For travellers visiting the magical lakes of Northern Italy, there is no want of sights to see or comfortable accommodation. But for those seeking to match the natural beauty found here with a suitable level of hospitality one would be hard-pressed to find a more charming place than the paradise we wanted to visit while driving through the long and winding roads along Lake Como, a place rich in atmosphere, history and beauty. Tremezzo is a town and resort about halfway down the western side of Lake Como and with its neighbouring towns combined together called Tremezzina.

Arriving at one of the most beautiful hotels on the lake, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, with all the charm of the Belle Époque, we receive the warmest and most charming of welcomes, which immediately puts a smile on our face. Not only have you arrived in an establishment with palatial dimensions, at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, but they have also recreated a classic lakeside lido as was the fashion during the Belle Époque. You can imagine you’re at the beach with real sand, white loungers and parasols with one difference – the spectacle of the lake waters, Bellagio and the Grigne mountains before you.

This iconic Art Nouveau masterpiece has views spanning the crystalline waters which guests can enjoy reserving one of the hotel’s motorboats, available to discover the lake’s hidden gems. The villas of Lake Como are a wonderful opportunity to go back in time and rediscover the excitement of the big European travellers who have lived here, who wrote, composed, painted, loved and dreamed inspired by the charm of this little paradise. Apart from such lavish opportunities to spend your time, you will find here every amenity possible, the private park where you can jog, an amazing state of the art SPA, tennis court and a gym to name a few.

The hotel has been kept in the family since it opened in 1910 and is now owned by the next generation, the Mallone de Santis, who take great pride in the tradition of vacationing on Lake Como and will do everything to keep this tradition alive with truly one of a kind approach, adding their unique flair to every aspect of the running of the hotel, from the décor and gastronomy to the service which is given by a fantastic team you feel cherish the family’s values.

Our dream came true when we had the ultimate experience to stay in one of the top floor suites with the most spectacular view of the lake, set with a contemporary design and a grand terrace overlooking the lake, gazing out at the breath-taking panorama from the bubbling waters of our whirlpool tub.

Feeling utterly spoiled and pampered we head to the T SPA, where there is yet more beauty and style to be experienced as we wait for our treatment in the magical infinity pool. The heat has been used since antiquity to promote wellness and we move from the Turkish bath, Mediterranean steam room and sauna to the emotional showers and ice fountain to discover a multitude of benefits. Beauty treatment with a signature facial which is a ritual inspired by ancient cultures and avant-garde treatments performed by the most experienced therapist leaves the skin feeling refreshed and shoulders relaxed.

But the ultimate experience will, of course, be the food. After all, we are in Italy. Fine Italian cuisine is served at La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi panoramic restaurant where we are told the gastronomy continues the legacy of the late master of Italian cuisine, Gualtiero Marchesi. The holder of three Michelin stars (the chef himself handed back the Michelin stars because he believed that only his customers/people eating the food could be the ones to judge its quality) created the pioneering concept of Total Cuisine, pursuing simplicity, totality and recreation in every single dish. His creative mind, passion and commitment changed modern Italian cuisine forever. Executive chef Osvaldo Presazzi, trained under this legend of Italian gastronomy and his influence lives on in the kitchens of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. And not surprisingly, Presazzi takes particular care over his ingredients, selecting fresh, seasonal produce from the Como area.

We are inclined to think that what can be found here epitomises that most famous of Italian terms, La Dolce Vita. We are keen to enjoy the sweet pleasures of Lake Como again, preferably at Grand Hotel Tremezzo.