By all accounts, the low budget hotel built at the turn of the last century by the shores of Lake Orta – an hour’s drive from Milan – was fairly nondescript, but Piero Lissoni saw potential, if not in the building itself, then certainly in its waterside setting.
The decision to create Casa Fantini here was something of a no-brainer. It is, after all, a breathtakingly beautiful spot that the Milanese are understandably loathe to talk about, much less publicise.
To create the new boutique property, Lissoni fused the original building with a new low-rise sheathed in thin timber slats, and turned the perspectives of both towards the water, so that each of the 11 rooms empties its occupants outwards onto a terrace or balcony towards views of the island of San Giulio, lake, mountains, and sky.
This triumvirate of natural elements is quietly reflected in the landscaping and interiors, which are also the work of Lissoni – garden trails that lead to an outdoor lap pool are embedded with grey beola stone, a wall of blue glass in each room literally reflects the natural tableau, while a private garden overlooks Lake Orta itself.
There is, for now, no restaurant, which is as good an excuse as any to explore the area which is replete with picnic spots, hiking trails, wineries, artisanal shops, and good restaurants in Orta San Giulio.
ADDRESS
Piazza Motta Angolo via Roma 2
-
Ferrari hopes to recapture the grand tourer crown with the striking new Ferrari AmalfiThe new Ferrari Amalfi coasts into view, a classically beautifully V8-powered GT that features a host of upgrades to aesthetics and tech within a minimal, uncluttered silhouette
-
Puiforcat brings something new to the table with a wooden cutlery setJasper Morrison's collection for Puiforcat features cherry wood cutlery finished with fuki-urushi lacquering, a first foray into wood for the silverware company
-
A clifftop Rethymno house tells a story, framing views as far as the Libyan SeaThis house in Rethymno on the Greek island of Crete, designed by architects Gkotsis Serafimidou, is rich in local and natural materials – an oasis at which to disconnect
-
Inside Belmond’s most exclusive holiday villa yet, a lavish Ligurian palazzoOnce the theatre of lavish parties, Villa Beatrice is now a palatial haven of seclusion with easy access to Portofino’s Splendido, a Belmond hotel
-
The most stylish hotel takeovers to pop up at this summerFrom Capri to Ibiza, luxury fashion brands are taking over seaside resorts with exclusive boutique pop-ups and bespoke poolside accessories
-
Detour Discotheque is bringing ‘the world’s dreamiest party’ to PugliaThe pop-up event, La Dolce Vita Disco, promises dancing, good food and sunshine in a 16th-century Italian farmhouse
-
Five tranquil suites by Patricia Urquiola suspend visitors ‘between sea and sky’ in CapriPatricia Urquiola dreams up a study in contrast and tradition for the next chapter of Jumeirah Capri Palace
-
Sun-soaked European destinations to visit in springDreaming of Florentine palazzos and Greek islands now that the weather is starting to turn? Check into one of these beautiful European hotels and holiday homes
-
Everything you need to know about Italy's Lake Maggiore, according to FormafantasmaFrom baroque gardens to panoramic views, Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin show us around this Italian escape
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Romeo Roma: a new hotel that’s one of Zaha Hadid’s last projectsLocated within Rome’s Tridente, Romeo Roma is a palimpsest of periods in which the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid left her avant-garde mark
-
Five influential women hoteliers reflect on the changing face of hospitalityAs women continue to gain ground in the hotel sector, despite still being underrepresented in senior positions, five female moguls share their experiences of the past and projections for the future
