You’ve seen the photos. That orange-and-white striped pool floating on the deep blue water of the lake. It’s basically the most Instagrammed spot in Northern Italy, but honestly, social media does a pretty poor job of capturing what it actually feels like to stand on the terrace of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo Lake Como. There’s this specific scent in the air—a mix of damp lakeside stone, expensive jasmine, and woodsmoke—that a smartphone just can’t translate.
Lake Como is weirdly competitive. You have the Villa d'Este with its old-world stiffness and the Mandarin Oriental with its sleek, corporate perfection. But Tremezzo? It’s different. It feels like a family-run palace because, well, it is. The De Santis family owns it, and you can tell. There’s a quirkiness to the decor—think vibrant greens, punchy oranges, and velvet furniture that shouldn't work together but somehow creates this "Wes Anderson meets Italian aristocracy" vibe.
Most people think staying here is just about the pool. It’s not. If you’re planning a trip, you need to understand the logistics of Tremezzo because the town itself is tiny, and if you don’t time your ferries right, you’re basically stuck in a very beautiful, very expensive cage.
What Actually Happens Inside Grand Hotel Tremezzo Lake Como?
When you pull up to the dock, the first thing you notice isn't the building—it's the hill. The hotel is built into a steep incline. This means the views are insane, but it also means you’re going to be doing some walking. The "WOW" factor hits when you enter the Sala Musica. It’s a room that looks like it belongs in a period piece, yet people are sitting there in designer sneakers drinking Negronis.
The hotel opened in 1910. It was the Belle Époque era, a time when people traveled with eighteen trunks and spent three months "taking the air." That DNA is still there. While other hotels are trying to be "minimalist," the Grand Hotel Tremezzo Lake Como is leaning hard into maximalism. You’ll see gold-leaf mirrors, silk wallpaper from the famous Rubelli house in Venice, and enough marble to build a small cathedral.
The Pool Situation (The WOW Factor)
Water-on-the-Water. That’s the official name of the floating pool. It’s suspended in the lake, and yes, it’s heated. If you go in May, the lake water is freezing, but the pool is like a bath. But here’s the secret: don’t spend all your time there.
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Hidden at the back of the property, up a winding set of stone stairs through the gardens, is the Flowers Pool. It’s quiet. It’s surrounded by palms and hydrangeas. Most day-trippers and "influencer" guests don't even realize it’s there because they’re too busy posing at the lakefront. If you want to actually read a book or nap without hearing the roar of a Riva speedboat every five minutes, go to the back pool.
The Room Dilemma: Park vs. Lake
This is where people get it wrong. Naturally, everyone wants a Lake View room. Watching the sun hit Bellagio across the water is a core memory. However, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo Lake Como is located right on the main coastal road (the Via Regina). While the windows are incredibly soundproof, if you’re a light sleeper and you like to keep the balcony doors open, you’re going to hear the occasional Vespa zipping by at 2:00 AM.
The Garden View rooms are often overlooked. They face the hotel's 20,000-square-meter park. It’s lush. It’s incredibly silent. Plus, you’re saving a significant amount of money that you could spend at Gualtiero Marchesi, the hotel’s flagship restaurant.
Speaking of the park, it’s not just a lawn. It’s a botanical garden. The paths lead up to a Belvedere point which, in my opinion, has a better view than any of the rooms. You can see the entire central "Y" of the lake from up there. It’s a hike, so don’t wear your Gucci loafers for that part.
Eating and Drinking: Beyond the Gold Leaf
Let’s talk about the Gold Rice.
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Gualtiero Marchesi was the first Italian chef to earn three Michelin stars. Though he passed away in 2017, his signature dish—the saffron risotto with a square of edible 24-karat gold leaf—is still served at the hotel's La Terrazza restaurant. Is it a bit gimmicky? Maybe. Is it the best risotto you’ll ever have? Probably. The saffron is pungent, the rice has that perfect al dente snap, and eating gold while looking at the lights of Bellagio is peak Lake Como.
If you want something less formal:
- L’Escale Trattoria: It’s built into the old wine cellars. It feels like a cave. They do amazing local meats and fish from the lake (like missoltino, which is a sun-dried shad).
- T Bar: This is for the sunset. The terrace is huge. Order the "Tremezzo Spritz." It’s a bit sweeter than a standard Aperol version, but it hits differently when the sky turns purple.
- Giacomo al Lago: This is the partnership with the famous Giacomo Milano. It’s right on the "beach" area by the floating pool. It specializes in seafood. Honestly, getting fresh langoustines on the edge of a mountain lake is a weirdly wonderful flex.
The Logistics Most People Ignore
Tremezzo is a great location because it’s in the "Golden Triangle" (Tremezzo, Bellagio, Varenna). You can hop on a public ferry and be across the lake in ten minutes.
But here’s the thing: the hotel has its own fleet of boats. Ruy and Batt, two vintage-style wooden speedboats. They are expensive. We’re talking hundreds of Euros for a short trip. If you’re celebrating an anniversary, do it. There is nothing—absolutely nothing—like seeing the Villa Balbianello from the water in a mahogany boat. If you’re just trying to get to dinner in Bellagio, just take the public ferry. It’s five bucks and the view is 90% as good.
The Spa (T Spa)
It’s easy to skip the spa when the weather is nice, but the T Spa here is legitimate. They use Santa Maria Novella products (the famous Florentine pharmacy). The "Infinity Pool" inside the spa connects to the outdoors, and the relaxation room is housed in the 18th-century Villa Emilia next door. It has mosaic floors and frescoed ceilings. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you should be wearing a silk robe and discussing philosophy.
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Why It Matters Today
In a world of "clean girl" aesthetics and minimalist luxury, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo Lake Como is a holdout. It’s loud. It’s colorful. It’s unapologetically Italian. It doesn't try to look like a hotel in New York or London.
The service is also surprisingly warm. Usually, in five-star European "Grands," the staff can be a bit... chilly? Not here. You’ll see the same doormen year after year. They remember if you like your coffee with oat milk or if you prefer a specific table for breakfast. That’s the "family-owned" difference that corporate chains just can't replicate.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you’re actually going to pull the trigger and book a stay, here is how to do it right:
- Book Mid-Week in September: The weather is still perfect (around 22°C to 25°C), the crowds have thinned out, and the rates drop significantly compared to the July peak.
- The Villa Carlotta Shortcut: The hotel is literally next door to Villa Carlotta, one of the most famous botanical gardens in Italy. Go there right when they open at 9:00 AM before the tour buses arrive from Milan. You can walk there from the hotel lobby in three minutes.
- Breakfast is Non-Negotiable: The breakfast buffet is legendary. There is a whole room dedicated to chocolate. Yes, a chocolate room. Don’t rush it. Sit on the terrace, order the eggs benedict, and stay for two hours.
- The "Secret" Bar: Ask about the T Pizza area in the gardens. It’s way more casual and perfect for a low-key lunch if you’ve had too much fine dining.
- Suitcase Space: Leave room. The hotel boutique (Sense of Lake) sells incredible collaborations with brands like Brics and Aquazzura that you can't find elsewhere.
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo Lake Como isn't just a place to sleep; it’s a living museum of Italian hospitality. It’s expensive, yes. It’s a bit flashy, sure. But once you’re sitting on that floating pool with a glass of Franciacorta in your hand, watching the mountains turn gold, you’ll realize it’s one of those rare places that actually lives up to the hype.
Plan your ferry routes in advance using the Navigazione Laghi app so you don't get stranded, and remember that "lake time" moves slower than real time. Embrace it. Forget your emails, put your phone down (after you get the pool shot, obviously), and let the lake do its thing.