Classic Italian chic with a modern twist

The imaginative design of Il Sereno, Lake Como’s newest luxury hotel, makes the most of its striking location, says Kiki Deere

Heart-stopping views over an infinity pool to a watery vista ringed by dense forest are common to many hotels on Lake Como, but what’s unusual about my vantage is the striking contemporary design that effortlessly integrates with the natural environment.

I’ve just arrived at Il Sereno, the area’s newest luxury hotel, in the small village of Torno on the lake’s southeastern shore. Built using natural materials, including stone, wood and copper, Il Sereno’s contemporary look sets it apart from the lake’s traditional five-star hotels, typically set in historic villas and decorated with classical furnishings. This stylish addition is the sister hotel to swish Le Sereno on the Caribbean island of St Barts. Its proximity to Milan, the design capital of Italy, no doubt influenced the choice of architecture, theme and materials, resulting in an entirely new design concept for the area.

Milan-based designer Patricia Urquiola is the mastermind behind the hotel’s contemporary look and understated decor. Regarded as one of the world’s most important female designers – she has works displayed in New York’s MoMA and the Fonds National d’Art Contemporain in Paris, and was named Wallpaper Designer of the Year in 2006 and 2015 – Urquiola took care of every aspect of the hotel, from the architecture to the interiors, including lamps and bathtubs. Even the staff ’s silk foulards bear her name, while a custom-designed range of silk items is available for hotel guests. The town of Como is the centre of Italy’s silk industry, while nearby Brianza is home to world-class contemporary and classic furniture makers, producing a fifth of the country’s furniture. It is therefore pleasing to note that Urquiola made use of as many local artisans and materials as possible.

From the lakeside road, a narrow winding street descends to the lakefront where a discreet gate marks the entrance to the hotel, opening up onto a square where members of staff greet guests. A stone path with greenery flanking both sides leads towards the main entrance before transforming into an elevated walkway. Glass windows draw attention to the verdant Les Racines Echassées sculpture by acclaimed French botanist Patrick Blanc. At the heart of the hotel is the guest lounge, located just off reception, which is divided into a series of living rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that make the most of the lake views. The lounge also has direct access to a terrace where Blanc’s vertical garden Le Mirroir Vert du Lac reflects the building to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

From the lounge, a wooden staircase with steps that create the illusion of floating in midair descends to Ristorante Berton Al Lago, where a glassfronted wine cellar displays a selection of fine Italian wines. The contemporary look of Il Sereno will appeal to lovers of fashion and design The abstract floor pattern in Venetian graniglia (marble grit) marries well with the restaurant tables made of local Ceppo stone and walnut. Built on top of a former dockyard, the terrace area has a showcase kitchen and features flooring made of thin bands of wood that mimic the interiors of a boat. Three-star Michelin chef Andrea Berton is at the helm of the restaurant and ingredients are sourced from the surrounding regions – freshwater fish and herbs from the lake area, wines, cheeses and meats from nearby Valtellina and risotto from the Pianura Padana, Italy’s premier rice-growing region. The emphasis is on simple Italian dishes that draw out the ingredients’ true flavours and the menu features the likes of insalata di spaghetti tiepidi alla chitarra, a simple yet imaginative take on spaghetti al pomodoro, made with raw tomato sauce and basil.

Spread over six floors, the suites, each with their own waterfront terrace, are decorated in warm tones of grey and walnut brown with a touch of blue and green that replicates the hues of the surrounding landscape. With only 30 rooms, the atmosphere is intimate yet unpretentious. Modern custom furnishings are made of leather or cotton fabrics. Subtle patterns are etched into the stone floors and reflected in the mirrored wardrobe doors and bathroom panels, while the walls have deliberately been kept bare so as to draw attention to the scenery outside.

At the centre of the main garden is a freshwater infinity pool lined with layers of green stone that echo the colours of the lake, while adjacent is a small private beach offering direct access to the water. The hotel’s two mahogany and cedar wood motorboats were handcrafted by Ernesto Riva, a renowned manufacturer of luxury boats, and can be rented with or without a driver. The Vaporina del Lago water limousine, with materials and interiors chosen by Urquiola, is also available to shuttle up to 12 guests around the lake.

The hotel will no doubt appeal to lovers of fashion and design, but with rooms starting from €750 (£649) a night guests will need deep pockets. But this imaginative hotel is already one of the most interesting in the area and Urquiola has managed to achieve what she was aiming for – a simple design that draws one’s attention to what really matters: the beauty of the lake.

To read the full review, see: telegraph.co.uk/ilsereno