Lake Como › Cernobbio & Tremezzo
Two grand old names on Lake Como, about 40 minutes apart by road. One is a Renaissance villa in a vast private park near Como town, the other a 1910 Art Nouveau palace facing Bellagio. Here is how they differ, so you can choose the one that fits the trip you have in mind.
Last checked: October 2026 · Based on official hotel information and recent reviews · We may earn a commission
At a glance
Renaissance villa & park
Villa d’Este
€€€€ · Cernobbio, southern lake
- Built in 1568, set in 25 acres of private gardens
- Famous pool that floats on the lake, plus an indoor pool
- Eight tennis courts and a Sporting Club with gym, sauna and squash
Art Nouveau palace, mid-lake
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
€€€€ · Tremezzo, facing Bellagio
- Opened in 1910, views straight across to Bellagio
- Three pools, including one floating on the lake
- T Spa in the historic Villa Emilia, with an indoor pool
Which fits what you want?
If you want space & gardensVilla d’EsteA 25-acre private park to wanderIf you want the classic viewTremezzoBellagio right across the waterIf you love tennisVilla d’EsteEight courts and lessons on siteIf you want to hop by ferryTremezzoFerry stop a short walk awayIf you fly into MilanVilla d’EsteUnder an hour from MalpensaIf you travel with kidsTremezzoKnown as very family-friendly
Amenities side by side
| Amenities | Villa d’Este | Tremezzo |
|---|---|---|
| Lake views | Many rooms | Many rooms |
| Floating pool on the lake | Yes (12+ unless with an adult) | Yes |
| Other pools | Indoor pool | Garden pool & indoor spa pool |
| Spa & wellness | Sauna, Turkish bath | T Spa |
| Gym | Open 24 hours | Yes |
| Tennis | Eight courts | Ask the hotel |
| Boats | Riva boats for hire | Hotel boats |
| Walk to a village | Cernobbio | Tremezzo, ferry stop |
| Children | Welcome, kids’ pool | Welcome |
| Lake without crossing a road | Yes | Road between hotel and lake |
What each one does best
Villa d’Este: a Renaissance estate by the water
Villa d’Este began life in 1568 as a cardinal’s summer residence and later belonged to Caroline of Brunswick. Today it has 152 rooms across the main Cardinal building and the Queen’s Pavilion, plus four private villas in the grounds. The 25-acre park, with its statues, mosaics and old plane trees, is a big part of the experience.
Days revolve around the lake: the floating pool (ages 12+ unless with an adult), canoes and paddleboards, and classic wooden Riva boats for hire. The Sporting Club adds an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, a 24-hour gym and squash, and there are eight tennis courts. The Veranda restaurant by the water is the place to book ahead. It is close to Como town and under an hour from Milan Malpensa, but further from the classic mid-lake villages.
Check Villa d’Este prices and availability → · Read the hotel story
Grand Hotel Tremezzo: the classic mid-lake view
Grand Hotel Tremezzo opened in 1910 as one of the first purpose-built hotels on the lake and is still run by one family. Its yellow facade looks straight across the water to Bellagio, right in the middle of the lake, with a ferry stop a couple of minutes’ walk away. Villa Carlotta and its gardens are next door.
There are three pools: one floating on the lake, one in the gardens and an indoor pool in the T Spa, set in the 18th-century Villa Emilia. Several restaurants range from La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi to pizza and a lakeside beach restaurant, and the hotel has its own boats for lake trips. Families are made very welcome. The trade-off: a lakeside road separates the main building from the lake-level pool and restaurant, with staff on hand to help you cross.
Check Grand Hotel Tremezzo prices and availability → · Read the hotel story
Where they are
Who should skip both
If you want a quiet, simple stay on a tighter budget, both are grand, busy hotels at the top end of Lake Como prices. Smaller family-run hotels in Bellagio, Varenna or Menaggio give you the same views for much less.
The choice is yours
Two very different ways to love Lake Como
Choose Villa d’Este ifyou want a historic estate with a huge park, tennis and easy access from Milan, close to Como town.Choose Tremezzo ifyou want the postcard view of Bellagio, ferries on your doorstep and a family-friendly mid-lake base.
Which would you choose?
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Sources: Aspire: Villa d’Este, Villa d’Este Sporting Club 2026, Aspire: Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Ciao Bambino: Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Grand Hotel Tremezzo 2026 season. Facts change: please confirm details with the hotel when booking.