There are few places in Europe more chic than Lake Como. The northern Italian region has become renowned as a getaway to the A-list - and for good reason, it is a 45 minute drive from fashion-capital Milan, has some of the most spectacular views in the country, not to mention some of Italy’s most luxurious hotels.
Doing his part to raise the social currency of the area is George Clooney, who has owned a home in the village of Laglio since 2002, where he has played host to Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as well as former US President Barack Obama over the years. His presence is felt in the area even when he’s not at home, with taxi drivers pointing out the villa in revered tones as you sail past.
There’s no question that Lake Como makes the perfect honeymoon destination; just ask Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck who flew to the region following their spectacular Georgia wedding in August 2020. You can see why it appeals to honeymooners: it’s breathtakingly romantic, peaceful - and the food and wine is some of the best in the world.
But where to stay? Here, Grazia picks the best hotels to honeymoon like Bennifer.
What are the best honeymoon hotels in Lake Como?
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
One of the most iconic properties in Lake Como, this art nouveau building sits right on the the water, impossible to ignore with its striking Grand Budapest-esque structure (it’s rumoured that Wes Anderson modelled the fictional hotel from his film on the Grand Hotel) and floating swimming pool, surrounded by orange and white striped parasols. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were spotted here during their honeymoon in August 2022, and they’re not alone in seeking out Grand Hotel Tremezzo for a romantic break. There’s a reason it’s such a favourite. Every room, restaurant and terrace is filled with a kind of refined, old school magic: candles light the terraces at night, jasmine and orange blossom scenting the air. Whilst the hotel is, as the name dictates, grand, you can make your own trip as fancy as you like. If a relaxed, post-swim pizza and Aperol Spritz are calling: the T Pizza restaurant is an oasis of laid back local cuisine. Gavi and calamari? Head to Giacomo Al Lago, at the hotel’s beach club. Those looking for an elevated evening dinner can book at L’Escale (which serves local dishes with an elevated twist, try the cacio e pepe) or La Terreza Gualtiero Marchesi. Who doesn’t want a relaxing honeymoon spa treatment? Try the Lake Como Sleep Ritual at the hotel’s T Spa. The 110-minute total body experience draws on the beneficial properties of plants and herbs indigenous to the lake to promote deeper sleep, beginning with exfoliating followed by a muscle-relieving treatment before concluding with a relaxing massage. The hotel’s gardens alone are worth a visit, curated as they were by Emilio Trabella, who also worked on George and Amal Clooney’s property at nearby Villa Oleandra. For any essentials you’ve forgotten to pack, the onsite boutique - Sense Of Lake - has everything from swimwear to candles.
For further enquiries and bookings, please visit www.grandhoteltremezzo.com
Hilton Lake Como
This former silk factory in the heart of Como, walking distance from the bustling waterfront promenade, is understated and elegant. Opened in 2018, Hilton Lake Como offers a modern take on a honeymoon destination, with a rooftop pool (boasting 360 degree views of the lake), cocktail bar and 21 suites, three of which offer lake view private terraces complete with private whirlpools and sunbeds. The rooms are light, modern and comfortable.
The Terrazza 241 rooftop restaurant offers light bites to grab alongside cocktails, or is the perfect spot for a long romantic dinner with views over a moonlit Como (try the burrata and the baccala).
The hotel offers great options if you are travelling with children (family honeymoons are ever popular, after all), with bespoke experiences for kids under 12 such as boat tours, windsurfing, family feasts and interconnecting rooms.
The location also makes the Hilton Lake Como the perfect spot to explore the town of Como from, with its covered market and silk merchants who have operated out of Como for generations.
For further enquiries and booking visit Hilton Lake Como
Passalacqua
Opened last summer, Passalacqua is the Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s 24-suite little sister which is already making waves with its stunning design. Built in Moltrasio on Lake Como, on land originally owned by Pope Innocent XI, Villa Passalacqua was designed at the end of the 18th century, and became a meeting place for VIPs of the day, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill. You feel as if you are in a private home - albeit an extremely decadent one - thanks to the welcoming and stylish lounges, and help-yourself communal kitchen. Outdoors, the views of the lake are punctuated by an outdoor cinema, tennis court and solarium, and guests can sail from the hotel’s own pier in one of its two boats. The sumptuous spa offers exclusive Barbara Sturm treatments.
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