Villa d'Este

Villa d'Este is an extremely luxurious hotel. They own the famous Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, a fantastic experience where classic automotive history meets the latest supercars, making it a must-see event for every car enthusiast. Walking into the Grand Hotel grounds in May, you immediately feel part of the action; watching the final preparations, meeting the owners as they wipe down the bodywork, and hearing the raw sound of combustion engines warming up makes you appreciate the dedication behind each machine. The event perfectly mixes the past and the future, displaying legendary vintage models right next to the newest, jaw-dropping hypercars and concept designs. Seeing these incredible machines parked on the lawns along Lake Como in the spring weather creates a welcoming and shared experience, making it feel less like a formal exhibition and more like a great weekend spent with people who truly live for cars.

stayed at Villa d’Este in Lake Como last year for my birthday with my partner, and the experience was wonderful. Because of that beautiful first impression, I decided to return this year with my daughter, expecting the same level of hospitality and luxury. Unfortunately, this second experience was very disappointing. When we arrived, there was a private event or meeting happening at the hotel, and guests could not properly enter the property. We had not received any information or warning about this beforehand, despite having a reservation. We were told to wait at a nearby café and that we would receive a call once the room was ready. No one ever called us, and when we eventually returned ourselves, the room had already been ready. What was especially disappointing was the clear difference in treatment compared to my previous stay. Last year, for my birthday, the hotel welcomed us warmly with champagne, a personal note, and special attention. This time, none of that happened upon arrival, despite the staff knowing it was again my birthday trip. The atmosphere felt cold and unwelcoming from the beginning. Several situations during our stay made us feel uncomfortable and honestly unwelcome. When I asked the concierge about renting a boat, I was told that the service was “only for residents,” even though we were obviously staying at the hotel. The tone changed only after I clarified that we were guests. The same thing happened at breakfast the next morning. We asked for a table for two, and again we were told that breakfast was “only for residents.” Once more, after confirming that we were staying at the hotel, the attitude suddenly became friendlier. Interestingly, after my daughter — who is an influencer — posted photos from the property and received attention online, the staff’s behavior noticeably changed. Suddenly, people became much warmer and more attentive toward us. Hospitality should be equal for every guest, not dependent on appearance, status, or social media presence. The most upsetting part of the experience happened on our last day. Before breakfast, I informed the front desk that we would soon be checking out and that we did not need anything further in the room. I packed my belongings and removed my cash from the safe, placing it in my purse because I was not expecting anyone to enter the room again. When we returned, the hotel had suddenly placed a bottle of champagne and a birthday note in the room — something that would have been meaningful upon arrival, not shortly before departure. However, after noticing that someone had entered the room, I checked my purse and discovered that €200 was missing from the €1,000 I had inside. I reported this immediately, but of course I was told the hotel is not responsible for valuables not locked in the safe. While I understand hotel policy, I had specifically not expected anyone to enter the room after informing staff that we were leaving shortly. Another uncomfortable incident happened earlier during the stay when I noticed that a towel I had placed inside my personal bag had been removed by housekeeping. This made me feel that my personal belongings had been handled without permission, which is not acceptable in a luxury hotel. Villa d’Este is an iconic and extremely expensive hotel, but sadly our experience this time felt superficial and inconsistent. The hospitality appeared genuine only when the staff believed there was social status or visibility attached to us. As returning guests, we expected professionalism, warmth, discretion, and respect throughout the stay — unfortunately, that was not our experience.

Villa d’Este in Cernobbio is something truly exceptional – a property that fully lives up to its reputation as one of the finest hotels in Italy. Every detail reflects thoughtful design, tradition, and an unmistakable sense of exclusivity. The experience begins already at the gate, where professionally dressed staff politely and discreetly confirm your access, ensuring a sense of both security and refined exclusivity from the very first moment. At the entrance, attentive doormen take care of your luggage while you check in, setting the tone for a stay defined by high-level service throughout. We were fortunate to receive an upgrade, which added that extra touch to our visit. Our room was spacious, beautifully decorated, and perfectly located close to the impressive health club and spa area, featuring a pool, a well-equipped gym, and even a squash court. The grounds themselves also offer several exclusive boutiques for shopping, as well as a hair salon. The hotel offers two restaurants: a refined à la carte option and a more relaxed grill restaurant. However, our most memorable moment was spent on the elegant lakeside terrace, enjoying the bistro menu with a glass of rosé at sunset. The atmosphere was simply magical, beautifully accompanied by live piano music performed on a grand piano, set right on the terrace. For drinks and snacks there is also a beautiful pianobar inside, that had live entertainment. The location of the hotel is ideal, within walking distance of the charming center of Cernobbio. A short stroll can be refreshing, yet one quickly finds oneself wanting to return to the tranquility and beauty of Villa d’Este. Having stayed at many luxury hotels, I can honestly say that I struggle to recall anything quite like this. It is easy to understand why the property is considered among the very best in Italy – truly a playground for the privileged, yet also a secluded retreat. If there is one area that clearly fell below expectations, it was the concierge service. At a property of this caliber, one anticipates a proactive, solution-oriented approach – yet even relatively simple questions regarding local excursions could not be answered satisfactorily. When we needed to replace an item we had forgotten to pack, we were merely directed to a shop in town rather than being offered assistance in arranging it through the hotel. At comparable hotels, such requests are typically handled seamlessly by the concierge, with items sourced and delivered directly to the guest – a service we would naturally have been more than willing to pay for. While this did not detract significantly from the overall experience, it was nevertheless surprising to encounter a level of service here that did not align with the otherwise exceptional standards maintained throughout the property. In any case, this extraordinary, fairytale-like property is unlike anything else. I can highly recommend it. This was our third visit – and certainly not our last.

SUPERB ! No other words are necessary. 4 days of pure luxury

unforgettable stay at Villa d’Este. The elegance, the spectacular lake views, and the extraordinary attention to detail make this place truly exceptional. We went there for Andrea Bocelli concert, unfortunately because of rain, it was moved to another location