The Lake Como EDITION

COMO Hotels and Resorts brings its signature holistic hospitality to Lake Como, integrating wellness, considered design, and clean cuisine into the intimacy of the Italian Lakes. The property occupies the western shore in Cadenabbia di Griante, a lakeside hamlet strung between Menaggio to the north and Tremezzo, where villas cascade toward the water and the Alps rise sharply behind.

The lake itself is the protagonist here. Steamer ferries connect Cadenabbia with Bellagio (2.1 kilometres across the water) and Varenna on the eastern shore, their prows cutting through water that shifts from pewter to turquoise depending on the light. The town of Como, 25 kilometres southwest, holds the Duomo and the Tempio Voltiano, a neoclassical temple dedicated to Alessandro Volta, inventor of the electric battery and the city's most famous son. But Cadenabbia's appeal lies in its remove from Como's bustle: the rhythm is quieter, more contemplative, shaped by the lap of water against stone and the distant ring of church bells across the valley.

Lugano Airport lies 25 kilometres north across the Swiss border. Milan Malpensa sits 56 kilometres southwest, with transfers winding through Alpine valleys before the lake opens into view. Most arrivals come by car or private transfer, the drive itself part of the arrival ritual.

The property's wellness programming follows COMO Shambhala principles, with treatments, yoga, and farm-to-table menus anchored in seasonal produce. Dining leans clean and considered, though the real culinary draw lies farther afield. Ecco, 38.8 kilometres north in Ascona, holds two Michelin stars for Reto Brändli's essential, technically flawless cooking. La Brezza, 40 kilometres away, showcases two-starred Mediterranean cuisine shaped by Chef Campanella's global travels. Villa Elena in Bergamo, 44.6 kilometres southeast, delivers two-starred creative contemporary cooking in a hillside villa above Città Alta. Book well ahead for all three.

Closer to the property, Bellagio's cobbled alleys and lakeside cafés invite wandering. The Sacri Monti, six kilometres inland, form a UNESCO site of 16th-century chapels dedicated to Christian pilgrimage, their frescoed interiors still vivid. Ferries depart from nearby marinas for Varenna (4.2 kilometres) and Sala Comacina (six kilometres), where lakeside terraces serve lavarello (whitefish) and risotto. Start with a morning ferry to Bellagio, then cross to Varenna for lunch before the afternoon light softens the mountains. Waterfalls punctuate the valleys: Cascata di Tobi, four kilometres north, tumbles through chestnut forest.

May through September delivers the region's finest weather. Temperatures climb into the mid-twenties, the lake warms enough for swimming, and terrace tables fill with aperitivo drinkers watching the light lengthen across the water. July and August see the heaviest crowds, but mornings remain serene.

Spring (March to April) brings wildflowers to the hillsides and fewer visitors, though afternoons can turn wet. The lake reflects a softer, pearl-grey light, and villa gardens open their gates for the first blooms. Autumn (October to November) offers crisp air, golden larches on the upper slopes, and the vendemmia (grape harvest) in nearby vineyards.

Winter quiets the lake entirely. Temperatures hover near freezing, mist clings to the surface, and many lakeside restaurants close until March. The few that remain serve polenta and braised meats by wood-burning fires. Snow dusts the peaks, and the region takes on a melancholic beauty best suited to those seeking solitude.