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A cardinal’s summer palace in Cernobbio, a hotel since 1873
- Hotel since 1873
- 25 acres of gardens
- Floating pool on the lake
- Families welcome
The story
In 1568, Tolomeo Gallio, the wealthy cardinal of Como, asked the architect Pellegrino Pellegrini, known as Tibaldi, to build him a summer villa on the lake shore at Cernobbio, the village where he was born. The Gallio family kept it for more than two centuries.
Then came a string of famous owners. The most colourful was Caroline of Brunswick, Princess of Wales and future Queen of England, who lived here in the early 1800s and built the lakeside Villa Cima for the Count and Countess Pino, the villa’s former owners. A Russian empress, Maria Feodorovna, also owned it for a time.
In 1873 a group of Milanese businessmen turned the villa into a luxury hotel. It celebrated its 150th season in 2022, and it is still privately owned by an Italian family, today with 151 rooms, four private villas in the park and gardens protected as a national monument since 1913.
At a glance
- Where
- Via Regina 40, on the lake shore in Cernobbio, near Como
- Open since
- A hotel since 1873; the villa dates from 1568
- Rooms
- 151 rooms and suites in two buildings, plus four private villas
- Dining
- Veranda, Grill, Platano and the Sundeck by the pool
- Wellness
- Beauty Center with six treatment rooms, sauna, Turkish bath, gym
- Pool
- Heated pool floating on the lake, indoor pool, children’s pool
- Children
- Welcome, with a children’s pool and tennis lessons
- Check-in / out
- 14:00 / 12:00
- Nearest airport
- Milan Malpensa, 52 km; Lugano, 34 km
Why book it
Swim on the lake
The heated pool floats on Lake Como itself, with the Sundeck bar and restaurant right beside it.
History you can walk through
Twenty-five acres of Renaissance and Baroque gardens, with the famous Mosaic, a temple and a mock fortress.
A full sports club
Eight lake-view tennis courts, squash, a golf simulator, a putting green and water sports from the jetty.
Easy from Milan
Como station is about ten minutes away by car, and Malpensa airport about 52 km.
Amenities
Food and drink
- Veranda, fine dining by the lake
- Grill, relaxed, in the garden
- Platano, Mediterranean and Japanese
- Sundeck by the floating pool
- Bar Canova, with live music
Wellness
- Beauty Center, six treatment rooms
- Sauna and Turkish bath
- Gym open 24 hours
Pool and outdoors
- Heated floating pool
- Indoor heated pool
- Outdoor children’s pool
- Jogging trail in the park
Experiences
- Eight tennis courts, six clay
- Windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and SUP
- Boat trips to Bellagio and Tremezzo
Service
- Four private villas to rent
- Helipad and boat transfers
- Charging points for cars and electric boats
Did you know?
A queen’s lakeside villa
Villa Cima, the only private villa right on the water, was built in 1815 by Caroline of Brunswick, Princess of Wales.
Bar Canova is as old as the hotel
The bar has been serving guests since the hotel opened in 1873.
A car show every spring
The grounds host the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, one of the world’s best-known classic-car shows.
Good to know
Best for
- Couples who love grand, historic hotels
- Families (children’s pool, tennis lessons)
- Sporty guests: tennis, squash, water sports
- Travellers arriving from Milan or Como
Think twice if
- You want a small, intimate hotel
- You prefer modern, minimalist design
- You want to be in Bellagio or the central lake
- A formal dress code at dinner bothers you
The hotel closes for part of the winter, with some special winter openings. Restaurant tables, especially at the Grill and Platano, are best booked before you arrive.
Location
Ready to choose?
See it side by side
Wondering how Villa d’Este compares with Grand Hotel Tremezzo, across the lake from Bellagio?
Last checked: October 2026. Sources: Villa d’Este press kit 2025, Wikipedia, The Collector, Elle Decor, The World’s 50 Best Discovery. Facts change: please confirm details with the hotel when booking. We may earn a commission.