What becomes a legend? Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Italy on Lake Como has recently been chosen to be part of the new Legend Collection of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Preferred represents over 650 properties in 85 countries so choosing which ones deserve this new status could not have been an easy task. I’m honored to be on their advisory board and when I arrived there last October for our annual meeting, there was no doubt in my mind that this would be one of the chosen few. Grand Hotel Tremezzo; an hour from Milan’s Malpensa airport, sits directly on Lake Como with breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains not unlike the views of the Long Island Sound that I grew up with. NOT!
The hotel was first opened in 1910 and was on the circuit for the elite of Europe until the outbreak of World War I. Then it was quickly turned into a clinic for the army. After the war the hotel re-opened but not with the same cache until in the 30’s when it was purchased by the Sampietro family. They refurbished and soon it was chic once more. The film Grand Hotel (1932) with Greta Garbo was filmed there. There’s even a Greto Garbo suite today.
Fast forward to present and under the present ownership of the DeSantis family with Valentina De Santis at the helm it is once again one of “the” places to stay. Like the hotel, Valentina is charmingly grand but also like the hotel she is not the least bit stuffy. Her easy and approachable persona is attracting a younger generation of luxury travelers.
The rooms are all different and most have views of the lake with the others having lush green garden views with one of the swimming pools in the background. If you can’t snag a lake view room in season don’t be dissuaded as you’ll not be unhappy in these garden view rooms. I slept like a baby on eco-friendly linens that are created from processed wood. You would never know as they are soft and luxurious.
Dining at Grand Hotel Tremezzo is an experience on its own. A meal here and you’ll lose desire to dine anywhere else in the area. There are three restaurants and all offer extensive menus that focus on local and original dishes from the Lombardy region. My personal favorite was La Terrazza. The first day I was there I had lunch preceded by the best “aperitivo” selection I have ever tasted. Of course, when in Italy, you have to have Pizza. The poolside T-Bar hosts candlelit pizza dining every Monday night that is so popular that even locals come. Always a good sign!!! For a very cool and more intimate setting L’Escale; their cave-like restaurant may actually be the finest Fondue & Wine Bar on Lake Como.
When to go? Anytime from May to October is perfect. Reserve early and naturally with a Virtuoso agency or right here at Classictravel.com. Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a Preferred Legend Hotel and has what it takes to create sublime lifetime memories.
For 2015, Virtuoso Rate Includes:
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• 25 minutes of ESPA experience at our TSpa ( equivalent to 60 Euro SPA credit)
• Complimentary WiFi for entire stay
• Free entrance to Villa Carlotta and its Botanical Gardens
• Italian wine tasting at L’Escale Fondue & Wine Bar (3 flights of wine)
• With minimum of 5-nights stay 30 minutes Boat Tour on board the Water Limo RUY, the Grand Hotel’s very own period lancia boat to discover the Lake’s magic in exclusive style
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability