Villa d’Este, Lago di Como

Villa d’Este sits on Via Regina, 40, a twenty-minute walk from the grounds of Villa Erba. The property overlooks the water, providing a retreat removed from the dense urban bustle found near the Como Cathedral.

Most hotels in the region prioritize either history or modern convenience, but Villa d’Este succeeds by ignoring the choice entirely. While the indoor pool and spa facilities cater to the same demands as the city’s newest boutique properties, the scale of the estate makes them feel essential rather than performative. Choosing this venue over the smaller hotels in the city center buys you sprawling grounds that simply do not exist within the town’s walls. It is a more deliberate way to experience the lakeside, trading the proximity to the Tempio Voltiano for the rare room to breathe.