Grand Hotel Tremezzo Review: La Dolce Vita by Lake Como

“When you write the story of two happy lovers, let the story be set on the banks of Lake Como”

— Franz Liszt

Imagine waking up to the sparkling blue waters of Lake Como with the Alps as your backdrop—sounds like a dream, right? Welcome to the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, where that dream has been coming to life since 1910.

Located on the western shore of Lake Como, directly facing the famous village of Bellagio, the hotel has long been one of the most iconic places to stay in the region. Built during the golden age of grand European hotels, the property quickly became a favorite among aristocrats, artists, and celebrities looking for a glamorous escape by the lake.

Over the decades, the hotel has welcomed its share of famous guests—from royalty to Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo, George Clooney, and Robert De Niro. With its striking Art Nouveau façade, lush gardens, and panoramic lake views, it’s easy to see why the Grand Hotel Tremezzo has maintained its reputation as one of Lake Como’s most legendary hotels.

Standing on the terrace myself and looking out over the lake toward Bellagio, I could immediately understand the appeal. Few places manage to capture that classic Italian glamour quite like this one.

But with a reputation that spans more than a century—and a price tag to match—the big question remains: is the Grand Hotel Tremezzo really worth all the hype?

Let’s take a closer look.

Here we go! Let’s determine if staying here is worth it while we cover all aspects of the hotel, from the rooms to the location:

The Location

Let’s talk location—because at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, it’s all about the views. The drive to the hotel is like a mini adventure, soaking in all the scenery along the way. From Milan, it’s roughly an hour and a half on the road, while Lugano in Switzerland is just a short 45-minute drive. Also, The hotel offers a valet service, so parking is a breeze. If you're flying in, Milan Malpensa Airport is your best bet, about a 90-minute drive away.

If you want to explore the villages around Lake Como, the hotel is a perfect base for day trips to spots like Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio. You can easily hop on a ferry right from the village of Tremezzo to visit these places.

Just a little heads-up — while the hotel is right on the water, there’s actually a street you’ll need to cross to get to the lakeside. It’s nothing to worry about but It’s just one of those details that Instagram photos tend to gloss over.

The Rooms

The rooms at Grand Hotel Tremezzo are beautifully designed, but our experience in the Park View Deluxe Room was a little different from what you might expect from such a grand property. We had just come from Belmond Hotel Splendido, where we had splurged on a sea-view room, so this time we decided to save a little and enjoy the famous Lake Como views from the restaurants and terraces instead of from the room itself.

I’ll be honest: the room was on the smaller side and not especially spacious. There also weren’t many practical places to put luggage or spread things out, which you notice if you’re staying with more than one suitcase. That said, it was still very manageable for a short stay. And while it wasn’t a lake-view room, you’re certainly not staring at a car park either—the outlook over the pool and inner gardens was lovely and still felt very much in keeping with the hotel’s glamorous atmosphere.

What the room may have lacked in size, it made up for in character. The design details were charming, with thoughtful touches like the television rising from the foot of the bed, which added to the old-school luxury feel. The bathroom was especially impressive, finished in marble with both a standalone shower and a bathtub.

One detail I really loved was the bath products. The scent is created specifically for the hotel, and it’s one of those small touches that quietly elevates the whole stay. I’d definitely recommend taking the leftover bottles home—they’re too good to waste.

It’s also worth knowing that Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a large hotel, and you feel that in the layout. There are long corridors and many rooms, so it has more of a grand resort feel than an intimate boutique property. Still, the bed was extremely comfortable, which always matters most at the end of the day.

The Restaurant

When it comes to dining at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, you’ve got a few different options depending on your mood.

Let’s start with La Terrazza, as it’s both the hotel’s best-known restaurant and where breakfast is served each morning. The setting is beautiful, with sweeping views over Lake Como, and waking up to that view alone already feels special. Inside, the main dining room is transformed into a huge buffet spread with everything from pastries and fruit to cheeses and lighter options. You can also walk into the kitchen area and order warmer dishes made fresh. I really liked breakfast here—it felt like an experience in itself rather than just a meal.

