Grand Hotel Tremezzo – Lake Como
( 5* Deluxe / 90 restrooms & Suites)
Elegant, stylish and fashionable, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo stands majestically on the western shore, offering sophisticated interiors combining strong colours and classical details. Sun yourself by the floating pool, sip cocktails on the terrace or zip along the lake in one of the hotel’s chic water limousines.
Standard rooms are decorated in pastel hues and period furnishings. Black and white prints and watercolours embellish the walls, while low lighting adds to the warm atmosphere. Bow windows or small balconies look out onto the lush gardens. While the park views and soothing sounds of the garden are lovely, it’s worth spending a bit more for a lake view room; after all, one is here to enjoy the splendid panoramas the hotel offers.
With five restaurants and bars, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The fine-dining La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi serves iconic dishes by celebrated Italian Chef Gualtiero Marchesi, the founder of modern Italian cuisine – expect creative dishes such as saffron risotto with gold leaf, and monkfish in blank ink served on a bright red bed of tomato sauce. The more informal L’Escale, located in the ancient wine cellars of the hotel, serves traditional Italian trattoria cuisine and doubles as a cosy wine bar.
Within the garden is T Pizza, serving wood-fired pizzas, while T Beach serves grilled meats and fish in a fashionable setting on the lakeshore by the floating pool. For drinks, head to T Bar and watch the sun go down with a drink in hand. The buffet breakfast is served on the terrace with wonderful lake views, with everything you could possibly want, from cold cuts and cheeses to cereal, fruits and freshly baked pastries.
The hotel stands magnificently on the lakefront, offering a gorgeous panorama of Lake Como. Its grand façade looks out towards beautiful Bellagio, which lies across the water on the eastern shore. From the hotel it’s a short walk to the beautiful 17th-century Villa Carlotta, home to spectacular 20-acre gardens flush with exotic plants and flowers, while regular boat services to destinations around the lake leave from Cadenabbia, less than half a mile north.
The hotel offers some of the best facilities around, particularly the outstanding spa. You’ll find a stylish floating pool on the lake, while nestled away in the gardens at the back is a more secluded swimming pool (a third is found in the T Spa), a floodlit clay tennis court and a panoramic path winding up the hill; head to the top for lovely lake views. Inside, there’s a billiards room and reading room.
The hotel’s T-Spa, located in the 18th-century Villa Emilia, features a heated indoor infinity pool with five hydro-massage areas and an attached outdoor whirlpool tub. It offers traditional hammam treatments and signature wellness experiences exclusively designed by Santa Maria Novella. There’s a sauna looking out over the water, a frescoed relaxation lounge, a mosaic-lined nail studio and hair salon. The private T-Spa Suite is designed for couples or close friends, with its own whirlpool tub, sauna and steam room. There’s a well-equipped gym set over three floors, and al fresco yoga classes take place around the floating pool or at the top of the gardens.