Book the Villa d Este with VIP Benefits

The Villa d Este, a prime member of the Leading Hotels of the World, graces this scene as it has done for centuries. Lake Como is a beautiful and serene lake at the foot of the Alps in northern Italy.

Overview

Ornate, wealthy, and set in gorgeous Italian renaissance gardens, this 16th-century villa has hosted nobility and royalty. Politicians, socialites, and intellectuals over generations have also come here.

Constructed in 1550 by Pirro Ligorio for Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este (Governor of Tivoli in 1550 and son of Lucrezia Borgia), Villa d Este still attracts VIPs worldwide, including from the United States. However, with its long tradition of dedicated and warm staff, every guest is made to feel welcome and cosseted.

Location

Lake Como Villa has a glorious lakefront setting amid 25 acres of parkland and gardens. This UNESCO World Heritage site is 15 minutes from the town of Como, noted for its Renaissance architecture.

Moreover, Milan Malpensa International Airport is 40 minutes away by car. There is also Lugano airport which is only a 20-minutes drive away. Train connections also run from Milan to Como.

History and Features

This magnificent palatial villa was once the summer residence of Cardinal Gallio. The Cardinal commissioned famed architect Pellegrino Tibaldi to design a new building to replace a demolished convent on the same site.

It was completed with the lush surrounding gardens and the Viale delle Cento Fontane (avenue of 100 fountains) between 1565 and 1570. Gian Lorenzo Bernini designed the fountain which is a masterpiece by hydraulic engineers. Many changes of ownership, refurbishments, and recent modernizations have allowed the property to remain one of the most celebrated accommodations in the world.

Queen Caroline, the estranged wife of future English King George 1V, loved the villa and Anglicized the gardens today filled with delicate carvings. The Cardinal and the Queen are commemorated in the Cardinal Building and Queen's Pavilion, housing luxury guest rooms.

The villa was converted into a deluxe hotel in 1873. Today it has won awards and accolades, including a Conde Nast Traveler's Readers Choice recommendation.

Rooms and Suites

The 152 rooms are approached through corridors of lavish furnishings and vaulted ceilings supported on marble pillars. They also drip with Murano chandeliers which also light the sweeping staircases.

Moreover, some have garden or lake/marina views and traditional period décor with antiques, fine art, luxurious velvet, silk-brocade fabrics, and deep carpeting. A lovely palette of color also reflects the blues of the lake with washes of primrose and apricot and deeper crimson/gold in some individually designed rooms.

Additionally, those above the central axis of the gardens tastefully adapt color tones of peach and green to echo the vistas. Besides, bathrooms are luxurious with marble finishing.

Modern amenities include air conditioning, a mini-bar flat-screen TV, and Wi-Fi. Somewhat surprisingly, but happily, you can take pets in rooms.

Suites

The suites have all the abundant features of the rooms with more space. Besides, there are separate living rooms, dining areas, balconies, or terraces. Most feature-rich blues are lavish fabrics, while others have a deep cardinal red/gold design.

The resort also has four grand individual villas within the lush European gardens for ultimate luxury and privacy. Villa Cima is beautifully situated right on the shores of Lake Como, while Villa Malakoff is slightly elevated with fine lake views.

Villa Garrovo nestles among the trees in the park, and the extraordinary Mosaic House sits in its mosaic garden. Romantic interiors in pastel shades feature every comfort, while outside has a terrace and a lake vista.

Restaurant and Dining

The restaurants and bars at the hotel sit delightfully for guests to enjoy the lovely surroundings and fine food fully.

La Veranda has a bank of full-length windows retractable to open up to the breezes in warm weather. On summer evenings, diners can take a table on the terrace. The dishes are classic Italian with some international additions. Moreover, this is a classy restaurant where dressing for dinner is de rigueur.

The Grill has a more casual atmosphere, glorious views, and dining under centennial trees in the garden in fine weather. Regional dishes and Mediterranean specialties are available.

Il Platano is an informal but chic restaurant with an attractive terrace. A lavish breakfast spread is available on the Veranda or taken in-room. Children's menus and special diets are also available.

Bars

One of the hotel's most notable features is the floating swimming pool set in the lake waters. Bathers can enjoy snacks, light meals, and cocktails at the Sundeck bar alongside this iconic feature.

Furthermore, the Canova bar is a gorgeous blue lounge. It is an ideal place for coffee, tea, or light meals and refreshing drinks. Additionally, Saturday evenings by the lakeside in summer offer the additional delight of orchestral music at the Terrazza Bar and d'Este Club.

The Beauty Center

Dark and relaxing, deep green marble, soothing massages, facials, and whole wellness therapies. Peeling, microabrasion, regeneration treatments, and a softly swishing waterfall background offer a revitalizing experience.

Sports and Activities

The Sports Club has well-equipped gym equipment, personal trainers, and exercise sessions along the Beauty Center. In addition, there are saunas, a Turkish bath, steam rooms, a Kneipp path (for women), and an indoor pool. A golf simulator and other facilities are also available to hotel guests.

Outside, children have their pool. There are also 8 tennis courts, a golf putting green, and hiking courses across the gardens. Watersports on the lake include sailing and windsurfing, kayaking, and canoeing. The Villa d Este Golf Club is some 8 miles away for serious golfers.

Children

Children are welcomed with toys, games, and coloring books. Apart from the kid's pool, there is also a putting green for the young guests, special bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries. A junior club also runs in the summer season.

Meetings and Events

The hotel has exceptional meeting rooms lavishly decorated in vibrant blues, gold, and white to match the beauty of the surroundings. Modern business facilities and technologies, plus immaculate service and catering, are as expected in this 5-star luxury hotel.

Takeaway

The Italian Lakes are some of the finest destinations in a country famous for its historic cities with Renaissance art treasures and incredible coastal scenery. Azure seas wash the shores on three sides, but there are the Alps and the Lakes to the north. Visitors may feel spoilt for choice. However, the Villa d Este, which gives a magnificent view of Lake Como, will undoubtedly not disappoint.