Passalacqua
- Sep 2, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 11
Standing proudly in the quaint lakeside village of Moltrasio, just fifteen minutes from Como town, Passalacqua has been transformed from a private home, established in 1787, into a once-in-a-century hotel. This luxury Lake Como hotel has also earned the prestigious title of No. 1 Hotel on the 2023 edition of the World's Best Hotels List.
A Historical Retreat
Enter the gates and immerse oneself in the simple pleasures of life, seeking inspiration from every corner of this wonderfully decorated hotel. Passalacqua has once hosted esteemed guests such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Winston Churchill, and Vincenzo Bellini, who composed some of his most famous operas here. This rich tapestry of culture and history resonates throughout the property, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
Each of the 24 unique accommodations embodies the enviable lakeside lifestyle that has made Lake Como so beloved through the ages. Guests can dine in meticulously designed and furnished venues that delight the senses. They can also partake in wellness activities and experiences curated to reflect the Italian art of dolce far niente, or pleasant idleness.
Passalacqua Highlights
Location
Situated in the quaint lakeside village of Moltrasio, just fifteen minutes from Como town.
Located directly on the shores of the shimmering Lake Como.
Accommodation
24 unique accommodations embody the enviable lakeside lifestyle.
Rooms include the grand Villa, the ancient Palazz, or the romantic Casa al Lago, nestled in lush gardens.
Every detail is curated from the heart, preserving both the rich heritage of the rooms while looking to the future.
Dining
Indulge in romantic gourmet dinners, informal al fresco lunches, and breezy light Italian plates.
Guests are invited to observe the chefs at work in their open, all-day kitchens.
Enjoy a chic picnic on a boat while taking in the expansive, breathtaking views of Lake Como.
The Winter Garden, a former greenhouse, has been expertly transformed into an all-day bar, designed by Milan-based JJ Martin of La DoubleJ.
Wellness
Relaxation and treatment rooms in the Palazz feature rituals inspired by the lake’s magic and utilise products from the Tuscan skincare line, Seed to Skin.
Experience a one-of-a-kind spa in the steam bath, sauna, and indoor pool housed in an 18th-century underground tunnel.
Participate in yoga and fitness activities among magnolia trees along Lake Como.
The greenhouse turned gym next to the waterfront is fitted with the latest equipment, providing the perfect workout-with-a-view.
Experiences and Services
The concept of "la villeggiatura"—the unhurried, soulful Italian holiday retreat—is alive here.
Guests can enjoy gelato-making classes, flower arranging, or take a dip with views of the lake, depending on the season.
The private pier at the lake shore invites guests to explore Lake Como in style by boat.
Passalacqua Location
Close enough to Como town for convenience, yet tucked away in the tranquil and charming Moltrasio—a less touristy, more authentic village—Passalacqua enjoys a rare balance of seclusion and accessibility.
Located right next to the glittering shores of Lake Como, guests have front-row views of the fantastic panorama of the Italian landscape. Passalacqua also boasts a private jetty located at the edge of the villa, turning leisure boat ride dreams into reality. The villa is perfectly positioned for exploring Lake Como’s icons like Bellagio, Cernobbio, and Tremezzo. With sweeping hillside and lakefront views, Passalacqua offers a setting that is as romantic as it is convenient.
Accommodation
The rooms at Passalacqua are spread across three distinct areas: the Palazz, Villa, and the Casa al Lago. Each area possesses unique and unforgettable characteristics, lovingly restored by the De Santis family, who chose each feature and designed every detail with great care.
Palazz
Location: Tucked away behind the Villa, a private refuge for those seeking privacy.
Features: Home to the Spa, perfect for those looking for close access to a wellness retreat. The Palazz houses eight cozy rooms adorned with jewel-toned walls as rich as velvet, ceiling lamps of the finest Venetian silk, and centuries-old oak trusses.
Room types:
- Room in the Palazz
Villa
Location: Right in the heart of Passalacqua, with central access to all amenities and experiences.
Features: Interconnected rooms available on request; some rooms offer direct views of the lake. The Villa houses twelve rooms and suites boasting high ceilings with exquisite stucco and fresco decorations, as well as grandiose Murano chandeliers. Its Bellini Suite, the largest on Lake Como, includes the Sala della Musica with double-height vaulted ceilings, where Bellini was known to tinkle the ivories.
Room types:
- Room in the Villa
- Room in the Villa with Lake View
- Grand Junior Suite in the Villa with Lake View
- Suite Agnese in the Villa
- Suite Norma in the Villa with Lake View
- Suite Bellini in the Villa with Lake View
Casa al Lago
Location: Located at the first terrace of the estate’s vast park with the lake right at its feet.
Features: Access to garden OR patio with a view of the lake, depending on the room; interconnected rooms available on request. Embrace the garden and own the water by staying in one of these four very special rooms with front-row views of Lake Como, which can also become a ravishing exclusive-use enclave.
