Grand Hotel Tremezzo — lostwithlina.com

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a destination in itself.

An oasis of opulence and indulgence, Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a world-renowned address and symbol of Italian hospitality standing majestically on the western shores of Lake Como.

When I first visited Lake Como in 2018, I remember passing the Grand Hotel Tremezzo on the slow ferry I was onboard as I headed to Bellagio. The former palace captured my attention in a way not many places ever have. In my mind, it was the absolute essence of La Dolce Vita - a place so magical and romantic. Fast forward three years and there I was experiencing its glamour and grandeur for myself. Located right in the heart of Tremezzo town with unparalleled views across to Bellagio and the Grigne Mountains, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is an authentic art nouveau palace offering all the delights a luxury five-star hotel could offer, and so much more. It is a magnet for the magnificent; having accommodated celebrities, royalty and all manner of well-heeled visitors over the years.

Bellagio-born Enea Gandola and his wife, Maria Orsolini, first built and opened the Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s doors in 1910, after touring the grand hotels of Europe. They welcomed Belle Epoque society elites and bourgeois families to their lakeside playground; a place of sophistication that would meet the needs of a new, illustrious type of traveller. To this day, Grand Hotel Tremezzo is family run and retains the hallmarks of a proprietor-led property as well as an air of its glamorous past. In 2010, for its 100th anniversary, Valentina de Santis—whose grandfather bought Grand Hotel Tremezzo in 1973 from a previous owner who had let it deteriorate —began adding contemporary touches and features to Grand Hotel Tremezzo, which has become a local icon of Lago di Como.

Coated in a soft limoncello yellow with each of its hundred lake facing windows canopied in bright orange (the hotel’s signature colour) and tangerine candy-striped umbrellas by the floating pool, Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s exterior provides a striking contrast to its classic interiors and ornate façades. High ceilings, grand staircases and glittering chandeliers are the hallmarks one expects from such a grand hotel, yet there is something timeless about Tremezzo, not due solely to its new touches. There is a lightness in the air cast by the huge curving windows and high ceilings that offset the heavier touches of history; not to mention the glorious new floating pool which creates the feeling of a classic lakeside lido with its white loungers and parasols. Like all historic villas on Lake Como, Grand Hotel Tremezzo sits amid a vast park (over 20,000 landscaped square metres) with lush gardens and steep terraces that surround pools, lawns, restaurants, bars and areas for lounging. It’s the kind of place you never want to leave.

LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE

Grand Hotel Tremezzo enjoys a rather enviable lakeside location, just off the scenic road of Lake Como, right at the edge of Tremezzo, a picturesque village set in the mid-lake region, arguably the most breathtaking section of Lago di Como. Tremezzo is set on the lake’s western banks and looks across the water to Bellagio. From the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, it’s a short stroll to Tremezzo’s most famous attraction, the 17th century Villa Carlotta, which is home to impressive gardens planted with a variety of the rarest plants and trees. Grand Hotel Tremezzo is also ideally located to explore Lake Como with regular ferry services to other villages surrounding the lake all departing from nearby Cadenabbia (a 10 min walk away).

Milan Malpensa Airport is just 80km away. Hotel Tremezzo can arrange transfers costing from €220 to €370, depending on the size of the car required and the number of passengers. The next closest airport is Milan Linate.

If you’re travelling from other Italian cities, the train is a fantastic, affordable and convenient option. Como San Giovanni station is 29km (30 min drive) away, and Grand Hotel Tremezzo can arrange transfers to and from the station, costing from €110 to €210, depending on the car.

For those opting to enjoy the drive, Grand Hotel Tremezzo has valet parking, which costs €35 a night (plus VAT). Grand Hotel Tremezzo is roughly an hour from Milan. From Milan, follow the signs for the A9 motorway in the direction of Como–Chiasso, then take the Lago di Como exit. After about 1km, take the third exit at the roundabout and follow the sign for Menaggio, which will lead to a drive along the panoramic road (Strada Statale Regina SS340) along the shore of the lake for about 25km. Orange signs along the road will indicate the distance to the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, which is just past the Tremezzo town sign.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo is also very well connected by ferry to Varenna and Bellagio and local ports are within an easy walking distance.

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time to visit Lake Como is between April and October, when warm temperatures and mostly sunny days. The territory is characterised as having a subcontinental climate, with cold winters and muggy summers; humidity is particularly high all year.

July and August are the hottest months and the best time for going to the beach and enjoying the cool breeze. In addition, water temperatures are ideal for many sports. July is also one of the driest months of the year. The best spring and autumn months to visit Como Lake are May & June and September & October, when temperatures are mild but sometimes there are days with torrential rains.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo is closed every year from November to March.

