Relais Regina Teodolinda
Lake Como, Italy
Lavish use of space is the luxury in this elegantly friendly 1800s villa in a prime lakeside spot
Lake Como is the smallest of the 3 northern Italian lakes. Dotted
with villas and gardens, it has long been the weekend playground of
nearby Milan. Glacial in origin, the waters remain beautifully
clear, surrounded by lush vegetation and overlooked by snowcapped
mountains. Bliss.
The hotel's position on the lake offers complete tranquillity,
broken only by the hum of passing boats. It sits on an ancient
road, originally Roman but reopened after Barbarian invasions by
the Lombardian Queen Teodolinda, after whom the villa is named. The
building dates back to 1800 and was once the holiday home of a
noble Milanese family. Owner Daniela Tagliamonte, nostalgic for a
childhood frolicking with guests at her father’s hotel in the
south, took on the meticulous restoration of the building,
conserving much of the original detail and adding some modern
touches. The result is a luxuriously restful refuge with
high-ceilinged salons, lawned gardens, a slim pool and just 6
gloriously spacious suites.
Reviewed by Negar Esfandiary
Last updated 09 May 2012
Highs
- Fantastic airy rooms, with lofty ceilings, distressed pastel walls and original tiling
- Loads of space to spread out, with separate dressing room, sofas and daybeds galore
- Or bring the family. Some sleep 4-5, and children get a lovely welcome from Daniela and Elena
- Lake frontage and fresh mountain air exude a sense of well-being
- Private pier with canoes for guests disposal; free bikes, too
- Pool counter-current mechanism enables a novel exercise sensation
Lows
- No lunch or dinner available for lazy days at the Relais
- You will need a car for eating out; there's only one good restaurant within walking distance
- The small pool may pose a challenge when there’s a full house
