Villa d'Este
Few addresses in Italy carry the weight of Villa d'Este, a 16th-century cardinal's retreat turned legendary five-star hotel whose terraced gardens spill straight into Lake Como. Even if you're not staying the night, the public boat landing and occasional open-days let you drink in the cypress allées, mosaic grottos and the famous floating pool moored at the water's edge.
A Renaissance stage set
Built in 1568 for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, the villa passed through the hands of Caroline of Brunswick and a string of European aristocrats before becoming a hotel in 1873. Every façade, fountain and clipped hedge feels deliberately theatrical, as if Lombardy's entire lake district were arranged as a backdrop just for you.
The Italian-style gardens climb the steep hillside in a series of terraces linked by stone staircases and punctuated by the Nympheum, a moss-covered grotto dripping with ferns. Arrive by boat from Como or Bellagio for the full cinematic approach.
The floating pool and lakeside bar
Villa d'Este's iconic outdoor swimming pool sits on a pontoon extending over the lake — a genuinely unique piece of engineering that makes every lap feel surreal. Non-guests can access the pool and gardens by booking lunch or afternoon tea at the Veranda restaurant or the lakeside Grill.
The Grill terrace on warm evenings is one of the most romantic dining spots on Lake Como, with white-gloved service, grilled lake fish and a wine list that runs to several hundred labels. Book at least two weeks ahead in high season.
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