Lake Como's western shore — the so-called Riviera delle Azalee — has long been the lake's most sought-after address. And gazing across the water towards Bellagio's sparkling promontory, sits the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, an Art Nouveau palace built in 1910 and still family-owned today. Greta Garbo summered here and Clooney's been spotted on the terrace, but for all the celebrity connections, it's the personal warmth of the De Santis family that lingers longest. Five restaurants (including one honouring Italy's first three-Michelin-star chef), three pools and a Santa Maria Novella spa in an 18th-century villa make it rather difficult to leave.
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Spread across five floors of the original palace, the 77 rooms and suites are decorated in Liberty style with high ceilings, muted tones and period furnishings. Lake-view rooms are the ones to go for (garden-facing rooms look inland), and the named suites, including Suite Greta, an ode to Garbo, are lovely pieces of history. But it's the rooftop floor that steals the spotlight: six contemporary suites with private terraces, heated Jacuzzis and panoramas to die for. Throughout, marble bathrooms are stocked with custom Aqua Como products.
That floating pool. Heated and sitting right on the surface of the lake, it's the most photographed swim in Italy — and even better in person.
La Terrazza is the only restaurant in the world still serving Gualtiero Marchesi's legendary dishes. The gold-leaf saffron risotto is unmissable.
It's a sizeable property so if you're after something small and intimate, this isn't it.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Grand Hotel Tremezzo can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Italy trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Italy trips featuring Grand Hotel Tremezzo or get advice and suggestions from one of our Italy specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Grand Hotel Tremezzo start from around $940, or US$940, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Lakeside real estate, dreamy hotels and the epitome of the good life.
