Passalacqua
- ITALY
- Sep 2
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 14
Standing proudly in the quaint lakeside village of Moltrasio just fifteen minutes from Como town, Passalacqua, a private home since 1787, has been transformed into a once-in-a-century hotel. This luxury lake COMO hotel also received the No. 1 Hotel on the 2023 edition of the World's Best Hotels List.
Enter the gates and enjoy the simple pleasures of life, seeking inspiration from every corner of this wonderfully decorated hotel. Passalacqua once hosted esteemed guests like Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill to Vincenzo Bellini, who composed some of his most famous operas here, a testament to the rich culture and history the property holds within its walls.
Each of the 24 unique accommodations embodies the enviable lakeside lifestyle that has made Lake Como so beloved through the ages. Dine in meticulously designed and furnished venues that delight, and 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 embodies the enviable lakeside lifestyle
Rooms grand Villa, the ancient Palazz or the romantic Casa al Lago, nestled in the lush gardens
Every detail curated from the heart, preserving both the rich heritage of the rooms and looking to the future
Dining
Indulge yourself in romantic gourmet dinners, informal al fresco lunches and breezy light Italian plates
Drop by and take a look at what the chefs are up to at their open, all day kitchens
Enjoy a chicnic on a boat as you take in the expansive breathtaking views of Lake Como
Winter Garden: a former greenhouse expertly transformed into an all-day bar, designed by Milan-based JJ Martin of La DoubleJ
Wellness
Relaxation and treatment rooms in the Palazz, with rituals inspired by the lake’s magic and featuring products from Tuscan skincare line Seed to Skin
One-of-a-kind spa experience in the steam bath, sauna and indoor pool housed in our 18th-century underground tunnel
Participate in yoga and fitness activities amongst magnolia trees along Lake Como
Greenhouse turned gym next to the waterfront is fitted with the latest equipment, for the perfect workout-with-a-view
Experiences and Services
The concept of "la villeggiatura"—the unhurried, soulful Italian holiday retreat—is alive here.
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 take to Lake Como in style by boat
Passalacqua Location
Close enough to Como town for convenience, yet tucked away in 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. Palassacqua also has a private jetty located at the edge of the villa, turning your leisure boat ride dreams into reality. The villa is perfectly positioned for exploring Lake Como’s icons like Bellagio, Cernobbio, and Tremezzo. Add in the sweeping hillside and lakefront views, and Passalacqua offers a setting that is as romantic as it is convenient.
Accommodation
The rooms at Palassacqua are spread out over three areas: the Palazz, Villa and the Casa al Lago. Each with their own unique and unforgettable characteristics, they have been restored with love and respect by the De Santis family, choosing each feature and designing 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 is home to the luxurious spa as well as eight cozy rooms 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 have 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 room; interconnected rooms available on request
Embrace the garden, 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 with their precious silk lampshades and sapient fin de siècle design touches.
Grand Rooms hark back to an age when bathrooms too were thought of as 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 splendor 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, precious vases perched on golden sconces – these are just a few of the rich details scattered variously around 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, spread across a spacious open-plan bedroom and living space that gives onto a private-dining patio and a verdant garden perched above the lake.
Lined with soft grey marble, the deliciously operatic bathrooms afford the delicious 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 connects 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 planned such that it is unlike one at a typical luxury hotel restaurant. Experience an unparalled gastronomic experience that give you the chance to savour the best of Italian cuisine thats seasonal, home-styled and most importantly, delicious beyond belief.
The open kitchen at Passalaqua is a signature, where guests are welcomed to explore the cooking quarters, chat with the chefs about what's on the menu, and perhaps treat themselves to traditional sweets. Embrace the country’s vibrant gastronomic culture just as you would if you were staying in the house of an Italian friend.
With the kitchen overseen by Michelin-starred chef Viviana Varese, grand villa cuisine, as practiced in Italy’s great noble houses: not only preparing standout dishes but being there for guests, every minute of the day, to delight, teach, comfort and amaze.
Chef Viviana helms the one central kitchen that is in charge of dishing out the beautiful and scrumptious meals in Passalacqua. All guests have to do is to choose when, what and where they would like their meals in the expansive and beautiful villa grounds. Have breakfast at the bar terrace where you can get great views of the grand Lake Como, lunch at the eclectic greenhouse turned Double J pool bar or maybe take a chic-nic hamper on a boat? It doesn't just stop there. Indulge yourself and dine in the candlelit restaurant terrace or in the Sala Ovale beneath frescoed gods and goddesses for dinner. The choice is yours.
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 even unfold in a garden pavilion, a true “farm-to-body” experience. Spa and wellness is a luxurious treat here, and guests can 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 take to Lake Como in style – for a quick dip or on one of the motor launches, the taxi boat Giumello and the leisure craft Didi by Cantiere Colombo and the latest additions to their fleet: the elegant Riva Aquariva Passalacqua and the vintage wooden craft Riva Olympic.
Staying at Passalacqua gives guests an all-access pass to life at the villa, whether that means making gelato with their master ice cream maker, swapping pruning tips with the gardeners, kneading pasta dough with one of our chefs or perfecting your volo shot on the bocce court. The seasonal calendar of daily activities, included in every stay, reflect Passalacqua’s contemporary spin on the great tradition of Lake Como villeggiatura. A world of experiences is just a chat with the concierge away.
Foray Travels is a bespoke luxury travel agency based in Singapore, Dubai and New York that specialises in the finest luxury resort & hotel experiences for discerning travellers. Revel in an unforgettable experience elevated by tailored services, specialised expertise, and exclusive privileges when you entrust us 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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