Villa Crespi: an Italian lake stay like no other

An ornate minaret rises over the shoreline of Lake Orta, the Cinderella (immense beauty shrouded by a reputation for industry) of the Italian lakes.

And it is a sight about as unexpected as a pumpkin on wheels amid the Alpine chalet architecture of the northern Italian foothills.

This fantastical notion is the crowning glory of Villa Crespi, the nineteenth century summer home of Italian textiles scion and avid art collector Cristoforo Crespi who commissioned it in 1879 to remind him of the buildings he had seen during his business trips to the Middle East.

He dedicated it to his wife, Pia and it became the summer residence for one of Italy’s most powerful families (Cristoforo’s son, Silvio, signed the Treaty of Versailles on behalf of Italy at the end of World War One).

(Francesca Pagliai)

In 1999 the building was taken over by Italian celebrity chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo who turned it into a spectacular luxury hotel and the base for a restaurant, which boasts three of his nine Michelin stars.

Style

Unlike anywhere else you’ve stayed. The Middle Eastern theme is a loose reimagination of Islamic architecture, rather than a faithful rendition but the ornate decoration runs throughout the meticulously restored building, from the grand exterior to the bathrooms in the rooms.

Think Brighton Pavillion and then dial up the saturation.

(Francesca Pagliai)

The common areas are all Moorish colonnade, fancy carved stucco and tiling. The 14 bedrooms (eight suites) feature elaborate parquet flooring, damask wallpaper, antique furniture, chandeliers and painted ceilings.

You’re a guest in an Orientalist nineteenth-century fantasy so strap in, embrace the maximalism and enjoy – easy enough thanks to the consummate Italian hospitality, peaceful lakeside location and access to the lake club and wellness facilities at nearby sister hotel, Laqua by the Lake.

Good to know

The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so you will have to make your own dinner arrangements.

(Francesca Pagliai)

Thanks to its Michelin stars and easy distance from Milan – just 45 minutes from Milan Malpensa airport – dinner can get booked up so do be sure to reserve a table if you are planning to incorporate a meal into your stay.

Tasting menus start at €290. The breakfast buffet is suitably laden with fruit, pastries, cheeses and cold cuts.

Be warned that on a quieter evening the bar was empty at 10pm when we returned from a stroll to Orta San Giulio in search of a nightcap and we had to search out a staff member who could rustle up a cocktail.

Shopping

You won’t capture the more-is-more of Villa Crespi with a gift shop purchase but you can buy into a little of the Cannavacciuolo culinary magic with a selection of branded foodie bits such as pasta and sauces and chocolates.

There’s also a selection of Alessi cookware (the legendary design brand’s factory is just around the lake).

How to book

From €384; villacrespi.it