A Modern Hotel On Lake Como Is Redefining Waterfront Luxury With Swim-Up Room Access

Lake Como is one of those magical places that doesn't seem real. Between the lush mountains, emerald waters, and flawless gardens, it feels like a dream. This slice of heaven is also quite famous for its palatial, neoclassical villas. So imagine the eyebrows that were raised when hotelier Luis Contreras bought the ruins of an old villa and began to construct a modern hotel in its place. He enlisted the help of Milan-based architect and designer Patricia Urquiola and went to work constructing what became Luxury Travel Advisor magazine's "Most Anticipated New Luxury Hotel Opening in 2016."

Il Sereno Lago di Como has since won countless awards and is regularly lauded as one of the best hotels in Europe. This lakeside masterpiece features 40 suites — all with lake views through floor-to-ceiling windows — countless top-notch amenities, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and as of 2023, Lake Como's only swim-up suite: the Darsena Lago Suite.

In a hotel entirely made up of exceptional suites, this particular suite still stands out. The Darsena Lago Suite is built on top of an old stone darsena (meaning boathouse). This puts the suite's expansive furnished terrace right at lake level giving the lucky guests who stay here private swim-up access from the lake plus access to their very own dock. 

As if it wasn't enough to be able to enjoy a feature no one else has on Lake Como, this suite also boasts amenities including a private dining room, a media room, a wet bar, two bathrooms, and a master bedroom with a walk-in closet. This setup is perfect for families with two children up to 16 years old. And with access to 24-hour room service, you have many opportunities to enjoy a meal in your swanky dining room or a post-swim snack in your terrace dining area. Rates start at $6,250 per night.

Il Sereno Lago di Como manages to impress the crowd that's hard to impress by giving unexpected upgrades to amenities they've come to expect. Of course, it has a spa, but it has a world-class spa that's built in the property's old darsena offering treatments just feet from the gentle waves of the lake. Of course, there's a pool, but it's a heated infinity pool that extends over the lake and was described by one Travel + Leisure writer as "the most beautiful pool I've ever seen." Of course, it has a restaurant, but it has a Michelin-starred restaurant called Il Sereno al Lago with three different tasting menus.

The best way to explore Lake Como is by boat. With that in mind, the hotel has its own fleet of boats. But not just any boats — boats that were custom-made by Cantiere Ernesto Riva. Take the hotel's water limousine to a lakeside gem like Nesso or to dinner reservations in Lecco for an authentic Lake Como experience. Have a romantic picnic prepared by a Michelin-star chef out on the lake in a rowboat, or jet across the lake on one of the three Riva Jetto self-driven boats. Guests have so many unique opportunities to experience Lake Como in style.

Il Sereno is roughly an hour's drive from the Milan Malpensa Airport. If you don't fancy driving yourself, the hotel will arrive to pick you up in a Maserati Quattroporte. There's also a helipad on-site if you like to make an entrance.