Overlooking Lake Como for more than four centuries, Villa d’Este embodies one of the most recognizable symbols of Italian hospitality. Yet to reduce it to a luxury hotel would be an understatement: behind its stately façade lies a carefully curated culinary and wine experience that accompanies guests from breakfast through dinner, culminating in visits to one of Europe’s finest wine cellars.
Some hotels are defined by their rooms and the distinguished guests who have stayed there. Others through the views that have made them famous worldwide. Villa d’Este belongs to a rarer category: that of places that seem to exist in a dimension all their own, where time moves at a different pace and every element—a garden, a terrace, a bottle stored in the cellar—contributes to a larger narrative. Today, that historic building where it all began is a complex, multi-layered destination, capable of bringing together architecture, landscape, haute cuisine, and one of Europe’s most impressive private wine collections. Tradition holds that Lake Como is the primary protagonist of Villa d’Este, with its natural setting having given rise to the collection over the years. But the second protagonist, of whom too little is spoken, is discovered much later. It lies underground, amid silent corridors and thousands of bottles preserved like works of art.
The long history of a residence that has become a “modern legend”
The history of Villa d’Este begins in 1568, when Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio commissioned architect Pellegrino Tibaldi to build a residence designed to dominate the lake. The villa was originally an aristocratic residence and has spanned centuries of Italian and European history, hosting nobles, diplomats, members of royal families, and leading figures in international culture. The decisive transformation came in 1873, when the residence was converted into a Grand Hotel. It was the beginning of a new life. From that moment on, Villa d’Este became a must-see stop on the Grand Tour and one of the absolute benchmarks of the international hotel industry.
Many historic hotels end up becoming museums of their own past. Villa d’Este has chosen a different path. It has preserved its heritage without ceasing to evolve. Frescoed halls coexist with contemporary amenities, Renaissance architecture harmonizes with a modern approach to hospitality, and the ten hectares of historic gardens continue to offer one of the most spectacular settings on Lake Como. Today, the property serves as the centerpiece of Villa d’Este La Collezione, a project that brings together various Italian hospitality establishments, from Villa La Massa in Florence to Palazzo Venezia in Como, all united by a shared commitment to a precise vision of Italian excellence.
The hotel: elegance without ostentation
Some hotels impress with their opulence. Villa d’Este captivates with the natural ease with which its opulence blends into the landscape. The Murano chandeliers, the stucco work, the monumental staircases, the terraces overlooking the lake, and the geometric gardens seem to belong to another era. Yet nothing appears static. There is a surprising lightness in the way the property embodies its luxury. The 151 rooms, distributed between the Edificio del Cardinale and the Padiglione della Regina, are all unique, while four independent villas offer an even more exclusive experience.
Then there is the famous floating pool on the lake, probably one of the hotel’s most recognizable features. Over the years, it has become almost as iconic as the villa’s façade itself. Surrounding it is a range of amenities that includes tennis courts, nature trails, water sports, a spa, and an array of experiences designed to enhance the guest’s stay far beyond a simple hotel stay. But what truly makes this place unique is its relationship with the landscape. The lake is not merely a backdrop. It is a constant presence. It streams in through the windows, reflects in the halls, accompanies every meal, and continually alters the perception of the spaces.
The Kitchen: Andrea Guerini and the Story of the Region
In recent years, Villa d’Este’s culinary offering has undergone a process of renewal that is now epitomized by Executive Chef Andrea Guerini. After gaining extensive professional experience in Italy and abroad, Guerini has taken the helm of a team of over sixty chefs, coordinating a culinary program that encompasses all the gastronomic facets of the property. His cuisine avoids any form of virtuosity for its own sake. The starting point is always the raw ingredient. Lake fish, exceptional Italian products, strict adherence to seasonality, and techniques designed to enhance rather than transform. It is a philosophy that clearly shines through in the hotel’s various dining venues.
La Veranda is the most elegant part of the restaurant. The large windows overlooking the lake and the outdoor terrace create one of the most charming dining rooms in Italy. Here, the cuisine takes on a classic-contemporary character, deeply rooted in Italian tradition yet open to international influences. Il Grill, on the other hand, offers a more relaxed atmosphere. In the summer, guests dine in the shade of centuries-old trees, enjoying grilled meats, fish, and dishes that embody conviviality in a more direct way.
Il Platano is the most contemporary dining option on the entire property. Here, Mediterranean cuisine blends with Japanese and international influences on a terrace overlooking the lake, making every dinner an immersive experience. Rounding out the offerings are the Canova Bar, a decades-long staple for aperitifs on Lake Como, and the Sundeck, where the boundary between dining and the landscape seems to dissolve during the summer season.
