After not being able to travel abroad for over 2 years due to Covid, I wanted to make my first trip back to Europe extra special. I had been to Lake Como several times before, but had only stayed at Airbnb, and had always dreamed of staying at Grand Hotel Tremezzo one day.
If you have ever been to Lake Como, you have certainly seen this stunningly beautiful hotel while cruising along the lake. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is an iconic Art Nouveau masterpiece located on the western shore of Lake Como in the small town of Tremezzo.
With views across the sparkling waters towards Bellagio and the Grigne Mountains, guests enjoy premium accommodation, three swimming pools, a private lakeside beach, clay tennis courts and a sumptuous private park, all served by the warmest of Italian hospitality.
Since this stay was a splurge and the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a boutique hotel and not affiliated with any hotel loyalty program, I booked through Hotels. com to take advantage of their 10th night free rewards program.
We stayed in a Park Prestige room – the cheapest type of accommodation in the hotel – and still paid close to $1,200 a night at the end of May. Knowing that any flight delays or cancellations would cost me a pretty penny if our flight to Milan didn’t arrive on time, I paid for this stay with my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, which has fantastic travel insurance coverage.
I could also have booked this stay with my American Express Platinum card through the Fine Hotels and Resorts Collection and I would have earned 5X points on this stay.
For those unfamiliar with Amex’s FHR program, it offers many benefits at many luxury hotels around the world, such as:
- Room upgrade, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast for two
- Late check-out at 4 p.m. guaranteed
- Check-in at noon, subject to availability
- free WIFI
- “Experience Credit”, such as a spa or food and beverage voucher
I chose to stay with Hotels.com for my reservation for several reasons.
First, properties in the Amex FHR Collection must be prepaid, in order to qualify for the 5X earning and receive the hotel benefits above. Also, free WiFi and breakfast were already included in the price of my Hotels.com booking, and early check-in and late check-out for this particular stay would not have worked with my travel schedule.
Also, I knew the hotel was fully booked in advance, as I had the last available room bookable on the many sites I searched, so I knew a room upgrade would not have been in the maps for me this trip.
Overall, not having to prepay and still earning 3X on my CSR combined with the Hotels.com rewards program discount was a more attractive booking option for me in the end.
The Park Prestige room was divinely appointed and the attention to detail in decor, furnishings etc. was fabulous and worthy of a 5 star.
The view of the lush gardens and the smell of fresh jasmine permeated the room and more than made up for not having a lakeside room. Although it’s hard to find any cons, I will say that the room was a bit small and we found ourselves bumping into our luggage, which we had to spread on the floor as the storage space was tight.
Also, the shower/tub combo was slippery and difficult to get in and out of, so I’d be careful about choosing this particular room type if you’re traveling with companions who have mobility issues.
I had never stayed on this side of Lake Como before – always stayed in Bellagio or very close to Bellagio on the east side – and really enjoyed being able to base myself and explore more of the lovely towns on the western shores.
The hotel is perfectly located between the 2 ferry stops of Tremezzo and Villa Carlotta, the Villa Carlotta ferry stop being only 2-3 minutes walk from the hotel.
Included in the nightly rate is one of the most amazing hotel breakfasts I have ever experienced in my life.
I’m talking about a chocolate fountain, a truffle bar, a mimosa bar, made-to-order eggs, waffles and pancakes, and so much more.
If you can’t find something you like at this hotel’s breakfast, you don’t even have to eat! Everything from bread to pastries and beyond was freshly baked daily and served with the most welcoming smiles from the fabulous dining room staff.
And I mean come on, being able to eat an incredibly delicious breakfast on that terrace overlooking Lake Como – I mean what a way to start your day!
Now, the main reason I had always dreamed of staying at this hotel was to experience the incredible floating pool of Lake Como, and let me tell you, the experience did not disappoint!
Being able to ‘swim’ in Lake Como without having to step into the cold water of the lake was quite exciting and lived up to the hype IMO.
But not only was the floating pool a real delight, but the Garden Pool was also a dream! We also spent many afternoons in this pool, and it was much quieter and very serene, and the delicious scent of jasmine made it the perfect place to relax after a busy morning of sightseeing.
Plus, the beach club right by the lake also felt like something out of a movie, and sitting on the shore, sunbathing and drinking Aperol Spritz during happy hour was another trip highlight for me!
I wish I had known about the hotel’s wonderful tennis facilities in advance, as their courts were immaculate and tucked into the hills of the garden.
I only met him one day on a walk in the garden, and I so wish I had set aside time one day to play – even if it was only an hour.
Finally, I also highly recommend enjoying an evening or two at the piano bar on the lake.
The pianist was phenomenal and sitting at night listening to him play while watching the lights of Bellagio twinkle over Lake Como was one of the most romantic settings!
After a few glasses of wine, be sure to play at least a game of pool in the superb billiard room. Unfortunately I don’t have pictures of the piano bar or the fabulous pool room, but trust me it’s worth a visit.
I can’t say enough good things about the Grand Hotel Tremezzo! It was a true 5 star experience in every way, and I can only hope to return on another trip to Lake Como. If you can afford to splurge to stay here, believe me, you won’t regret it!
Is it getting better?
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