Passalacqua might have burst onto the scene with all the fanfare you’d expect for a newcomer, but it has nothing on the longstanding reputation of classics like the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. This family-owned gem has been welcoming the elite, from Greta Garbo to Taylor Swift, for over a century. And let’s not forget Il Sereno, Lago di Como, which stole the spotlight a few years back with its modernist design by Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola.
But after just three nights at the Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como, even the most skeptical guest would be hard-pressed to argue against its place among the world’s finest. Nestled in Blevio, this property managed to sweep away any lingering doubts about its status as a top-tier luxury destination.
The author arrived in early June, fresh off the heels of a honeymoon filled with all the splendor coastal Italy could offer—Capri’s beach clubs and the breathtaking views from Ravello. Next stop was the South of France, and after being pampered to the nines, expectations were sky-high. But the Mandarin Oriental didn’t just meet those expectations; it obliterated them.
Acquired by the Hong Kong-based hotel group in 2018 and reopened after a complete renovation in 2019, the hotel oozes luxury from the moment you step through the door. Check-in wasn’t the usual perfunctory process; instead, it took place in a sitting room overlooking the lake, surrounded by custom Italian chinoiserie wallcoverings by Eric Egan for Fromental, sculptural pieces by Marta Sala, and original coffered ceilings that had been meticulously restored. And let’s not overlook the showstopper: the newly unveiled floating infinity pool. Designed in Switzerland, built in Finland, and assembled in Italy, this is the largest floating pool in the world. It’s the kind of detail that screams, “We’ve thought of everything, and then some.”
The hotel offers 75 rooms, including 24 guest rooms, 49 suites, and two private villas, with nearly all offering balconies and lake views. The rooms, designed with a nod to modern Italian elegance, are decorated in light, earthy tones that allow the stunning lake views to take center stage. Even the so-called “entry-level” rooms don’t skimp on luxury, with walk-in showers, Diptyque toiletries, and marble bathrooms. And if that doesn’t scream opulence, maybe the nightly turn-down service—complete with a box of chocolates, not just one—will convince you.
If you’re staying in the Panoramic Suite, you’re in for a real treat. This prize suite boasts a massive terrace with a sundeck and the resort’s only private swimming pool overlooking Lake Como. Given the property’s westward-facing position, guests are treated to more daylight hours and jaw-dropping sunsets every evening.
Dining at the Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como, is no less spectacular. The property boasts three distinct restaurants, each offering a unique culinary experience. CO.MO Bar & Bistrot may be the hotel’s informal option, but don’t be fooled—its lakeside patio epitomizes Italian elegance. Guests seem to naturally congregate here each evening for aperitivos, soaking in the ambiance. When the weather is cooperating, you can’t miss the pizza pop-up, Ape Pizza, served from a three-wheeler van equipped with a pizza oven. Their Diavola pizza, with Fior de latte mozzarella, spicy Calabrian salami, and tomato, is a must-try.
But the culinary crown jewel has to be L˜ARIA, where Chef Massimiliano Blasone masterfully blends Italian and Japanese flavors. The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of the lake, and the terrace provides an idyllic setting for al fresco dining. The menu includes everything from meat gyoza to prawns tempura, rocket salad with watercress, and the highly recommended grilled Chilean sea bass—a dish that, according to the author, is worth the trip alone.
