The Il Sereno, Lago di Como hotel, which opened in August 2016, is a high-end establishment designed by Patricia Urquiola in collaboration with Fabio Curcio Valentini. Ranked near the top of the New York Times’ list of the 25 best hotels in the world to visit in 2016, one bonus of its location is the opportunity to arrive directly at the hotel by boat, allowing guests to admire the captivating magic of Lake Como.
The structure took five years to build, and is located on the site of the old Villa Flora hotel, of which only the lakefront wall remains.
The natural environment, which combines the beauty of the lake and the allure of the mountains, provided the inspiration for the choice of materials: wood and Moltrasio stone, along with copper and textiles, are the main features of the design. The 30-room hotel has a swimming pool a stone’s throw from the shore and a spa, currently being completed, and offers every form of comfort, including a small fleet of boats built exclusively for the hotel by Cantiere Ernesto Riva.
Some of the sophisticated furnishings were designed especially for the hotel, like the Lariana free-standing bath tub by Agape.
The grand lobby is dominated by a Fontanot staircase made of fine Canaletto walnut wood, with steps enclosed in a series of copper pipes, making them look like they are suspended in mid-air. This new, custom-made design saw the company, following three important projects in Milan – the Bosco Verticale, Allianz Tower and Unicredit Pavilion – make its mark on one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world.
Another tailor-made Fontanot staircase was erected next to the lift, leading to the building’s various floors.
The structure is rounded off by the greenery of the vertical gardens and botanical sculptures, with three projects curated by French botanist Patrick Blanc. The largest garden, featuring over 2,000 different plants, was installed on the side of the building facing the lake, and seems to reflect its colours, leading to its name Miroir Vert du Lac.
