While writing this article I am sitting in the lush garden of Il Sereno, the latest one of a kind small luxury Hotel at Lake Como. Since its opening in 2016 the Hotel became an instant success for people looking for relaxed, but refined luxury in a super private atmosphere and you feel relaxed the moment you cross the bridge towards the reception.
It’s the sister Hotel to the famous Le Sereno in St. Barth.
For this first newly build lakeside Hotel at Lake Como for 70 years the owner Luis Contreras engaged renowned interior architects, Patricia Urquiola. She created a encompassing design where the natural spectacle of the lake takes center stage. All 30 suits are facing the lake and the interior of the rooms and public spaces bridge the indoors with the magnificent nature outside and can be recognized in her architecture, fabric, furniture and textile designs.
Parks and Gardens play a big role in the history of North Italian Lakes. Il Sereno faces up to this tradition and reinterprets it in a completely new way. In order to connect nature even more with the building, the well-known botanist Patrick Blanc was won over for this project. Here, too, he created his famous Vertical Gardens and two other artistic plant installations which melt in perfectly with the surrounding green, lush hills of the lake.
You will spend your days by the waterfront, off- and on-shore. Whether you will be taking their boat shuttle to visit Como or taking the private Riva boat on your own. I especially loved my trip with their custom build barchetta from Cantiere Ernesto Riva (founded 1771 at Lake Como) to enjoy the, “Pic-Chic at the Lake by Larusmiani@Il Sereno”, a specially customized pic nic box from the lux Milanese fashion house . The especially designed picnic basket is filled with chilled champagne, served in crystal glasses and declasses by the chef Raffaele Lenzi served on painted porcelain.
You can take these little motorboats to explore the lake on your own (no boat license required).
At the end of the day, I suggest going for a body scrub spa treatment at the Valmont spa and relax afterwards in the outdoor space of the former boat house which reminds me of the blue grotto with its shimmering light.
The weekend treat goes further with a dinner in their Michelin star restaurant Berton Al Lago with their distinct interior and world-class cuisine created by Chef Raffaele Lenzi – not to mention the masterful mixologists behind the bar, where you can start the evening with your aperitivo on the terrace overlooking the lake.
You feel that Il Sereno is a heart driven project created by the owner and a bunch of international creatives that deeply love what they do. It feels as if this place had been here for ever just with a new twist which fits perfectly in our time and will inspire many more projects like this.
We are longing for places that have a sense of privacy, are small enough to make you feel like at home but different enough to relax and rewind. The simplicity but highest quality of all aspects makes a weekend stay a unique experience.
We travelled by car with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge from Munich to Lake Como, the drive took us 4 1/2 hours. Perfect for a weekend trip.
This trip was supported by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. and the Il Sereno Lago di Como.