When people ask me when my favorite time to travel in Italy is, I unvaryingly say one of the shoulder seasons – preferably Fall. October is considered part of Italy’s Fall shoulder season, which often means lower prices on airfare and accommodations, and without the headache of the Summer crowds. One of my favorite spots in Italy to visit? Hands down, Lake Como tops the list. Boasting over a century of ageless allure and timeless Italian traditions, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, located on Lake Como, is a symbol of Italian luxury and top-notch hospitality. Lake Como is around an hour away by car from Milan’s Malpensa International Airport and less than two hours away from the Milan city center.
Open since 1910, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of Lake Como’s finest and most storied in the region. Located in the heart of Lake Como on the western shore, with unparalleled views of the vast lake, the Grand offers the delights of a 5-star luxury holiday. From the second you enter the historic hotel, you are immediately immersed in the property’s classic glamour and an atmosphere of absolute elegance. It is simply heaven on Earth in one of Italy's most desirable and romantic locations.
With around 100 windows overlooking either the beautiful blue waters of the lake in the front or the flowering greenery of the park in the back, the hotel boasts 76 rooms and 14 suites, which are adorned in a majestic décor, including jewel-toned fabrics, antique writing desks and damask curtains. In 2012, the Grand completed a multi-million-dollar overhaul of the top floor creating rooftop suites that include a more modern aesthetic (some including lake-view Jacuzzis) and private butler service. Whichever room category you choose, you will be infused with a sense of place and marveled by this Lake Como icon.
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo boasts a wealth of amenities including three Instagram-worthy pools, a luxurious Espa with five treatment rooms, a Hamman and a nail bar, a lush park including a floodlit clay tennis court and an impressive hiking path. The hotel also has a very strong focus on food at its five award-winning restaurants, including the L’Escale Fondue and Wine Bar.
Breakfast at the resort is served at La Terrazza (also the upscale main restaurant on the property), which features brightly colored orange awnings overlooking the sparkling silver waters and boasts one of the most incredible buffets I’ve ever witnessed. From the make-your-own mimosa bar with impressive fruit mix-ins offered with a choice of Prosecco or sparkling rosé, to the towers of perfectly plated pastries, to the marvelous meats and cheese selection, there’s an abundance of opulence… and you shouldn’t be disappointed by blowing your entire carb allotment on the croissants here.
Other memorable meals in the region include La Fagurida, a cozy family-run restaurant, where the rabbit and asparagus are not-to-be-missed items on the menu. Then there’s the Casa Del Portico. This past season, the husband-wife duo behind this bed and breakfast opened up a charming restaurant that serves all locally sourced and homegrown items. Think slices of perfectly ripe tomatoes and basil harvested in the owners’ garden… ripe figs from their fig tree… and the most wonderful and decadent homemade desserts that one could ever dream of. Last but certainly not least, a visit to Al Veluu is definitely worth it. Dine al fresco on the starlit terrace and take the owner’s recommendations for their seasonal specials. These restaurants are within a ten-minute drive from the property but are not easily accessible by foot, all being situated on top of a hill. The hotel’s concierge can book you a private car transfer to and from these restaurants.
You could easily spend a full Lake Como day rotating between the Grand’s three breathtaking pools. First there’s the water-on-water floating pool on the lake which is located in very close proximity to the T Beach Champagne bar and two rows of perfectly situated sun chairs on a small strip of sand. After hours of going between the lake, the floating pool and the beach bar, you should head up to the Flowers Pool surrounded by 100-year-old- gardens. If all that sunning and swimming activates your appetite, the T Pizza Restaurant has a wood-fired pizza oven in the garden where you can enjoy a personal pie overlooking the majestic mountains and fabulous flora. Last, but certainly not least, end your day at the adults-only indoor infinity pool, which is heated and directly connected to the T Spa. The infinity pool area has a panoramic glass-enclosed relaxation lounge overlooking the lake.
Should you choose to leave the comforts of the palace grounds, excursions off property include visiting the terracotta-colored town of Bellagio, which is located just across the water and is reachable via a 15-minute ferry from the neighboring Villa Carlotta. Speaking of which, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is in close proximity to Villa Balbianello, which can be seen in Casino Royale, as well asStar Wars II: Attack of the Clones,and Villa Carlotta, which is open to the public and hosts public jazz concerts all throughout the summer. Of course, you can also enjoy a private chartered boat tour of the lake, including views and narration of the legendary villas of Lago di Como.
The Grand’s setting is indisputably one of Italy’s most prestigious and well-situated (and of course picturesque) corners on the lake. As I departed the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, I understood the emotional feeling one gets after visiting Lake Como’s dramatic hillsides and serene shores, already yearning for a trip back to the region and this special property. There’s still time to book a hotel reservation before November, when the hotel closes down for the winter season, or book your stay well in advance for next year (http://www.grandhoteltremezzo.com).
