In 2018, Villa Passalacqua became the property of the De Santis family; from then on, it was a return to its former glory: a three-year effort to restore the residence to its splendidly contemporary Grand Tour glory.

Today, as in the past, Passalacqua is a refuge for friends, love, leisure, the pleasures of the table, and the quintessential Italian art of “the Dolce Vita”.

The Grand Tour Legacy: From Sacred Place to Villa of Delights

The history of Passalacqua begins on sacred ground, a property of Pope Innocent XI, where an ancient monastery of the Humiliati once stood. It was in 1787 that Count Andrea Lucini-Passalacqua decided to transform this site into one of the largest and most opulent residences on Lake Como.

The Count was seeking not just a home, but a stage. He called upon the greatest talents of the time: architect Felice Soave for the neoclassical lines and Giocondo Albertolli for the marvelous stuccoes. After the death of the last heir in 1890, the villa was purchased by Baroness Nalder von Söderholm. It remained abandoned for a long time, and finally became the property of Hungarian anthropologist Kiss Maerth, hosting many illustrious figures over time, from Napoleon to Winston Churchill.

The Rooms and the Famous Bellini Suite

Between 1829 and 1833, the Catanian composer Vincenzo Bellini found natural acoustics and a metaphysical peace here, drawing inspiration for La Sonnambula and Norma. The majestic Bellini Suite, 250 square meters with frescoed ceilings and a spectacular Barovier & Toso chandelier, is dedicated to him.

Of the 24 splendid rooms and suites, 12 are located within the Villa, 8 in the Palazz, the former stables, and 4 in the Casa Al Lago, each with a private garden.

The Restoration: Fine Craftsmanship and Icons of the Grand Tour

The restoration was not simply a renovation, but an archaeological recovery of beauty. From the special installation of six Barovier&Toso chandeliers for the dramatic entrance onto the main staircase to the hand-decorated inlaid mirrored trumeaus by Barbini, every detail is the work of the finest Italian artistic craftsmanship.

Dozens of different types of precious marble were used for the bathrooms, the original Venetian terrazzo floors were meticulously restored, as were the traditional Lombard terracotta tiles and parquet floors inlaid with various types of wood. The fabrics are by Dedar, Fortuny, and Rubelli, which also created several exclusive patterns for Passalacqua, while the bed linens, by Beltrami, are made of “wood fiber,” a natural fiber derived from birch trees that is softer than silk.

The magnificent gardens

The gardens extend across seven levels, each with a distinct character: from the orchard to the olive grove, all the way to the scenic pool area overlooking the village of Torno. The Italian garden, on one of the first terraces, was designed by Emilio Trabella, an internationally renowned landscape artist and botanist, one of the leading experts on Lake Como villas.

The surrounding solarium and the lounge area created within the former winter garden—which overlooks the pool—were designed in collaboration with JJ Martin, giving rise to “La DoubleJ a bordo piscina”, the eclectic Milanese brand’s first interior design project.

The Art of Vacationing: Exclusive Services

Passalacqua has redefined the contemporary concept of vacationing, understood as a noble time dedicated to relaxation and discovery. Numerous services and experiences are designed for guests, including:
– Historic Navigation: You can explore Lake Como aboard an Aquariva, a contemporary homage to the legendary Aquarama runabout; a beautifully restored Riva Olympic dedicated to the 1968 Olympic Games; a Giumello II, a vintage launch; or the sporty Didi, ideal for longer excursions and equipped with a sundeck and swim platform.
– Home Cooking: The culinary offering is authentically “homemade,” with fresh ingredients “from the garden to the table.” Guests, pampered by the delicacies of Executive Chef Viviana Varese, are encouraged to convivially enjoy their meal and can choose where to dine, whether beneath the frescoes of one of the historic halls or beneath the striped awnings on the panoramic terrace.
– The Spa: beneath the villa lies a network of tunnels and secret passages that once served as a means of unseen movement for the servants. Today, they lead to the spa and the beautiful indoor pool, a 20-meter-long hot tub created within an ancient greenhouse, featuring a hydromassage area and a precious Palladian marble mosaic.

Passalacqua is one of the most beautiful hotels in the world.

The Secret

In homage to the Grand Tour, Bottega Conticelli of Orvieto custom-made leather and fabric trunks for Passalacqua, which conceal the televisions in the suites, as well as numerous leather and wood art objects that embellish the rooms.

Useful Info

Passalacqua
Via Besana 59
22010 Moltrasio, Como
Tel. +39 031 44311

Rooms: from 1200 euro with breakfast