Passalacqua Italy
Passalacqua
Via Besana 59, 22010 Moltrasio (Como), Italy
www.passalacqua.it
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
N/A
Shareholders
Privately owned
Date of Creation
1787
Hotel General Manager
Silvio Vettorello-
Silvio boasts extraordinary experience in five-star hôtellerie, he started working in the most exclusive hotels in Italy and Switzerland- Splendido e Splendido Mare in Portofino, the Savoy and Four Seasons in Florence, Hotel Des
Bergues in Geneva where he looked after politicians from the United Nations, heads of state, royal families..
In 2011 Vettorello returned to Italy for the pre-opening and opening of the Armani Hotel Milano as a Lifestyle Manager. In 2013 he joined the Grand Hotel Tremezzo family as Life-Style Manager, Operations Manager and since 2018 as General Manager of Grand Hotel Tremezzo.
Hotel Positioning
5 star luxury
Preferred – Legend
Development Strategy
The family’s vision for Passalacqua is to create a magnificent, timeless dwelling for travelers who wish to experience the unique charm of « vivere Italiano. » They are guardians of this extraordinary property and they have an ambition to give life to a new Lake Como icon that honours the past but is relevant for the centuries ahead. Guests will be treated to a fresh take on a classic Italian retreat, or ‘villeggiatura,’ as they bring this historic mansion back to its former grandeur.
PASSALACQUA
History & Story
This is the story about an extraordinary villa on the edge of Lake Como, standing above the village of Moltrasio, leading all the way down to the lake’s shore. This historic mansion has played host to some of the world’s most brilliant minds in music, literature, art and politics from Napoleon Bonaparte to Bellini to Winston Churchill.
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.
Date Renewal
After 3 years of renovation Passalacqua will re-open its doors on June 3rd 2022
Main Strengths, Special Touch
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.
Location
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.
Key sites/activities in the area
Every kind of lifestyle experience will be available. Couples can take romantic strolls through the rose garden or antique orchard, and groups of friends and families can cool off in the stunning swimming pool or improve their backhand at the lakeside tennis court. Additional features that will highlight the natural beauty of the villa will include an open-air gym located in the olive grove, as well outdoor spa treatments, sunrise yoga, and movie nights under the stars. Of course, no Lake Como residence would be complete without access to the lake, and Passalacqua has it covered with accommodations fit for the A-list crowd. The private villa will offer guests access to a private dock on the lake, complete with a selection of vintage boats you can choose from to sail through Lake Como in style.
Fun Facts
All the accommodations housed in the main residence La Villa bear the women’s names who have been part somehow of Bellini’s life or have been included in their operas and the guests will be fascinating by the secrets behind their incredible stories.
Children’s Corner
Passalacqua is a great place for families as we have plenty of things for children to do and every guest is truly important to us. We offer a complete range of nice amenities including a dedicated check in, a children welcome kit and some dedicated activities such as kids cooking classes, mountain biking, pic-nic in the gardens with the Passalacqua’s mascotte, kids water sports, tennis & bocce lessons and much more to discover.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites: 9 exclusive suites all with an amazing lake view; the minimum size of this category room is about 60 square meters. The Suite Bellini is the largest suite available on Lake Como’s shores including the music room with a double height vaulted ceilings where Bellini used to play piano and a five metre Murano chandelier exclusively designed for Passalacqua by Barovier&Toso
• Number of Luxury rooms: 15 unique accommodations
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 24 accommodations in total that are housed in three different buildings: the grand Villa, the historical Pus Palazz and the romantic Casa al Lago, nestled in the lush gardens. Every room and suite has a spacious bathroom with a bath tub and a separate walking shower.
At Passalacqua, we curate every single detail from the heart, with one eye on our rich
heritage and the other focused on the future, creating new, authentic memories that
connect us with our shared past. Every single aspect of the property’s interiors has been personally overseen and curated with no one suite being the same.
Restaurants & Bars
Our unique approach to dining invites guests to enjoy Italian delicacies when, where and just the way they like: choose from a variety of relaxed dining spaces indoors and out, find a farm-to table tasting or cooking experience to try, drop by and see what the team is up to in our open, all-day kitchens, help yourself to a jar of old-timey sweets – the possibilities are endless…
Chef Elio Sironi, famous for his “spaghetti al pomodoro”, is designing the seasonally changing menus and guests are encouraged to visit the kitchens and speak to the team to discuss their delicacies for the day, bearing freshly foraged vegetables to contribute to the meal or partake in an ad hoc pasta making session. All are invited to choose their own location to dine within the property, whether that might be on one of the terraces, in the Rose Garden or down by the lake – staff will be on hand to set up tables accordingly, the idea is to have an extremely personalised dining experience. All this with a unique wish: taste the most delicious local flavours that Italy has to offer.
Wellness
Our lavish wellness program is designed to restore the mind, body and soul. We offer relaxation and treatment rooms in the Pus Palazz, with rituals inspired by the lake’s magic and the products of renowned wellness doctor Barbara Sturm. A secret staircase leads to a one-of-a-kind spa experience in the Turkish bath and sauna housed our 18th-century underground tunnel. There will be also an open-air gym located in an olive grove and we will offer yoga at sunrise every morning in the rose garden.
Corporate & Celebration Events
To maintain the exclusivity and that sense of place and not ruin the atmosphere and the original spirit of Passalacqua the property will be available for individual stays only.
Extra Notable Features
A place of wonder created from the heart,
A celebration of lake and life.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
N/A, newly opened
Number of employees
100