Villa e Palazzo Aminta

You want design hotels, go back to Milan. Villa e Palazzo Aminta, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, is proudly, defiantly untroubled by this whole boutique-hotel hullabaloo. This is a hotel with a Liz Taylor suite, if that tells you anything, and save for the occasional modern intervention — the spa, the wi-fi, perhaps, and the whole flat-screen satellite TV business — the finer points of a stay here are essentially just as they were when Richard Burton was to be found lounging about the place.

Which is to say, a phenomenal location and an extravagant, aristocratic elegance. Not for Palazzo Aminta the beige, modern B&B Italia approach. The décor here pre-dates the Italian Republic itself. These rooms are made for luxuriating, and forget dressing for dinner — you’ll want to dress up just for a walk through the lobby. Jetted tubs are standard in the bathrooms, suites and junior suites come with lake-facing terraces, and the aforementioned Taylor suite is just one of three opulent signature suites.

The sole nod to the contemporary luxury-boutique experience is the spa, whose treatments, from hammam to aromatherapy, are state of the art. Two restaurants serve upscale Italian fare — no fusion, thank you — and golfers choose from a number of local courses. Meanwhile Lake Maggiore calls; there’s a private beach for hotel guests, and sailing excursions are happily arranged.

Please note: Villa Palazzo Aminta is open seasonally April through October.

How to get there:
Train: Stresa train station is approximately 5 minutes by taxi from the hotel.

Driving Directions from Milano Malpensa Airport: Approximately 50 minutes drive time. Take A26 in the direction of Gravellona Toce. On highway A26 exit at Arona and then follow SS 33 up to Stresa for about 18 Km keeping the lake on scenic road on your right hand side. You may also take A26 to exit at Carpugnino (forbidden to buses) where you'll find a narrow road going down to Stresa (5 Km) with a wonderful panoramic view. Otherwise you can continue going until exit Baveno-Stresa where the road will immediately reach the lakeside: you'll need to drive back to Stresa for about 5 Km with the lake on your left hand side.