Room types:
- Room al Lago with Lake View
- Grand Room al Lago with Lake View
Palazz Building - Grand Room
Enveloping guests in a rich, velvety cocoon of colour, this Grand Room, sized at 50 square metres, is filled with charm from its hardwood floors to the Venetian silk lamps and centuries-old oak beams overhead.
Generous floorspace and magnificent original ceiling beams mark out these deliciously decadent rooms, adorned with precious silk lampshades and sapient fin de siècle design touches.
Grand Rooms hark back to an age when bathrooms were also considered elegant living spaces. Lined with opulent Levanto marble, they feature roll-top pedestal tubs—one of which nestles at the base of an ancient tower.
Villa Building - Junior Suite with Lake View
With a décor that complements the moods of the lake, the spacious open space, including living room and bedroom of this Junior Suite, each spanning 70 square metres, offers the perfect spaces to relax and admire the beauty outside.
The placid lake is framed like a landscape painting in the windows of these refined, welcoming junior suites. Antique splendour and a touch of romantic intimacy mingle in an open-space ambience that embraces both bedroom and living room.
Portraits of 19th-century lords and ladies, nesting Chinoiserie tables, and precious vases perched on golden sconces—these are just a few of the rich details scattered throughout these highly sought-after accommodations.
Casa al Lago Building - Junior Suite al Lago with Lake View
Offering Passalacqua’s ultimate up-close-and-personal lake views, the Casa al Lago Junior Suite, at a generous 60 square metres, features a spacious open-plan bedroom and living space that opens onto a private-dining patio and a verdant garden perched above the lake.
Lined with soft grey marble, the sumptuous bathrooms afford the delightful privilege of luxuriating in a roll-top pedestal bathtub as dappled sunlight filters through the trees outside.
With the Casa al Lago strategically situated right next to the lake, the living quarters connect to a patio overlooking the lush gardens. From there, sweeping views across the lake’s blue waters sparkle from first light until the romance of dusk descends.
Dining
At Passalacqua, the dining experience is intentionally crafted to be unlike that of a typical luxury hotel restaurant. Guests are invited to savour an unparalleled gastronomic experience that showcases the best of Italian cuisine—seasonal, home-styled, and, most importantly, delicious beyond belief.
The open kitchen at Passalacqua is a signature feature, where guests are welcomed to explore the cooking quarters, engage with the chefs about the menu, and perhaps indulge in traditional sweets. Embrace the country’s vibrant gastronomic culture as one would if staying in the home of an Italian friend.
With the kitchen overseen by Michelin-starred chef Viviana Varese, the grand villa cuisine is reminiscent of Italy’s great noble houses. Not only does she prepare standout dishes, but she is also present for guests every minute of the day, ready to delight, teach, comfort, and amaze.
Chef Viviana helms the central kitchen responsible for dishing out beautiful and scrumptious meals at Passalacqua. Guests simply choose when, what, and where they would like their meals within the expansive and beautiful villa grounds. Breakfast can be enjoyed at the bar terrace, offering stunning views of grand Lake Como, while lunch can be savoured at the eclectic greenhouse turned Double J pool bar. Perhaps a chic picnic hamper on a boat is more appealing? The options are endless. Guests can also indulge in candlelit dinners on the restaurant terrace or in the Sala Ovale beneath frescoed gods and goddesses. The choice is theirs.
Spa
Tucked into the historic villa’s foundations, the spa reveals itself in vaulted stone chambers, aglow with lanterns and chandeliers. There is also a secluded 18-metre indoor pool, lined with Palladian marble mosaics. Once a greenhouse, the pool gazes out over the gardens and the glimmering waters of Lake Como. Guests may reserve this tranquil pool for private use, whether for an afternoon of quiet reflection or an enchanting evening swim.
For those who prefer the open air, therapies can unfold in a garden pavilion, offering a true “farm-to-body” experience. Spa and wellness treatments are a luxurious treat here, allowing guests to enjoy facials and massages using wild and organic ingredients from Seed to Skin Tuscany.
Experiences
The private pier at the lake shore invites guests to explore Lake Como in style—whether for a quick dip or on one of the motor launches, the taxi boat Giumello, and the leisure craft Didi by Cantiere Colombo. The latest additions to their fleet include the elegant Riva Aquariva Passalacqua and the vintage wooden craft Riva Olympic.
Staying at Passalacqua grants guests an all-access pass to life at the villa. This includes making gelato with their master ice cream maker, swapping pruning tips with the gardeners, kneading pasta dough with one of the chefs, or perfecting a volo shot on the bocce court. The seasonal calendar of daily activities, included in every stay, reflects Passalacqua’s contemporary spin on the great tradition of Lake Como villeggiatura. A world of experiences is merely a chat with the concierge away.
Foray Travels is a bespoke luxury travel agency based in Singapore, Dubai, and New York, specialising in the finest luxury resort and hotel experiences. Revel in an unforgettable experience elevated by tailored services, specialised expertise, and exclusive privileges when entrusting Foray Travels to bring the world’s most exceptional hotels and resorts to you.
For Passalacqua offers, packages, bookings, or enquiries, please kindly request a quotation or contact our friendly concierge team via WhatsApp:
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