Dream villa

Passalacqua, the luxury boutique hotel on the shores of Lake Como, took the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Hotels list in 2023.

01 April 2024

Topping the list of the World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2023, Passalacqua, on the shore of Lake Como, Italy is an opulent 18th-century aristocrat’s home that has been transformed into a unique hotel.

Its 24 characterful guest accommodations are spread across three magnificently restored edifices, surrounded by seven acres of landscaped gardens that descend to a private jetty.

The hotel, restaurant and gardens are open exclusively to Passalacqua guests – as is the bright orange Spiaggina, the oh-so-cute vintage open-top Fiat 500 that whisks guests around the property.

An hour’s drive from Milan, Italy’s fashion and design hub, and 15 minutes from the lively, cultured town of Como, Passalacqua embodies Lake Como’s relaxed yet stylish lifestyle, and the intimate, one-to-one service culture of its historic villas.

Connected to Lake Como for generations, the De Santis family are owners of the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo. In 2018, they acquired Villa Passalacqua and set about bringing the historic residence back to life with love, respect and an unwavering attention to detail.

The orange Fiat Spiaggina used for guest transport is just one of the highlights of the Passalacqua experience.

Passalacqua embodies Lake Como’s relaxed yet stylish lifestyle.

Its 24 characterful guest accommodations are spread across three magnificently restored edifices.

Passalacqua has adopted a unique approach to dining, one that allows guests to embrace the country’s vibrant gastronomic culture just as they would if they were staying in the house of an Italian friend.

The spa occupies a world apart in the Palazzo. With soaring vaults and romantic columns, this wellness space is designed to nurture the body and make the spirit soar.

Melding Como country style with a touch of decadent mystique, the lounge and treatment rooms pay homage to a golden age of travel and relaxation. While deep beneath the ground is Passalacqua’s sauna and steam bath, set within the vaulted stone chamber that is the gallery’s most atmospheric feature.

Then there are yoga and meditation, and for fitness enthusiasts, one of the most scenic gyms the lake can offer. Fitted with the latest equipment, it runs the length of a former greenhouse and spills out into the olive grove beyond, for the ultimate workout-with-a-view.

For its core spa range, they turned to Seed to Skin Tuscany, a Tuscan skincare line that harnesses the power of Green Molecular Science to ensure visible results on all skin types.

Massages and facials are at the heart of a spa menu that takes its cue from Lake Como’s timeless ability to relax, revitalise and bring back that rosy glow of health.

passalacqua.it/en

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