In the evening, the same space becomes the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Honestly, though, while the setting is undeniably lovely, I wasn’t blown away by the food. It was good, but not nearly as memorable as I had hoped, especially compared with some of the more casual dining options at the hotel.

At T Pizza, located by the pool, you can order homemade pizza straight from a real pizza oven and pair it with a cocktail while lounging by the water—or even from the pool itself. It’s relaxed, easy, and exactly the kind of lunch spot you want on a sunny day.

For something a little more scenic, there’s T Bar at the front of the hotel, with beautiful lake views and a great cocktail menu. It’s a lovely place for a pre-dinner drink or to sit for a while and enjoy the setting.

Across the street on the lakefront is Giacomo al Lago, a more casual restaurant right by the water. The pasta dishes there were fantastic, but because it’s such a popular place, the service felt a little rushed, so it wasn’t the most relaxed experience. That said, the food and the views were lovely, so I still really enjoyed it. If you’re not staying at the hotel, I’d definitely recommend making a reservation. It was packed when we arrived, and hotel guests seemed to have a small number of tables held back for them. Since we were staying there, we let the hostess know and were seated without much fuss.

My advice? Come to La Terrazza for breakfast and the view, then head to T Pizza or Giacomo al Lago when you want the meal itself to be the main event.

The Amenities

When it comes to amenities, Grand Hotel Tremezzo gets it very right. This is one of those hotels where you could happily spend the whole day on the property and not feel like you’re missing out.

The pool on the lake is every bit as good as it looks in photos. Just keep in mind that it’s filled with fresh lake water, so it can be a little cold. Still, swimming there is such a fun experience that it’s worth it. Right next to it, there are loungers on a small sandy stretch, which gives it a bit of a beach-club feel without needing an actual beach.

Then there’s the main pool in the gardens, which is probably the one you’ve seen all over Instagram. It’s surrounded by greenery and feels tucked away, even though the hotel itself is large. Staff come by with towels, and you can order drinks and food straight to your lounger. An Aperol Spritz here just made sense. If you want something more filling, this is also where T Pizza is located.

There’s also a spa area inside the hotel with a smaller pool and a jacuzzi. It has glass walls that can open or close depending on the weather, which is a smart touch. It rained for a few hours during our stay, so we were very happy this existed, as there wasn’t much else to do at that point.

But the best activity, in my opinion, is renting a boat and heading out onto Lake Como. Seeing the towns and villas from the water is a completely different experience and one of those things you remember afterwards. We booked through the hotel, which was very easy, but definitely expensive—we paid around €700 for an hour, if I remember correctly. You do get a bottle of prosecco on board, which was a nice touch. If that feels a bit steep, I’d probably look at options through GetYourGuide instead. Either way, getting out on the water is something I’d really recommend.

The Verdict

I really enjoyed my stay at Grand Hotel Tremezzo and completely understand why it has such a strong reputation. The location is hard to beat, the views around the property are beautiful, and there’s a lot to enjoy once you’re there. Between the pools, the restaurants, and that boat ride on Lake Como, it’s the kind of place where it’s very easy to have a memorable stay. That boat trip alone ended up being one of the highlights of our entire time on the lake.

The rooms were comfortable, the staff was friendly and helpful throughout our stay, and overall the service was good. That said, because the hotel is quite large and popular, it didn’t always feel as calm or personal as I expected for this price point. At times, things felt a little busy and slightly rushed, rather than slow and ultra-relaxing.

I’d also be honest about the dining: while La Terrazza has an incredible setting and one of the best views at the hotel, I wasn’t blown away by the food itself. It was good, but not as memorable as I had hoped. In my opinion, T Pizza and Giacomo al Lago were stronger options overall—and noticeably cheaper too.

If you love classic grand hotels with plenty of atmosphere and lots going on, I think you’ll have a great time here. If you usually prefer smaller boutique properties with a quieter, more intimate feel, this may not be the perfect fit. For me, it was a very enjoyable stay, and I’m glad I experienced it, but compared with some other hotels in the same luxury category, I didn’t fully get that exclusive feeling I thought I would.

Still, if staying at an iconic Lake Como hotel with famous pools and postcard views is high on your list, Grand Hotel Tremezzo absolutely delivers on that front.

I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions. Happy Travels!

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