Villa Altrove

New Luxe on Lake Como

This generous lakefront villa’s updated interior design favors a simple, natural palette of wood, stone, and clay, infusing the 200+-year-old residence with a minimalist, modern-luxe atmosphere, putting focus on its magnificent Lago di Como location, accessible only by boat or foot.

Transformed into a tranquil natural retreat, the subtle redesign creates an ambiance of total relaxation, allowing guests to immerse instantly into a dreamy world of simple beauty. Awash in muted hues, soothing natural materials and contemporary Italian design pieces, the minimalist spaces are flooded with natural light reflecting off luxurious Lago di Como, infusing the residence with a minimalist, modern-luxe atmosphere. 

The stately, 18th-century property dominates a verdant slice of hilly waterfront, anchored by a glamorous, lakeside dining terrace, a sizable swimming pool, vast private gardens and an elegantly arching entrance directly out to the lake to explore its shores on one of the villa's paddle boards. A unique cinema carved into the estate’s Moltrasio rock formation seats up to 22, and there's a large separate gym (pilates machines, fight camp, treadmill, bike, stepper) adding to the amenities.

For ultimate comfort, guests are looked after by the villa manager, a full-time, private butler, private chef and housekeeping staff. Uninterrupted views of the legendary lake are framed in every window, and the villa is awash in natural light that ignites each evening at sunset.

AROUND

Occupying an exclusive, eastern shore location in the town of Pognana Lario, between bespoke Como and Belaggio, this villa is delightfully off Lake Como’s immediate tourist path, a privileged placement that ensures privacy and absolute calm as well as ease of access to two of the lake’s top communities. With Lago di Como best explored by water, guests have a private, Venetian style taxi boat with captain at their disposal at all times on the estate’s private dock for touring the luxurious waters, taking in the historic Villa Balbianello, the charmed town square at Torno, and even stopping for a meal at the Il Crotto del Misto trattoria. The property's selection of e-mountain bikes, available guided or solo,  offer excursions in the authentic back country of Lake Como's dramatic mountains, with unparalleled views on noteworthy villages such as Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna. Exploring the region on foot is also made easy given the property’s access to the historic hiking route from Como to Bellagio, along pathways dotted by Roman ruins, medieval towers, Renaissance palaces and lushly manicured private gardens. Both Como and Bellagio are reachable by boat within a quarter-to-half hour, and the property offers two private parking spots within 400 meters via a pedestrian stairway. Watersports enthusiasts can wake or paddleboard on Lake Como’s vast waters, and the lake can inspire meditative pursuits, too, such as waterfront yoga, an Ayurvedic massage in the villa's shaded gardens, or a luxury spa visit to The Mandarin Oriental in nearby Torno.

Known for its beauty and its star-studded residences, luxe Lake Como offers all the glitter and glam you could want in its waterfront restaurants and villas, monuments, and palazzi. Shopping is a draw, at stores both boutique and artisanal, and exclusive enclaves worth exploring include the legendary communities of Bellagio, Varenna, and Como. Outdoor adventures also draw vacationers in the area. Boat tours, hiking, designated foot and cycling paths and countless inlets for swimming and splashing offer ample athletic options, and Lake Como is a preeminent culinary destination, offering inventive flavors from the haute cuisine to the more humble, paired with pours from local wine cellars and tasting rooms offering vintages to complement the meals.

LOCATION

Nearest airport: Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate and Lugano, each 1 hour; Bergamo, 1 1/2 hours

BEST TIME TO VISIT: April to October