Built on land originally owned by Pope Innocent XI, Villa Passalacqua was constructed in the 18th Century by Count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua, who brought his vision of making one of the largest and most spectacular villas on Lake Como come to life.

In the years that followed, the villa became a gathering place for some of Italy’s most prominent figures. Vincenzo Bellini made Villa Passalacqua his home in 1829, composing two of his most famous operas, Norma and Sonnambula. Nowadays Passalacqua has become the latest passion project for one of Italy’s most well-known hotelier families – Paolo, Antonella and Valentina De Santis. Sister property to the lake’s Grand Hotel Tremezzo – one of the world’s most iconic hotels – it will offer total privacy and magnificence as it opens its doors to guests in June 2022. Nowadays Passalacqua has become the latest passion project for one of Italy’s most well-known hotelier families – Paolo, Antonella and Valentina De Santis. Sister property to the lake’s Grand Hotel Tremezzo – one of the world’s most iconic hotels – Passalacqua will offer the highest level of service and seven-acre terraced grounds for just 24 accommodations all furnished uniquely to make every guest feel home. This family, rooted to Lake Como for generations, is bringing this mansion and its secular park back to life with love, respect and thoughtfulness recreating the vintage spirit of Passalacqua in all of its being. The hotel is just 10 minute away from Como town and very close to Milan airports and it will have the longest season on Lake Como including Christmas holidays. Passalacqua design is a tribute to Italianity: the owners have worked tirelessly with local artisans and small generations-old Italian companies to ensure that a sense of place, heritage and high quality craftsmanship resonated throughout the property.

The Hotel stands above the lakeside village of Moltrasio that spills down from the slopes of Mount Bisbino to the water’s northern shore in a jumble of elegant residences, humble cottages and ancient roads that have miraculously stood the test of time – every bit as stunning as the “vertical towns” of Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre. Aqua e pietra, the locals say, have made Moltrasio what it is today. Aqua, as in the lovely lake in every picture-postcard view and the mountain streams that create picturesque waterfalls and hydropower for the flour mills or olive oil presses of the past. Pietra, as in pietra moltrasina, that you find in everything from the well-trodden Scala Santa path along our eastern wall to the ornate artistic flourishes of villas like our own. Two elements that are resilient, hard-working and capable of great beauty.