right before you rest your head.

Other rooms offer views of the hotel’s immaculate and stunning 20,000 square feet of gardens and the beautiful Flower Pool. All rooms are a mix of old and new designs – complete with charming vintage frames and mirrors and a touch of velvet and luxury. The finely decorated rooftop suites offer private terraces, outdoor jacuzzis, butler service and panoramic views of the lake.

The hotel’s Flower Pool

The famous floating lake pool, along with the T Beach outside bar, offers a completely unique place for a dip and bathe in Lake Como; another one of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s exclusive features that make this resort a complete “must visit” for any Italian Lake enthusiast.

The hotel’s pool which floats in the lake

La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi Restaurant also offers an unforgettable sensory experience. Guests here enjoy culinary delights from the maestro; Gualtiero Marchesi. When selecting his signature “Riso, oro e zafferano”, which translates to “rice, gold and saffron”, diners are afterwards presented with a certificate to announce how many lucky restaurant-goers have enjoyed this ultra-luxurious take on a classic Italian homemade dish before them.

In fact, the new kitchen at La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi ensures that luxuriously designed interiors are not just reserved for guests, but can also be appreciated by the hotel staff – exemplified by the mix of classical Carrara and Rosso Francia marbles used in its finish – arguably it is the most aesthetically pleasing hotel kitchen in Italy.

The hotel’s bar

For guests after a more casual dining experience, L’Escale Trattoria and the Wine Bar provide informal hideaways fully stocked with fine tipples, cheeses and meats. After dinner, the T Bar has an adjoining lakeside terrace which invites guests to enjoy an evening pianist alongside their nightcap. Sometimes even dance can occur…

Dinner at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo
And then there’s the breakfast. Station upon station of cheeses, meats, pastries and cakes, bread and spreads, set within the pastel pink-hued dining hall at La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi Restaurant – this buffet is certainly one to beat (and one to daydream about for months after you leave).

New for this season, guests can also now relish the privacy and seclusion of Villa Passalacqua, all while enjoying the full amenities of the hotel. This spectacular 18th-century residence has played home to musicians, artists, writers and statesmen from across the globe, including the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte, Vincenzo Bellini and Winston Churchill. The villa comes complete with seven acres of pristine private gardens which span from the top of the hills down to the exclusive lake-side dock – with no less than eight terraces. Surrounding the panoramic swimming pool guests can appreciate eleven working fountains, an olive grove, and a 200-year-old greenhouse. It is rentable in its entirety, for the whole extended family.

Villa Passalacqua

Back at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo guests can also enjoy all the pampering their hearts desire at the fantastic T Spa, designed by architecture studio Venelli Kramer. Florence’s historic Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella brand has also created new, tailored-made treatments this season for the T Spa, such as the “massage candle”, which offers a natural treatment made of pure plant oils and prime emollient butter such as shea, coconut oil and avocado oil.

The T Spa also features an indoor pool with the famous panoramic Grand Hotel Tremezzo view, luxurious treatment rooms, a nail studio (with reclaimed Venetian mosaic floor), an ultra-private “Spa Suite” and a precious Orient-inspired Hammam. A sauna overlooking the lake and a Mediterranean steam room complete the facilities. Also new this year, and making the spa even more special, are the impressively preserved rooms of 18th-century Villa Emilia, with their frescoed ceilings and mosaic floors – all ready for guests to relax in.

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s T Spa

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, or simply “The Grand” for those in the know, has proven with its latest additions that it remains the finest hotel on the Italian lakes – as well as one of the most breath-taking hotels in the world. Just don’t forget to pick up your souvenir hotel mascot teddy bear in the shop as a keepsake.

Words by Alexandra Frances

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy. Rooms start from £615 per night.

The hotel is one hour drive from Milan, with transfers available through Lake Como Transfers