What to expert during a stay at Passalacqua, Lake Como

Before you’ve had a chance to take in the surroundings, you’re greeted by the Passalacqua team – the real stars of the show. This is not a stiff, formal hotel experience. It feels more like arriving at a (very stylish) family home. Everyone’s relaxed, warm, and genuinely pleased to see you. No forced smiles, no scripts – just great people doing hospitality the right way.

The interiors are immaculate. Chandeliers, antique armchairs, porcelain dogs, books you actually want to flick through, and artwork in every corner. You’ll want to slow down just to take it all in. I was shown to my Junior Suite with that same breathtaking view across the lake. The attention to detail was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The room had everything I didn’t realise I needed — including all three Dyson hair tools (dryer, Airwrap, straighteners), and Passalacqua’s silk-soft sheets, which set me up for a sleeping experience like no other. Each room is different, and with three buildings to choose from, there’s plenty to return for.

Activities-wise, you won’t be short on options. We started with gelato making, which was naturally a hit with everyone. And in the name of balance, each morning began with a yoga session with their inhouse yoga expert Elena, a true delight. The florist is not to be missed – a sunny corner of the hotel where she creates a small bouquet for each guest on arrival, and keeps the hotel looking impossibly beautiful with new arrangements every day. Tucked away underground, the spa a quiet sanctuary with steam, sauna, an ice machine and a tunnel leading to the indoor pool. But let’s be honest – you’ll probably want to be by the outdoor pool, reclining under the now-iconic green parasols.

Dining at Passalacqua certainly deserves a mention.  One evening, we had a private dinner in the wine cellar, complete with a local guitarist – the ideal setting for a small group. From lunch to dinner, the restaurant offers the best of Italian food and wine. Favourites included the vongole and the tiramisu – but the main event? Breakfast. Calling it a buffet doesn’t do it justice. It’s spread across two rooms, with a live kitchen where the chef will cook anything you like, and a pastry display that belongs in a gallery. Just as you think you can’t eat another bite, a three-tiered stand arrives filled with freshly baked Italian pastries that you somehow manage to make room for.

No stay at Passalacqua is complete without getting out on the lake. We took a boat up to Bellagio for a quick wander, then over to Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Passalacqua’s famous sister property) for lunch. It’s a Lake Como icon in its own right, with a totally different feel. The floating pool is built into the lake and there’s a private beach, so it’s a great spot for anyone who wants to be right on the water. Take the lift up to the hotel and you’ll find two restaurants with open views across the water, including one where you can try the menu created by the legendary Italian chef, Gualtiero Marchesi.

Back at Passalacqua, everything is flawless — the design, the setting, the food, the little surprises tucked into every corner. But what really makes it exceptional is the people. The team offer a kind of hospitality you can’t teach – thoughtful, natural, full of heart.

Some snapshots from my trip

Read our review of Passalacqua's sister property, Grand Hotel Tremezzo.