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Villa d’Este has occupied its enviable position on the western shore of Lake Como for centuries, first as a private residence and, since the late 19th century, as one of the lake’s landmark hotels. Its Cernobbio setting brings together historic buildings, extensive gardens and a waterfront integral to the stay.
There is plenty within the estate to fill a few days at an easy pace. Breakfast can lead into a morning by the floating pool, lunch overlooking the lake and an afternoon on the water, before dinner brings a more polished change of pace. It is a Lake Como stay rooted in tradition, with enough choice to be as leisurely or active as preferred.
A Grand Hotel Shaped by Five Centuries
The estate dates to the 16th century, when Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio commissioned a residence on the site. It passed through several owners before becoming a hotel in 1873, and much of that history remains visible today.
Accommodation is principally divided between the Cardinal Building and Queen’s Pavilion, surrounded by gardens extending towards the lake. Inside, antique furnishings, marble, silk and classical detailing establish the hotel’s traditional character. Outside, fountains, terraces and mature planting lead through the grounds, with the Mosaic and its nymphaeum and arcaded structure among the estate’s most recognisable features.
Staying at Villa d’Este
For the greatest privacy, the four standalone villas are the natural place to begin. Villa Cima sits directly beside the lake with four bedrooms, while the larger six-bedroom Villa Garrovo works particularly well for families and groups. Villa Malakoff occupies an elevated position overlooking the gardens, Cernobbio and Lake Como. Mosaic House is the most intimate, with one suite, a living room, kitchen and private terrace in a quieter part of the park.
The hotel’s leading suites offer a similar sense of occasion within the main buildings. The 108-square-metre Cardinal Suite occupies the first floor of the Cardinal Building, with a large terrace facing the lake. The Presidential Suites also enjoy lake and garden views, with generous living spaces suited to longer stays.
The wider selection includes the 65 to 75-square-metre Suite and 70-square-metre Executive Suite, the latter overlooking the park with partial lake views. Junior Suite Lake View Deluxe rooms have balconies facing the water, while Junior Suite Lake View and Junior Suite Exclusive provide further choices of outlook and space.
Rooms continue the hotel’s traditional aesthetic. Deluxe and Deluxe Superior categories make the most of the setting, Executive Rooms face the gardens and Classic Rooms overlook the Renaissance courtyard. Interiors vary between rooms, making location and outlook worth considering alongside category.
Dining Overlooking Lake Como
Dining at Villa d’Este changes character throughout the day. Veranda is its grandest expression, occupying a prime position in the Cardinal Building overlooking the gardens, Mosaic and lake. Retractable glass walls open towards the terrace in suitable weather, while Executive Chef Andrea Guerini oversees an Italian menu shaped by seasonal ingredients and supported by the hotel’s extensive wine cellar.
Grill is more relaxed. Close to the Queen’s Pavilion, with tables beneath the trees when weather allows, it centres on meat, fish and Mediterranean cooking in a less formal setting.
Il Platano takes a different direction, approaching Mediterranean ingredients and Italian culinary traditions through Japanese techniques and wider international influences. Its lakeside terrace adds to the appeal on warm evenings.
Beside the floating pool, Sundeck serves hotel guests light lunches and drinks overlooking the water. Later, Bar Canova is well placed for an aperitif or after-dinner cocktail, while the Greenhouse offers a quieter winter-garden setting for drinks and all-day dining when open.
Wellness and Sport by the Lake
Wellness at Villa d’Este fits easily into the day. The Beauty Center in the Cardinal Building offers massages, facials and body treatments alongside specialist skincare.
For something more active, the Sporting Club includes a gym, tennis courts, indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, squash and outdoor Jacuzzi, with personal training and tennis coaching available.
The floating pool inevitably draws the most attention. Reached by a walkway and positioned directly over Lake Como, it offers the unusual experience of swimming above the lake in a heated pool. Canoeing, SUP and water-skiing provide more active ways to get onto the water.
Away from the hotel, Villa d’Este Golf Club has an 18-hole, par-69 course in the wooded surroundings of Montorfano, offering a marked change of scenery from the lakefront estate.
Lake Como from the Water
A boat trip feels particularly natural at Villa d’Este, with the lake immediately beyond the gardens. The Riva Aquarama Tour is the classic choice, taking up to five guests onto the water aboard the mahogany runabout closely associated with Lake Como.
Vintage Vaporina and Vaporina tours offer a more traditional style of cruising, while the E-Next provides a contemporary alternative. Tullio Abbate boats are also available, creating an unusually broad choice of craft for exploring the lake.
On land, Vintage Car Tours and Vespa Tours offer a leisurely way to explore the surrounding roads and villages, while the Supercar Tour provides a more performance-focused option. Helicopter Tours offer a broader perspective over the landscape, and hiking, trekking and cycling can be arranged for those keen to explore the surrounding countryside.
Experiences Within the Estate
Some of Villa d’Este’s most enjoyable experiences require no excursion at all. Cooking classes explore Italian traditions, with The Art of Fresh Pasta offering a hands-on introduction to pasta making. Wine Tastings draw on the hotel’s cellar, while Cocktail Classes turn attention to the bar.
Yoga and Meditation, Pilates and Tai Chi complement the Beauty Center and Sporting Club, while a picnic on board pairs time on the lake with a leisurely meal.
The gardens need no organised activity. Terraces, fountains, woodland and formal landscaping provide plenty of room for a walk after breakfast or a quiet hour between lunch and dinner. Despite the breadth of facilities, there are still corners of the estate that feel removed from the main hotel.
Hospitality with a Sense of Tradition
Villa d’Este retains more formality than many contemporary resorts, and that remains central to its character. Evening dining at Veranda comes with a sense of occasion, while the public rooms, gardens and style of service reflect the traditions of a longstanding European grand hotel.
The concierge can arrange excursions and experiences, with private boat and limousine transfers also available and a helipad on the estate. Guests staying in the private villas can arrange an in-house chef, allowing for greater privacy when preferred.
This approach suits travellers who enjoy traditional hospitality and appreciate dressing for dinner as much as an afternoon beside the lake. Villa d’Este has retained that identity rather than adopting a more casual interpretation of luxury.
A Historic Base on Lake Como
Much of Villa d’Este’s appeal lies in how easily the days unfold. There is enough within the estate to linger for long stretches, while boats, scenic drives and excursions put the rest of Lake Como within easy reach.
The private villas and leading suites bring privacy and space, while the floating pool, waterfront dining and choice of boats keep the lake central to the stay. Together with the gardens and longstanding traditions, they make Villa d’Este one of the most complete expressions of grand-hotel life on Lake Como.
Location: Via Regina, 40, 22012 Cernobbio, Como, Italy