THE TREMEZZO EXPERIENCE

Waking up to a 180-degree view of the sun peeking over the alps and glistening on the lake is what dreams are made of. From the moment you arrive at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo you’ll be enamoured by its charm. The uninterrupted views of the law, the grandiose nature of the palace itself and the service of the delightful hotel staff who make you feel as though you’re family - we instantly felt at home here.

The Pools & Award-Winning T Spa

The hotel boasts three unique swimming pools; the most iconic being the water-on-water floating pontoon pool located on the lakefront of the hotel. The area also features a newly expanded T Beach; a stretch of real sand overlooking the Bellagio and the mountains. The beachfront is an ode to the 1950’s and 1960’s Italian Riviera, complete with sun loungers and a bar. This pool also has a casual dining restaurant, though the food isn’t quite so casual. The pool and beach are only available to hotel guests, but the restaurant here is open to all.

The Flowers Pool, located amongst the hotel’s gardens, is Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s second outdoor pool, and probably my favourite of the three. Hidden beneath the bicentennial pine trees, palms and banana trees in a perfectly curated little jungle oasis, this pool is the definition of tranquillity; offering guests total seclusion and a partial view onto the lake. The hotel’s Pizza Bar (featuring a pizza oven and al fresco tables) is located right by the pool, hence why it was my favourite place to spend a summer's day.

Last but not least, there is the T Spa Infinity Pool, which peers out from its very own balcony and runs for several metres until it disappears into a tunnel inside the hotel. The grotto within the tunnel also has three different sensory jet spas to enjoy. If you’re looking to indulge in relaxation, the hotel’s recently revamped and award-winning T Spa is a complete retreat for the senses. Located in the historic Villa Emilia (next to the main hotel building) which was once the library of nearby Villa Carlotta, the T Spa gently coaxes guests into a state of relaxation with multi-award winning facilities, hammam treatments and signature massages exclusively designed by Santa Maria Novella. Other facilities include a Turkish bath, Mediterranean steam room, sauna, emotional showers, an ice fountain, panoramic relaxation lounge, mosaic-lined nail studio and hair salon, and a well-equipped gym spread over three floors.

Exploring the Lake

No trip to Lake Como is complete without exploring the lake; and at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, you can do this in style. One of the greatest additions to the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is Ruy, a restored 1950s Venetian style speed boat donated by the owner’s father, who also once ran the hotel. You can charter Ruy for a private excursion directly through Grand Hotel Tremezzo, where your captain will show you the most spectacular spots on the lake whilst providing you with a history lesson on the magical villas you see along the way. The experience itself was one of the highlights of our trip to Lake Como.

If you’re holidaying at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo for longer than a week, there are an array of outdoor activities to do and plenty of places to explore around the lake. The countryside surrounding Grand Hotel Tremezzo is zig-zagged with wonderful hiking trails and cycle paths. The concierge can provide you with maps and even arrange bike rental, excursions, walks and picnics. Seven of Italy's top 18-hole golf courses are all within driving distance of Grand Hotel Tremezzo. One of the oldest and best-regarded clubs in Europe, the Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club, is merely 5km away. If you fancy some retail therapy, hotel owner Valentina will happily share the names of her favourite boutiques around Como.

For guests with larger wallets you can hire a seaplane for a bird’s-eye-view of the lake. Take a short stroll to Villa Carlotta, just next door to Grand Hotel Tremezzo, and visit its exquisite gardens. Take the ferry to Bellagio to explore the historic town and check out the gardens of Villa Serbelloni. Star Wars fans may want to survey Villa del Balbianello, where parts of the film were shot, along with Casino Royale and many other films.

Private Villa Sola Cabiati

In the 16th century, the Villa Sola Cabiati was built along the shores of Lake Como by a noble Lombardy family. In the 18th century the Duke of Serbelloni decided to take this villa and create a masterpiece for the family’s grand summer home. Located close to Grand Hotel Tremezzo the Villa Sola Cabiati is offered through the Grand Hotel Tremezzo for weddings and special events. This is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a magical experience enveloped in aristocratic elegance, and a chance to step back into a gracious time.

LUXURY SUITES & ACCOMMODATIONS

Despite its grandeur, Grand Hotel Tremezzo has a remarkably warm and cosy feel to it, with only 90 rooms and suites, and a 200-guest capacity. All rooms enjoy views of either the garden or the lake, with each housing contemporary decors that perfectly blend with the glamour and allure of the historic palace.

