Grand Hotel Tremezzo

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo opened on 10 July 1910. It was built by Enea and Maria Gandola, who had moved across the lake from Bellagio with the idea of a hotel to rival the finest in Europe. More than sixty years later it passed to the De Santis family, owners since 1973, who have kept the art nouveau palace and its terraces while adding what a modern lake holiday asks for: a beach, a serious spa and a sense of play. The hotel closes each winter for refurbishment.

Water is the theme. The Water on the Water pool floats on the lake in front of T Beach, the hotel's private sand beach, and the Flowers Pool lies in the garden. A third, indoor-outdoor infinity pool belongs to the T Spa, which does not admit children and occupies the 18th century Villa Emilia, once the library of Villa Carlotta. Two private jetties serve the hotel's vintage speedboats, Bellagio lies directly across the water, and the public ferry stop is a two minute walk up the road.

Families find suites for two adults and two children, childcare on request and the Stay with Bobo passport, and dogs stay free of charge. Villa Carlotta is next door, and the hotel's own park of about five acres was once part of its botanical garden. Paths climb through palms and flower beds to a belvedere looking over to Varenna and Bellagio, and at the highest point stands an olive tree more than three hundred years old. The clay tennis court comes with coaches.