Certainly, Lago di Como, the dazzlingly beautiful lake of the Italian north, with its vivid blue waters, the lush green nature that touches its shores, the admirable villas where its history has been written and its glamorous past remains alive, is not short of impressive accommodations. Classics such as the timelessly beloved by celebrities – from Greta Garbo to Taylor Swift – Grand Hotel Tremezzo, new resounding arrivals such as Passalacqua, which opened in 2022 and this year won the title of the world’s best hotel, or innovative concepts, such as Il Sereno, whose modernist architecture won much praise a few years ago, each uniquely capture the sense of luxury, cosmopolitan style and initiation into the enviable concept of Italian well-being.
Against this dreamlike backdrop, the dazzling Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como is not just another spectacular, ultra-luxurious hotel, but an eclectic blend of Italian elegance, oriental charm and breathtaking scenery, the equal of which is hard to find anywhere else. And it even has a bonus of the largest, floating infinity pool in the world – right on Lake Como, of course.
The location and revival of a historic mansion
The glamorous accommodation looks out over the eastern shore of the lake from the picturesque village of Blevio, not 5km from the center of Como, and an hour’s drive or lake cruise separates it from Bellagio, one of the most famous lakeside towns. Driving from Milan, the Mandarin Oriental is 45 minutes away. It has electric cars, motorbikes, and a private fleet of boats so that residents can discover the lake’s enchanting landscapes and villages on their own. If, of course, they manage to leave the setting of the former 19th century mansion once known as Villa Roccabruna and owned by the famous lyrical singer Giuditta Pasta. Legend has it that the great soprano so charmed her neighbour Vincenzo Bellini with her voice that he composed the piece “Casta Diva” from the opera Norma for her.
The romance remains pervasive even after the total renovation of the entire property was completed in 2019, just a year after it was acquired by the international hotel group Mandarin Oriental based in Hong Kong. Nestled amongst the centuries-old, lush botanical gardens and serene lakeside setting, its key feature is the elegance derived from the combination of authentic 19th century neoclassical villa elements, modern Italian decor and subtle oriental touches. But nothing compares to the captivating view of the magnificent lake, which almost every room of the hotel offers.
Accommodation with ultimate style
It’s not just the spacious terraces, piazzas and immaculate gardens that offer dreamy views, but also the 9 buildings in which the Mandarin Oriental’s 21 ultra-luxurious rooms, 52 suites and 2 private villas are spread across. They adopt soft earth tones to relax and not draw attention away from the view, which even the ground floor rooms enjoy from their balconies. As the hotel is west-facing, it enjoys more sunshine and even the most romantic sunsets.
Furniture is naturally bespoke, warm wood dresses bedrooms and living rooms, while marble enhances the sense of luxury in the spacious bathrooms with Diptyque cosmetics. Other touches that make the stay truly special include welcome treats – including freshly baked bread from a local bakery – and chocolates – a treat every night, not one for each resident but a whole box. As for the stunning Panoramic Suite, its vast terrace and the property’s only private pool are enough to rank it as a favorite haven for the most discerning globe-trotters.
Top gastronomy
Each of the hotel’s three dining venues has its own character, but with elegance and fine dining in common. More casually, CO.MO Bar & Bistrot is an Italian-style patio right on the lake, the perfect setting for the daily ritual of an afternoon aperitivo and pizza pop-up events when the weather is nice.
At L’Aria, patrons enjoy chef Massimiliano Blasone’s menu, which creatively marries classic Italian flavours with Asian influences, either indoors with large glass windows and sweeping lake views, or on the lovely terrace dining under the stars. And the NAMI Café by the stunning poolside serves healthy options and Asian comfort food along with frozen margaritas and banana daiquiris.
The Zen pools
Speaking of the stunning infinity pool that floats on the lake and was recently inaugurated, it is undoubtedly the pièce de résistance of Mandarin Oriental and the region in general. Designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, built in Finland and assembled in Italy, it is the largest of its kind in the world. It is so in harmony with the lake’s aquatic environment that even its dark local limestone finish is barely discernible, while the overall image successfully mimics the colours of Lago di Como, making it difficult to distinguish where the lake ends and the pool begins. And although its mechanism reduces the effect of the lake’s ripples, it follows the natural movement of the waters, giving the unique feeling of being on a boat.
The impressive Spa, the largest in the area, has its own almost cave-like pool, the ultimate destination for well-being, relaxation and rejuvenation. An indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, steam room, Himalayan salt inhalation room, a pool with ice water flowing continuously from the roof and a wonderfully Zen garden, create, like the whole environment of the Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como, the feeling of a precious and fairy-tale oasis of peace and disconnection from the real world.
