Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como

Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como was once the residence of 19th-century opera singer Giuditta Pasta. Today, old and new combine as eighteenth and nineteenth-century buildings now sit alongside modern touches.

Seventy-five rooms are housed in seven villas. Most have a balcony, terrace, or private garden. Rich colors and sumptuous fabrics throughout the bedrooms and public rooms create a Baroque feel. Two private villas on the shores of the lake have their own staff. The three-bedroom Norma is ideal for families while Amina is a fantastic one-bedroom option for honeymooners.

The huge spa at the CastaDiva has a relaxation area complete with a glass floor enabling guests to see through to an ancient dock below. There’s also relaxation and a hydrotherapy pool, Swedish sauna, ice cascade, and a Turkish bath.

As the sun goes down, sip a drink on the Bellini Bar’s terrace or at the Pool Bar. Follow with dinner – enjoyed at the romantic candlelit L’Orangerie restaurant, or in the privacy of your room, the backdrop will always be the sparkling blue waters of Lake Como.