Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Midway down the southwestern arm of Italy’s sublime Lake Como is the town of Tremezzo — just one of many spectacular towns by the water, it’s as stunning as any of them, and is home to something rather impressive: the Grand Hotel Tremezzo.

This is a grand hotel in every sense, having more in common with the stately palaces on Lake Geneva than with the trademark Italian villa hotel. Twelve acres of parkland surround the century-old building, and a hundred massed windows face out over the lake; every room overlooks either the park or the waters of Lake Como.

The interiors are elegant, leaning more toward an authentic and well-preserved tribute to the spirit of 1910. The style is Liberty, the Italian variant of Art Nouveau, admitting a decided French influence as well as some English elements — unique indeed for a hotel in the heart of Lombardy.

Golf and tennis facilities are close at hand, and the Tremezzo offers two outdoor pools, a spa with indoor pool and fitness center, and access to the sporting possibilities of the lake. La Terraza restaurant serves upscale Italian far with breathtaking views of the water; below, L'Escale offers fondue and wine from the cellar. Three "T"s complete the picture: T Pizza in the private park, T Beach for a light lunch by the shore, and T Bar for cocktails and nightly live piano.

Please note: Grand Hotel Tremezzo is open annually from mid-March through the end of October.