Our third-floor Lakeview Prestige Room was tastefully decorated in muted shades of taupe with its centrepiece an intricate velvet headboard with gold filigree set off by gold-framed pictures of historical scenes. Decorative swag curtains framed the French doors leading onto our cast-iron balcony that became our viewing platform for the lake. The balcony offered glorious views of the lake speckled with terracotta homes reflecting on the water and the lush green hillsides, and was the perfect place from which to gaze down on the hotel’s newly renovated lakeside lido and people watch. Our bathroom was covered in marble surfaces, and featured a deep bath and walk-in shower. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo has also developed its very own fragrance – Aqua Como. The scent is used in complimentary toiletries in your room, in the T Spa, and it filters throughout the entire hotel. The combined floral aromas of rose, violet, jasmine, lily of the valley, white musk, cedarwood, and green notes of comino and cloves create the kind of perfume that creates memories. Everything from the gold headboard over our oversize bed to the tangerine beach tote bag provided in the wardrobe of your room is impeccably branded and to the highest of quality. You’re constantly being reminded that you’re in a place of utter luxury that’s there for you to relish in.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD

When it comes to food, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo exceeds all expectations. With five restaurants and bars to choose from, guests are spoiled for choice.

La Terrazza Restaurant is located on the lobby level, which is also where guests are served breakfast (which is a serious business), and has unbeatable views out over the lake from its veranda. Helmed by head chef Osvaldo Presazzi, La Terrazza serves traditional gourmet Italian cuisine and i's named for Gualtiero Marchesi, the 'father of modern Italian cuisine' and serves his signature dishes (open ravioli and gilded saffron risotto).

One floor below La Terrazza, you’ll find L’Esacale is the hotel’s trattoria and wine bar. It’s a beautiful stone-clad, cosy wine room with a balcony overlooking the lake too. This is a romantic and intimate yet relaxed dining option, housed in a renovated wine cellar. The menu features traditional local dishes, such as homemade pastas and grilled meats with a contemporary twist. A wine tasting menu will also allow you to properly peruse (and taste) some of the more than 300 Italian regional wines.

Tremezzo’s T Bar is the place to go for an even more informal experience. Located on one of the hotel’s terraces, you’ll find a classic all-day menu served here throughout the day, featuring pastas, sandwiches, and delicious desserts. In the evenings, you can settle in and enjoy the view over Bellagio with an aperol spritz in hand whilst being serenaded by live jazz.

If it’s al fresco dining you're in search of, look no further than the hotel’s poolsides. The newest beachfront addition, Giacomo al Lago restaurant, marries the fabled fish dishes of Giacomo Milano with views of Lake Como's ever-changing scenes. Enjoy a light lunch of classic Italian favourites, or one of Giacomo's signature fish dishes right on the water. Be sure to order the restaurant's signature dish, the king crab spaghetti. You can thank me later.

Let’s not forget the breakfast - it’s a memorable and extravagant affair and is sure to be a highlight of your stay here. Guests dine on one of the hotel terraces, and choose what to eat from an incredible buffet laid out in the adjoining ballroom. Guests can choose from an array of pastries, cheeses, fruit, meats, and cereal - there’s everything and anything you could possibly want here. And if you fancy something warm, the chefs will happily whip up eggs, pancakes, and waffles.

WHAT TO KNOW

RATES: Rates usually include breakfast, free basic WiFi, valet parking, access to spa and all resort facilities including the beach and three pools.

CITY TAX: For stays from 1 April to 31 October a city tax of €4 a person, each day will be charged at check-out.

CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT: Noon and earliest check-in is 3pm, but flexible according to availability. Guests arriving early or departing late can use the facilities of the hotel free of charge; their baggage will be kept in the storage and they will be able to use the changing room.

PET FRIENDLY: Small pets are welcome (the room service menu includes a dog menu), just tell the hotel about your fluffy companion to get a bowl, dog bed and cover. Dogs are welcome everywhere in the hotel, except for the bars and restaurants, pool areas and the spa. In common areas of the hotel, dogs must be kept on a leash and supervised at all times. Dog walking and dog-sitting service can also be arranged.

CHILDREN: All ages welcome. The restaurants have children's menus. Some rooms can interconnect with suites. Baby cots and extra beds are free for kids under 12; €120 a night (plus VAT, with breakfast included) for those aged 13 and over.

WHAT TO PACK: Bring the boat shoes and a screen-siren-worthy scarf if you fancy zipping along across the lake in vintage style. Leave space for a bottle or two of wine in your luggage on the way home.

IS IT TRULY WORTH IT? More is more at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. If you can swing it—even if just for a night or two—you absolutely should. It will be a holiday you’ll never forget.

Visit https://www.grandhoteltremezzo.com/en/home/ to check their availability or visit their Instagram page @ghtremezzo.

I was hosted as a guest of Grand Hotel Tremezzo, however, all the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, my own.