Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy: Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni; hotel review

 

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni 

95 rooms. 

Built originally as a palatial private villa in 1830, this spectacular property was converted to a hotel in 1872.  It has been owned and operated by one of the oldest hotel families in Europe since 1916.  My family had a magnificent corner room with three windows overlooking the lake.  Waking up each day was like opening a new gift as the color and feeling of the three-window view changed.  My teenage daughter was set up on a comfortable cot in a private dressing alcove, closed from the main room by a thick door.  Sheets were real linen (wonderful in a warm climate), ceilings were very tall, and nights were blissfully quiet.  All this plus suede-lined elevators and a divine breakfast room, too! 


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images c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

The Hassler Roma Inspires Romance

Meet Simone and Rosetta. They may be the Hotel Hassler Roma's most loyal customers, arriving every day at the same time for a meal from the property's panoramic restaurant, Imago. And they are most certainly the restaurant's only customers with wings. For nine consecutive years, these two love birds have showed up at 5pm for a late lunch, and again at 10pm for a romantic dinner under the stars. Their feast of gourmet left-overs--served on a silver plate, but of course--varies between smoked salmon and toast, sea scallops, fresh sturgeon, and their absolute favorite, lobster. Simone always arrives earlier than Rosetta, and, acting as the gentleman he is, always waits for her to take the first bite. "These two are the restaurant's most affectionate clients," comments one of Imago's waiters. Now it's clear where the term "love bird" comes from...and that it's not easy to give up Imago's gourmet cuisine and breathtaking views.



More things to do in Italy.

More ideas for exploring Europe.

images courtesy of the venue