The real treasure lies underground
While the façade of Villa d’Este is the image everyone recognizes, the cellar is likely its best-kept secret. Over the past four years, the estate has invested heavily in developing a project that now openly aims to transform Villa d’Este into a true international wine destination. The project bears the signature of Alex Bartoli, Group Wine Director of the Collezione. Born in 1993, with training in Italy, London, and some of the most important gastronomic establishments on the European scene, Bartoli has built one of the most impressive collections in the world of hospitality today. The numbers tell only part of the story.
In 2022, the cellar housed approximately 300 labels. Today, the collection exceeds 15,000 wines and 200,000 bottles, making it one of the most significant wine collections housed within a European hotel. But the greatness of this project lies not only in its size. It lies in its depth. It lies in its ability to tell the story of wine through time. Fifty percent of the selection is dedicated to Italy. The rest spans France, Spain, Germany, California, Australia, and New Zealand, building a liquid archive that goes far beyond a simple wine list. Here, great classics and emerging producers coexist, alongside rare labels and bottles that the market has not yet turned into speculative items. Some vertical tastings take on almost museum-like proportions.
Over 120 vintages of Château d’Yquem, including a perfectly preserved bottle from 1893. One hundred vintages of Château Mouton Rothschild. One hundred vintages of Château Lafite Rothschild, including a bottle from 1878. Sassicaia 1962 and 1967. Gaja Barbaresco dating back to 1964. Soldera Brunello di Montalcino dating back to 1982. Torte Pergole dating back to 1978. Even a 2000 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet in a six-liter format. Walking among these shelves means traversing over a century of global wine history. This is not simply about collecting. It is about preserving memory. About safeguarding the wine heritage. About a vision that considers wine a cultural asset even before it is a product.
When Wine Becomes an Experience
Villa d’Este understands that a great winery cannot simply store bottles; it must tell their stories. That is why, in recent years, guided tastings, gatherings for collectors, Wine Dinners, and itineraries curated directly by Alex Bartoli have been introduced. These experiences are designed to transform wine into a living narrative, accessible to both enthusiasts and industry professionals. The goal is clear: to ensure that a visit to Villa d’Este does not end with the view of the lake, but continues through the vintages, the terroirs, and the stories preserved within the bottles. And it is perhaps here that Villa d’Este reveals its most contemporary side. Because luxury today is no longer defined solely by rarity. It is defined by knowledge.
With the ability to preserve the essence of time. With the ability to offer an experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Lake Como is home to many historic residences. There are spectacular hotels, excellent restaurants, and unforgettable views. Villa d’Este continues to stand out because it manages to bring all of this together. And because, beneath its Renaissance gardens and legendary terraces, it holds something even more precious than its walls: one of Europe’s most extraordinary liquid libraries.
Villa d’Este La Collezione: a constellation of Italian hospitality
Villa d’Este, however, now represents much more than a single destination. In recent years, the property has shaped a broader project, Villa d’Este La Collezione, a galaxy of properties united by the same vision of hospitality: preserving places with a strong historical identity and transforming them into contemporary experiences without altering their soul.
Villa d’Este’s closest sister property is undoubtedly Villa La Massa, just outside Florence. An ancient residence dating back to the 13th century, nestled in a centuries-old park on the banks of the Arno, it embodies the Tuscan interpretation of luxury within the collection. Here, the pace is different from that of Lake Como: more intimate, more secluded, punctuated by vineyards, olive groves, and the Florentine countryside surrounding the property. The suites overlooking the river, the Italian gardens, and the proximity to Florence’s historic center have made Villa La Massa a favorite retreat for international travelers seeking an authentic and discreet experience. The collection then expanded with Palazzo Venezia, an elegant 19th-century residence overlooking Piazza Cavour in the center of Como. A property that interprets the concept of urban hospitality through a different aesthetic than the grandeur of Villa d’Este. Here, the experience unfolds amidst historic architecture, panoramic rooftops, and a privileged location that allows guests to experience the lake and the city with equal intensity. Palazzo Venezia represents the most contemporary facet of the collection, catering to an international audience seeking to immerse themselves in Como’s atmosphere without sacrificing the amenities of high-end hospitality.
Joining these properties is Miralago Luxury Apartments, a residential project born from the renovation of the historic Hotel Miralago in Cernobbio. Here, the concept of a stay takes on yet another form: luxury apartments designed for those who desire the independence of a private home combined with the exclusive services of Villa d’Este. A new way to experience Lake Como—more private, more flexible, yet always rooted in the standards that have made the brand famous worldwide. The collection’s vision also continues to look toward the future. Major restoration projects have already been announced, including Villa Belinzaghi, a historic neoclassical residence adjacent to Villa d’Este, set to become a new destination dedicated to wellness and hospitality, and the relaunch of the Hotel Regina Olga in Cernobbio, another symbol of hospitality on the lake poised to enter a new era.
Contact
Villa D'Este
Via Regina, 40, 22012 Cernobbio CO
Phone: 031 3481
