Passalacqua’s EUR 20 Million Revival on Lake Como

Lake Como doesn’t do subtle. And neither does Passalacqua. This place isn’t just another boutique hotel — it’s the kind of villa that looks like it was designed by an 18th-century duke with taste and a bottomless bank account. Which, as it turns out, isn’t far off.

Set on the hills of Moltrasio, Passalacqua is an unapologetic masterclass in old-world Italian opulence —marble, frescoes, stucco, silk — the works. It is what happens when you take a historic villa, throw EUR 20 million at it, and let a family of perfectionist hoteliers (the De Santis crew, of Grand Hotel Tremezzo fame) go completely nuts with restoration. The result: 24 rooms, more handblown chandeliers than you can count, and enough character to make most other five-star joints feel like IKEA with a minibar.

Let’s be clear: this place is not minimalist. It doesn’t try to be cool in that beige-and-bronze, Scandinavian way that makes you feel like you’re living inside a startup office. No, this is a cigar-in-hand, opera-in-the-background, Murano-chandelier-above-the-bed kind of cool. Baroque flourishes, deep leather chairs, and ceilings that probably took longer to paint than most modern hotels take to build.

Yet it somehow doesn’t feel stuffy. Maybe it’s the down-to-earth staff in sharp Giuliva Heritage tailoring, the roaming chickens in the terraced gardens, or the bocce court casually perched next to an 18th-century fountain. Maybe it’s the Aperol-colored Fiat 500 that zips you back up from the lake. It’s the sort of place that knows exactly what it is: a luxury villa with history and swagger, but one that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The Rooms

The main villa houses the grandest suites — 12 in total, each one named after a Bellini opera character (mine was Beatrice, a tragic heroine, which felt a little ironic as I bathed in Carrara marble surrounded by silk). There are more suites in the Palazz (a converted stable that now smells faintly of cedar and expensive cologne), and Casa al Lago, which you can take over with your entourage or keep to yourself if you’re the solitary billionaire type.

Expect king-size everything: carved ceilings, heavy doors, antique furniture, and beds so comfortable you might rethink your mattress situation at home. Tech is slickly hidden — TVs vanish into vintage trunks, outlets are future-proofed with USB-Cs (a first, even for Lake Como), and bathrooms come stocked with the full Dyson arsenal: hairdryer, straightener, and Airwrap. Overkill? Maybe. Appreciated? Absolutely.

The Grounds

Seven acres of terraced gardens spill down to the lake, and you could easily lose half a day wandering around and pretending you’re scouting locations for a Bond film. Olive groves, roses, magnolia trees, and jasmine hit you with that effortless Italian countryside smell that makes you question your life choices back in the city.

The pool is set against an old greenhouse, with striped parasols that look like they wandered in from a fashion shoot. There’s a garden-level bocce court, a kitchen garden, and yes—live chickens. Because nothing says “I’ve made it” quite like watching a sunset over Lake Como while a hen named Sofia pecks nearby.

The Food

The dining setup is as low-key — or high-key — as you want it. You can eat in the main restaurant (designed like someone’s very rich grandmother’s dining room), by the lake, in the rose garden, or even in the open kitchen where the chef will ask you what you’re in the mood for like you’ve known each other for years.

The food is Italian comfort done right: homemade pastas, heirloom tomatoes that taste like they were just slapped awake by the sun, fresh-baked everything. Nothing flashy, just solid ingredients and a chef who knows what he’s doing. Breakfast is a full-blown event, with cakes, pies, and an omelette bar that could feed an army.

The Vibe

Passalacqua feels like someone very wealthy and tasteful decided to open up their family villa to a few lucky guests — except the staff are more polished, the towels are fluffier, and there’s a boat at the dock with your name on it. Whether you’re sipping a Negroni on the terrace, playing bocce in linen trousers, or pretending not to notice George Clooney’s seaplane overhead, you’ll find yourself settling into a kind of cinematic, unbothered existence.

Sure, it’s extravagant. But Passalacqua earns it. Every detail, from the scent of the room to the hand-stitched leather ottoman, feels intentional. Nothing is done halfway, and somehow, it still all feels easy.

Passalacqua is Lake Como on expert mode. If you like your luxury with a heavy side of history, craftsmanship, and personality, this place is your play. It’s not for everyone — if your idea of five stars includes LED mood lighting and 24-hour room service for smoothies, maybe stick to the city. But if you want to live like a gentleman for a few days — with access to some of the most beautiful views in Europe, a boat, a bar, and a bocce court — this is your spot.

Just be warned: you’ll never look at another hotel the same way again.

For more on the latest in lifestyle, culture and travel reads, click here.

The post Passalacqua’s EUR 20 Million Revival on Lake Como appeared first on LUXUO.

COMO Cocoa Island: Where Stranded-on-a-Sandbar Meets Luxury