Il Sereno — Lake Como, Italy
The vertiginous topography of Lake Como, in the southern Italian Alps, is home to a new hotel. Perched on the lake’s eastern shore, Il Sereno Lago di Como is a sister property to the Christian Liaigre-designed Le Sereno Saint-Barthélemy in the Caribbean.
This time, the cultured hand of Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola has been involved in every detail of the new property. The ‘absolutely clean’ architecture is a series of loggias topped by a flat garden roof, inspired by the modernist Casa del Fascio, designed by Italian architect Giuseppe Terragni, while the interiors have a subtle connection to the surroundings. ‘What guests see from the view – the water, stone, greenery or boats – is reflected in the interiors of the hotel,’ says Urquiola. ‘I have tried to integrate the identity of the place in a contemporary way.’
This is evident in the use of local stone Ceppo di Gré and Pietra di Fossena, in the walnut used for rough-cut wall panels, and in the subtle palette of earthy greys and browns, accented with a few greens. Enhancing the link between indoors and out are architectural elements such as the black steel balustrade mesh, which is repeated in the interiors and in the silicone-jointed decking of the hotel’s three Riva boats, made at the brand’s boatyard on the neighbouring Lake Iseo. Furnishings, meanwhile, include select pieces from Urquiola’s own portfolio of designs for Italian brands such as Cassina, Kettal, Molteni, B&B Italia and Moroso, which serve to expand the local connection. ‘I am very proud to be using them,’ says Urquiola. Specially commissioned for the hotel are door handles by Olivari, Axor Hansgrohe taps, lighting by Flos and the ‘Lariana’ bathtub by Agape.
Guests arrive at a 20ft-tall entrance door through gardens planted by vertical garden inventor Patrick Blanc, who has also installed three works of art featuring thousands of plants. A walkway looks down on the lake-level restaurant, Ristorante Berton Al Lago, and the 18m infinity pool, which, set along part of the resort’s 140m shoreline, drops directly into the lake and is complemented by a private beach. The restaurant is reached by descending a staircase of ‘floating’ walnut treads surrounded by a forest of copper-bronze metal rods. Milanese Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton prepares a menu that offers rich local Lombardian produce along with wines from the Valtellina valley.
‘There is no “wow” effect,’ says Urquiola, who instead points to a more subtle emotional response. ‘Guests should feel everything is in its place and there is nothing more than necessary.’ Indeed, nothing is left to chance: the architect has even thought to design scarves, woven from locally spun silk, for the staff uniforms.
As originally featured in the November 2016 issue of Wallpaper* (W*212)
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
Via Torrazza, 10, Torno
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Derek Jarman's House: Inside Prospect Cottage
A new book shines a spotlight inside Derek Jarman's Dungeness 'escape house'
By Caragh McKay Published
-
Warren Street Hotel is a colourful marvel in downtown Tribeca
The Warren Street Hotel boasts a distinct blue façade by Stonehill Taylor and eclectic interiors by Kit Kemp Design Studio
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Herbar’s barrier cream repairs skin damage using medicinal mushrooms
Herbar has launched The Barrier Cream, which harnesses the healing power of mushrooms and adaptogens to repair, soothe and protect the skin barrier
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
Palazzo Roma embodies the heritage of Roman noblesse
Palazzo Roma, part of the Shedir Collection, boasts eclectic and eccentric interiors by Giampiero Panepinto
By Luke Abrahams Published
-
Trattoria del Ciumbia adds flavour to Milan’s Brera district
Trattoria del Ciumbia, with interiors by Dimorestudio, is hot on Italian specials – from design to pasta
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Odles Lodge pairs chalet minimalism with dramatic mountain views in South Tyrol
Odles Lodge, designed by Asaggio Architects, is a pared-back South Tyrol retreat pulling nature into focus
By Stephanie Gavan Published
-
The Place Firenze is the place to be in Florence
The Place Firenze is a sophisticated hotel offering a front-row seat to Florence’s attractions
By Daven Wu Published
-
Tour Feudi di San Gregorio, a vineyard in Campania, Italy, where wine meets design
Feudi di San Gregorio offers a chance to explore Italian winemaking in surroundings shaped by design and art collaborations
By Maria Cristina Didero Published
-
Villa Ponti Bellavista is a Gio Ponti revival for rent on Lake Como
Villa Ponti Bellavista is a stylish midcentury villa in the clouds, originally designed in collaboration with Gio Ponti and recently renovated
By Catherine Fairweather Published
-
10 colourful hotels to inspire your 2024 escapes
10 colourful hotels to discover in 2024, from dream-like mountain retreats to design-led city escapes, selected by Wallpaper* travel editor Sofia de la Cruz
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
The revitalised Caruso Nuovo Bistrot celebrates Milan’s culinary and design mastery
Caruso Nuovo Bistrot returns with new interiors by Dimore Studio and a new team headed by chef Gennaro Esposito and executive chef Francesco
By Maria Cristina Didero Published