Passalacqua, Lake Como

Why Stay Here?

• 01

  Passalacqua is one of Lake Como’s most spectacular private villas and a destination in itself, following three years of restoration. Standing above the village of Moltrasio, just minutes from the city of Como, it is surrounded by 7 acres of terraced gardens, sweeping down to the lake’s shore. This extraordinary 18th century villa is steeped in history, having played host to some of the world’s most brilliant minds in music, literature, art and politics from Napoleon Bonaparte to Bellini to Winston Churchill.  

• 02

  Sister property to the lake’s iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Passalacqua is a passion project of the De Santis family – one of Italy’s leading hoteliers. Their aim was to bring the mansion and its beautiful park back to life with love, respect and thoughtfulness recreating the unique timeless charm of ‘vivere Italiano’. Every aspect of the property’s interiors including the meticulous restoration of the frescoes, handblown glass chandeliers to mirrored secret mini bars, has been personally overseen and curated.

• 03

  24 rooms and suites are set within the grand Italian-style historic villa, the ancient stately Palazz and the garden-inspired Casa al Lago located right on the lake, including the largest suite on Lake Como spanning over 3,000 sq.ft with a double height balustraded music room where Bellini used to play his piano. Each of the suites are individually designed with their own distinctive character and charm, with hand-chosen details featuring meticulously restored frescos, spectacular high ceilings, Verona-sourced marble bathrooms and stunning views of the gardens or shimmering lake.  

• 04

  Passalacqua offers guests a relaxed ‘home away from home’ approach to dining, being treated to authentic and simple Italian home cooking, using fresh seasonal ‘garden to table’ ingredients. Guests are encouraged to visit the open kitchen to learn about and discuss their menu for the day or partake in an ad hoc pasta making session. They are also invited to collect freshly laid eggs from the chicken shed and forage for fruit in the fruit garden. The estate is home to an ancient olive grove, where the oil has been pressed for generations. Dining is an extremely personalised experience, with a choice of settings inside the property under vaulted ceilings with lake views, on one of the terraces, in the Rose Garden, among the olive groves or down by the lake – tables can be set up accordingly.

• 05

  The vast majestic, terraced gardens which overlook Lake Como feature private hideaways, more than 15 enchanting fountains and beautifully maintained centuries old trees. They feature a romantic rose garden, a vegetable garden and an antique orchard, a stunning heated swimming pool and lakeside tennis court, in addition to a private dock with the hotel’s vintage boats, in which guests can explore the lake in style. Guests can relax with a Dr Barbara Sturm treatment or in the sauna and steam baths of the underground thermal area, play a round of tennis or bocce, exercise at the state-of-the-art gym, join a yoga session or watch a film under the stars during warmer months.