100 Years Later, The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is Still the Jewel of Lake Como
Photos Credit: Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Twin sweeping stone entrance stairways hug either side of at Grand Hotel Tremezzo,
and a vintage walnut-paneled elevator offers panoramic views over Lake
Como, making your arrival to the five-star property nothing less than
enchanting. The immediate sense of romantic, old world charm is fully
realized as the elevator doors slide open on to the second floor lobby.
The
reception area is decorated with paintings, decorative ceilings, red
velvet sofas, elegant curtains and glistening marble floor and pillars.
This 76-room, 14-suite hotel is the grand dame of this rugged region of
northern Italy, with an illustrious history dating back to 1910. Then,
Europe's elites were in the habit of embarking on annual months-long
European grand tours, and the hotel attracted wealthy guests from all
over the world. During the First World War it was turned into a military
hospital, before being purchased by the Sampietro family in the 1930s,
who returned it to its celebrity-approved status. Among its guests was
actress Greta Garbo who now has a suite named in her honor, Number 113.
Last
year, owner and CEO Valentina De Santis supervised a multi-million euro
renovation which included updates to the suites and the transformation
of the 18th century Villa Emilia into the new 10,763-square-foot T Spa
operated in partnership with ESPA-UK. The facility was designed by
studio Venelli Kramer who were also responsible for the rooftop suites
and the indoors infinity pool. The three-floor complex is comprised of
five treatment rooms with warm wooden cladding, teak timber floors,
handcrafted wood furnishings made by Italian artisan workshops, a Hamman
and nail bar.
Our
room featured soft cotton, silks and velvets in turquoise tones, framed
oval-shaped sketches and an attractive rococo-style bed board that made
you feel like you were stepping back in time. The open-air balcony,
large enough for two chairs, looks out onto the Grigne Mountains and the
town of Bellagio, known as the Pearl of Lake Como.
A
buffet breakfast is served in the glass-fronted La Terrazza facing the
lake, and comes with items such as six types of honey, local cheeses and
meats and five types of teas, ranging from Lapsang Souchong to white.
There is also a chef on-hand to prepare made-to-order eggs. Under the
direction of Italian chef, Gualtiero Marchesi and Executive Chef,
Osvaldo Presazzi, the dinner menu at La Terazza is wide-ranging with
more than 30 choices available. The L'Escale Fondue and Wine Bar is a
more informal option, and weather permitting, pizza is served in the
garden while barbecues take place on the lakeshore beach. The T bar is a
candle-lit lounge perfect for sunset-watching cocktails or seeing
moonlight glistening on the water with a basil mojito.
In
terms of activities, aside from its spa, gym and swimming pools, the
hotel also organizes art classes, lake excursions on its restored 1961
Venetian Lancia motor boat and yoga sessions. Tennis lovers have access
to the clay court just beyond the outdoor heated pool. The garden itself
is worth noting, consisting of over 215,000 square feet of bosky
pathways, topiary and crew-cut vines. Traipsing along its main pathway
up a hillside you’ll be rewarded with wonderful lake views and a meeting
with Bobo the Bear, the hotel’s mascot gazing serenely over his domain.
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo provides a central location for short trips around the lake with a rental car.
We drove to the town of Donga, to visit a little war museum focusing on
the intriguing capture of Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini at
the end of the Second World War and crossed the lake to the quaint town
of Bellagio for some shopping.
The
service at Grand Hotel Tremezzo is efficient, warm and personable, and
staff seemed to remember the names of all guests. In turn, handwritten
cards were delivered with nightly turn-down service, a nod to the
property’s sense of hospitality. It’s clear why the property is a
favorite among locals and guests alike.
Sean Hillen
Sean Hillen has been an international journalist and editor for
more than 30 years and is also a published author.
His experience spans several continents - in Ireland, for the national
daily, The Irish Times in England, as foreign correspondent for The
Times and Daily Telegraph. In the US, Sean worked at the United Nations
Media Center in New York, Scripps Howard Broadcasting and regional new
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