The Sundeck is perfect for light lunches paired with signature cocktails, exclusively for hotel guests. Platano presents a Mediterranean-Japanese fusion menu, blending locally sourced ingredients with Japanese culinary techniques. Meanwhile, the Canova Bar & Lakeside Terrace is famed for its glamorous setting: guests relax on the jasmine-filled terrace beneath chestnut trees, enjoying cocktails and live music. Across all venues, meals are as much about enjoying the views of the lake, gardens, and Baroque architecture as they are about the cuisine.
Courtesy of Villa D’Este
You’re in Como, so of course the lake beckons. Guests can explore the lake on e‑boats or vintage Vaporina tours, take seaplane excursions, or follow curated itineraries including guided hikes or visits to Teatro Sociale Como. On land, the Sporting Club caters to fitness enthusiasts with indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, squash, and a fully equipped gym.
Lake Como may be a summer destination, but Villa d’Este has embraced the winter season, staying open to establish it as a year-round destination. Visiting in the off-season means you can savour the hotel’s historic grandeur at a slower pace, noticing design details and craftsmanship that might otherwise be missed. In soft winter light, the hidden paths, gardens, and centuries-old architecture take on a cinematic quality, the kind of scene you’d happily frame for Instagram.
Courtesy of Esohe Ebohon
Courtesy of Esohe Ebohon
Courtesy of Esohe Ebohon
Winter is when the property really sparkles. The annual Christmas Lighting gala unveils the hotel’s extraordinary seasonal decorations during a VIP cocktail reception, perfectly complementing Villa d’Este’s Italian Renaissance style and illuminating its extensive gardens and lakeside setting. I enjoyed a variety of seasonal experiences, each infused with the hotel’s signature elegance. Inside the ornate halls of Sala Colonne, the Chocolate Room offers an artisan tasting of haute patisserie, handcrafted chocolates, and sweet creations, including a show-stopping 1kg Panettone.
Courtesy of Villa D’Este
Courtesy of Villa D’Este
Courtesy of Esohe Ebohon
My takeaway from my time here is that Villa d’Este is meant to be lived in, savoured, and experienced as a destination in its own right, rather than a mere stop on an itinerary. Guests who embrace this approach are rewarded with consistently high standards of service, meticulously maintained facilities, and exceptional dining. For travellers drawn to formality, heritage, and a measured pace, it’s easy to see why Villa d’Este has remained one of Lake Como’s most iconic and enduring hotels for more than 150 years.
Nightly rates at Villa D’Este start from €1,300 for a double classic room, with breakfast included.