The Italian Lakes are always a good idea. But for your next dose of La Dolce Vita, nix tourist flocked Lake Como and head to the less-trodden lakeside town of Stresa. Here, ultra glamorous Hotel Villa & Palazzo Aminta, a 20th-century bygone private residence turned 71-room fairytale perches above Lake Maggiore’s shimmering shores rivaling the best Italian Lake landscapes (think: eye-popping watercolor come to life!). And with Spring in full bloom now’s the time to beeline for this luxurious Lake Maggiore beaut, here’s why:
Hello, Italian Lakeside-Induced Trance! From its enchanting hillside estate flowering with pink, purple and blue azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons, this Belle Epoque hideaway’s lakeside splendor spans the snowcapped Italian pre-Alps to the lush Swiss bluffs.
Seriously, you couldn’t score more gasp-worthy vistas, snagging the only spot to smack-dab front the beautiful Borromean Islands—a smattering of Italian islets with terracotta-roofed villages, castles and dreamy gardens—surrounded by glistening Lake Maggiore.
Thankfully, the property’s exquisitely manicured grounds are primed with oodles of picturesque spots to ogle the surreal scene whether strolling its private lakefront park; gawking bird’s eye from your balcony; or sipping Chianti on the al fresco terrace. Trust, the beauty never ceases to amaze.
Old-World Opulence Never Looked So Darn Good. Ripped from the storybooks, this wildly elegant and embellished palazzo is a breathtaking testament to its Belle Epoque heritage. Dripping with palatial razzle-dazzle—from fanciful wrought ironed balconies to “once upon a time” royal décor—there’s no denying you’re sleeping in the ultimate luxury fairytale here.
Expect every inch gilded, frilled, and bejeweled with impeccable style. Magnificent mosaic and terrazzo floors meet stained-glassed skylights, marble Roman columns, gorgeous antiques, frescoed artworks, plush kingly furnishings, hand-painted, intricately carved ceilings and Murano glass chandeliers galore. Add in the achingly romantic lakeside Maggiore setting—and it’s paradise found.
Live (and Feast!) in the Lap of Italian Luxury. Blame it on the buttoned-up, old fashioned white-uniformed waiters; the live piano player tickling classical on the baby grand; or the ridiculously sumptuous rooms—varying ornate designs with every imaginable comfort from canopied beds to two-story suites boasting awe-inspiring lakefront balconies—you won’t find any stress in this serene Stresa hideaway.
You can lounge poolside fringed by Italian palms; bliss out in the golden-tiled natural cave spa with steam bath, ice waterfall, Turkish bath and sensory showers; or dine like royalty in the sun-drenched Le Isole with huge picture windows overlooking the glorious lake panorama. (Tip: Don’t miss the lavish breakfast buffet with the freshest Italian meats, made-to-order omelets, and house-made pastries!). Or notch up your palette in arguably the world’s prettiest Italian restaurant I Mori, the palazzo’s stunning wrought iron and crystal-bedecked indoor gazebo with 360-degree views.
Stephanie Orma is an American writer and illustrator based in Bordeaux, France. Follow her adventures on Twitter and Instagram.
