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A Grand Hotel from the Very Beginning
There are hotels that have acquired their history over time, and then there are hotels that were designed to become part of it. Grand Hotel Tremezzo belongs to the latter category. When we arrived, our first impression was immediate: the grandeur of the building, its position on the lake and the unmistakable atmosphere of a traditional Italian grand hotel.
Opened on 10 July 1910, it was conceived as a luxury hotel from the outset, rather than being converted from a private villa. Enea and Maria Gandola created it after travelling through Europe and experiencing some of its finest hotels. Their ambition was to bring that international standard of hospitality to Lake Como. The property remains family-owned, with the De Santis family continuing its stewardship today.
The building has retained its early twentieth-century character remarkably well. The rooms are furnished in a classic grand-hotel style, with carefully maintained interiors and an attention to detail that feels appropriate to the history of the property. We particularly liked the colours: the hotel's bold orange, introduced around fifteen years ago, works beautifully against the white architecture, green gardens and the bright parasols around the pool. It is distinctive without overwhelming the setting.
The light during our visit was another highlight. The colours throughout the property felt vibrant yet mellow, even in the strong Como sunshine. We also noticed the remarkable coordination behind the scenes. The breakfast room was being transformed each day for the fine-dining restaurant, and the team managed this considerable amount of work without disturbing the atmosphere during our visit.
Choosing the Right Room and the Right View
Grand Hotel Tremezzo has 77 rooms and suites, with categories determined by both size and outlook. The principal choice is between lake view and park view, with different entry and deluxe categories within the room selection.
The lake views are spectacular. Looking across the water towards Bellagio and the surrounding mountains is one of the property's great pleasures. The alternative is the park side, which offers something rather different: instead of looking towards another building or a busy road, guests look out over the hotel's extensive botanical surroundings. There is a wonderful sense of green space and privacy here, particularly considering how developed parts of the Como shoreline have become.
Room position is important. We would recommend booking higher up wherever possible, especially for park-view rooms. The lower floors, particularly the first three, have more limited visibility towards the hillside. The first floor itself does not offer much of a view, although the hotel compensates with a large terrace.
There is also something rather charming about the traditional room keys. In a world where hotel access is increasingly managed through cards and phones, using a proper key feels entirely in keeping with the character of the building.
One detail that particularly impressed us was the attention given to maintaining the bathrooms. Gianluca explained that they are renewed every other year to keep them in excellent condition. It is an unusually demanding maintenance commitment, but it says a great deal about the standards the hotel wants to preserve.
Italian Hospitality, Gastronomy and the Lake
The welcome began outside. We appreciated the kindness of the valet team, who took care of the car and accompanied us to the lobby while we waited for our appointment with the sales team. The service from the valet and housekeeping staff was particularly warm.
We should also mention one observation from our visit. The hotel was approaching its seasonal closing date, and there was a noticeable amount of activity around the property. Some staff were preparing a film about the seasonal closure, and the general atmosphere felt busier than we had expected. It did interrupt the otherwise impressive sense of calm. We understand the timing, but guests looking for a particularly serene experience may find the atmosphere at a quieter property such as their sister-property Passalacqua more suitable.
Gastronomy is an important part of the experience. The hotel has five restaurants, each with its own menu and character. We would recommend reserving a table at the Italian bistro as well as the fine-dining restaurant. We found the latter's philosophy particularly interesting: the chef has chosen not to pursue Michelin recognition, believing strongly in the quality of the food itself. We appreciate that approach. In Robert's opinion, good cooking does not need an external distinction to establish its value.
Our small pre-lunch experience at Tremezzo, before continuing to its sister property Passalacqua for lunch, was handled with care. The classic porcelain and attentive staff made even this brief stop feel considered.
The hotel's wellness facilities are spread across three neighbouring houses dedicated to spa and wellbeing. The gardens and terraces also deserve time. We would encourage guests to explore the surrounding villages, the remarkable villas along the lake and the botanical gardens that make this part of Tremezzina so distinctive.
Who Should Choose Grand Hotel Tremezzo?
This is a hotel for travellers who want to experience the romance of the traditional Italian grand hotel. Its character is quite different from the more contemporary atmosphere of Mandarin Oriental or the intimate residential feeling of Passalacqua. Tremezzo is larger, more theatrical and unmistakably connected to the golden age of European lakeside hospitality.
We would particularly recommend it to couples, honeymooners and travellers over 50 who appreciate historic interiors, formal elegance and a sense of occasion. It is also a strong choice for guests who enjoy having several restaurants, gardens, terraces and wellness facilities within one property.
There is one geographical detail worth considering when choosing a room. Tremezzo sits on the western shore of Lake Como, with the hotel facing east across the water. This means the lake-facing rooms are particularly rewarding in the morning, when the sun rises over the lake. The mountains to the west can limit direct sunset views from the property. If watching the sun set over the water is an important part of the stay, we would favour Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio or Mandarin Oriental Villa Roccabruna on the eastern shore where we experienced memorable sunsets.
We also strongly recommend arriving by private boat taxi. The roads around the lake were built long before modern traffic, and congestion can become considerable during the high season. After a long overnight flight, being collected by boat and arriving directly at the hotel is a far more memorable introduction to Lake Como.
As a Virtuoso Preferred Hotel, Grand Hotel Tremezzo offers additional amenities and room upgrades subject to availability. The Como region is extremely popular, however, and the best room categories sell out quickly. We would therefore encourage clients to plan well ahead rather than rely on an upgrade becoming available at the last moment.
We have met the hotel team several times through the travel industry and have now experienced the property ourselves. That familiarity allows us to discuss room positioning and individual preferences with the team before our clients arrive. At a hotel where the difference between a lower park-view room and a higher one can be meaningful, that knowledge is useful.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo has managed to preserve something increasingly rare: the feeling of arriving at a great Italian hotel from another era, while maintaining the standards expected of a leading luxury property today.
Experience Grand Hotel Tremezzo with DeSalvio Travel
A stay at Grand Hotel Tremezzo deserves thoughtful planning. We can help you select the right room category and position, arrange private boat transfers and make the right restaurant reservations before arrival. As a Virtuoso Preferred Hotel, it also offers additional amenities and potential room upgrades subject to availability. Our first-hand visit means we can help match the property to the experience you want from Lake Como.
Marisa DeSalvio
CEO DeSalvio Travel
Travel design specialist
Adventure Travel Specialist
Asia/Pacific specialist
More impressions from Grand Hotel Tremezzo
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