Villa Làrio Hotel Review | Hotels Above Par

"Set on two acres between the lake and vertiginous cliffs in the bijou village of Pognana Lario, this five‑star hotel is a masterclass in seamlessly blending old and old and new. Villa Làrio comprises three independent villas — Il Palazzo, a 19th‑century neo‑Classical building; Villa Bianca, a new‑build decorated in Scandi‑Italian style; and a two‑bedroom exclusive‑use Pavilion — plus a standalone garden suite, all scattered across landscaped gardens and linked by a lift carved into the rockface that runs from Villa Bianca down to Il Palazzo and its private pontoon. I appreciated how every design choice keeps the lake as the sole focal point: there are no televisions in any of the 18 rooms, the few artworks sit on picture rails installed below eye level, many walls are white (and some removed entirely) to make room for dramatic floor‑to‑ceiling windows — notably the Il Palazzo Tower Suite’s greenhouse‑style living room whose glass panels can be peeled back to feel like a terrace. Facilities include an infinity pool, a small gym, watersports on request and yoga classes under the hotel’s stately cedar trees (included in the room rate); in summer you can dive straight into the lake, while in autumn staff recommend hiking part or all of the 18‑mile Dorsale del Triangolo Lariano. Dining is straightforward and excellent: Villa Bianca restaurant serves rich but unfussy Lombardy cuisine (and yes, it’s all about the pasta), the lake‑level bar specialises in delectable finger food and cocktails, or you can request a picnic basket to enjoy on a private boat tour. Facing west, the property’s many vantage points make it worth returning for spectacular sunsets; nearby you can also encounter brave swimmers leaping from the ancient Ponte della Civera. Room count: 18; starting rate from 520 USD per night; closest airport: Milan Malpensa (MXP)." - Rosie Paterson