Villa D'Este

Set north of Milan on one of the most romantic lakes in the world and surrounded by the 25 acres of its magnificent garden, Villa d’Este was originally built in 1568 as the summer residence for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio.
The favourite playground of an Empress, an English Queen and aristocrats, it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1873.
Continuously renovated and updated, without sacrificing any of its old-world charm, Villa d’Este today offers the superior standards of hospitality you expect from one of Europe’s truly legendary resorts.

2011 Centurion Magazine Readers’ Choice 2011 “Top Favourite Resort in Europe
2010 Condé Nast Traveler “Readers’ Choice” Top 20 in Europe
2010 The Web Marketing Association WebAward for the outstanding website
2010 Travel & Leisure readers voted Villa d’Este 3rd Best Resort in Europe
2009 Forbes Traveler 400 2009 World’s Best Hotel
2009 Travel & Leisure (January) 500 World’s best hotels: Villa d’Este ranked no. 3 in Italy
 

Set on the shores of Lake Como, the Villa D' Este Hotel is located in one of the most important crossroads between Italy and Northern Europe.  Situated between the metropolis of Milan and the thriving Swiss business center of Lugano this exquisite hotel offers solace and style to business and leisure travelers alike.

The Villa d’Este Sporting Club offers to the hotel guests the following facilities free of charge: outdoor heated pool floating on the lake, outdoor children’s pool, indoor pool, 8 tennis courts (6 clay), squash court, fitness center, sauna and steam bath, jogging track, putting green, windsurfing and canoeing.
Available on request and subject to extra charge: sailing, water skiing, boat charter and private tennis lessons.

Several 18-hole golf courses are within a short drive of the property, among them the Villa d’Este Golf Club (privileges for hotel guests).

The award-winning Beauty Center offers a large selection of massages, hydrotherapy and beauty treatments for face and body.

The Concierge can arrange the following tours:
- Boat excursions to view the picturesque villages and charming villas scattered along the shores of Lake Como. The stop-over will include the town of Bellagio or the Comacina Island
- Visits to Villa Carlotta near Tremezzo or to Villa Balbianello
- Shopping in Milan (personal shopper service on request) or in Lugano (less than one hour away) or at the Foxtown outlet in Mendrisio (Switzerland, 15 minutes away)
- Visits to Lugano with its Museum of Modern Art and Villa Favorita.
- Visits to Lake Maggiore with the gardens of Villa Taranto at Pallanza-Verbania and the three islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori
- Daily sightseeing tours to Pavia, Bergamo, Venice and the Italian Riviera.
- Wine and gastronomic tours
- Free admission passes for hotel guests to Casinò di Lugano and Campione

The “Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este”
Held for the first time in 1929 and since 1999 directly under the patronage of the BMW Group, the “Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este” is recognised as one of the leading events for one-off bodied cars both vintage and concept.
It takes place every year in May.

The Villa d’Este Summer Festival
It is a landmark of Villa d’Este with its unique fireworks on the lake and an annual appointment for many guests who plan their visit according to the calendar of events:
- July 4th, American Independence Day
- July 14th, French Bastille Day
- August 15th, Midsummer Night Party
 

By car: 3 km-1,8 miles from Motorway A9, exit: Como Nord, directions to Cernobbio

By train: 5 km-3,1 miles from Como San Giovanni (approx 15 min)

By plane: 67 km-41,6 miles from Milano Malpensa International Airport (approx. 60 min); 83 km-51,5 miles from Milano Linate Airport (approx. 90 min); 34 km-21,1 miles from Lugano Agno, Swiss Airport (approx 30 min)
 

The 152 guest rooms are located both in the Cardinal Building and in the Queen’s Pavilion, built in 1856 in honour of the Princess Caroline of Brunswick. The rooms, which include double rooms, junior suites and suites, are elegant, comfortable and feature antique furniture; no two are alike in size or decor. All have air-conditioning, direct dial telephone, wi-fi, mini-bar, satellite LCD TV and marble bathrooms.

Private villas

Villa d’Este offers to its guests two magnificent private villas located inside the park, Villa Malakoff and Villa Cima, available for seasonal short term tenancies with amenities ranging from housekeeping to full hotel service.

Villa d’Este is the ideal setting for high-level seminars, prestigious events and meetings as well as for gala dinners, banquets, cocktails and wedding receptions
All meeting rooms have natural light and offer the most up to date technology and service.

3 banqueting rooms up to 210 people and 7 meeting rooms up to 250 people.
 

- Kids Club in July and August
- Baby sitting on request
- Private safe in all rooms and a safety vault at the Reception
- Private parking and garage
- Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology in public area and in all rooms
- Laundry and dry cleaning service available 6 days a week.
- 24-hour valet service
- Room Service from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m
- Gift shop, boutique, jewellery shop, hairdresser’s and beauty parlour
- Helipad

24-hour concierge providing:
- Car hire (Hertz-Avis) and private car transfer
- Boat hire with or without a driver
- Post and parcel service
- Hotel and restaurant reservations
- Theatre and cinema tickets
- Airline and train tickets and reservations
- Newspapers

- Check-in: 2.00pm
- Check-out: noon
- Open from March to mid November

The “Veranda” Restaurant is the hotel’s main restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in an elegant atmosphere. It overlooks the lake and the magnificent classical gardens. Hand-made fresh pasta, risotto and fish are the house specialities. Formal attire is required at dinner (jacket and tie).

The “Grill” Restaurant offers regional cuisine. It is open from April through October, for dinner only and it is closed on Mondays. Smart casual attire is appropriate.

Outdoor dining overlooking the lake is an option at both restaurants.

Bars

The “Canova” Bar serves snacks and drinks inside or outside on the terrace overlooking the lake with an evening piano bar until midnight.
During weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) live music.

The “Pool Bar” offers a tasty range of light meals, salads and snacks at lunch time as well as cocktails and drinks throughout the day.

The Chef’s Garden is located on the panoramic hillside leading to the Statue of Hercules and Lica. It was created in 2004 in response to the Executive Chef Luciano Parolari’s need for fresh herbs and vegetables.
Cooking lessons and wine tasting are available upon request.