I’m standing on a restored French balcony in Cadenabbia, looking straight across the lake at Bellagio. The water is calm, the mountains are hazy, and I can hear a boat engine humming somewhere below. This is the view from The Lake Como EDITION, the 21st property in the EDITION brand collection worldwide, and it just opened for preview ahead of its full debut in March 2026. I came to see if modern minimalism can actually work on Italy’s most storied lake — and whether it’s worth the splurge for travelers like me who usually prefer a historic pensione over a polished hotel.
Yes, it works — but only if you want a design-forward, wellness-focused stay with serious dining credentials. If you’re after old-world lake charm with creaky floors and family-run trattorias, this isn’t it. The EDITION is a contemporary oasis, not a nostalgic retreat.
Design lovers
Wellness travelers
Couples without kids
From a 19th-century hotel to a modern lakeside retreat
The building itself has a longer story than you might expect from a brand-new luxury opening.
The Lake Como EDITION revitalizes a hotel originally built in 1830, once known as The London. That 19th-century bones are still visible in the preserved vaulted lobby ceilings and the cream, butter, and clay exterior palette. But inside, the design team — EDITION Creative Directors Kirstin Bailey and Paul Haslhofer, working with architecture firm Neri&Hu and De.Tales — has stripped things back. You walk in through a cantilevered teak entry framed by a vertical garden of wisteria, clematis, and climbing roses. The floors are white Palomba stone terrazzo. A sculptural marble staircase, inspired by Carlo Scarpa, winds upward. It feels like a gallery that happens to have a front desk.
The property was developed by Omnam Investment Group and Bain Capital in partnership with EDITION, which is part of Marriott Bonvoy. That means you can book with points if you’re a loyalty member — though availability during peak season will likely be tight.
148 rooms, two penthouses, and a villa with nine guestrooms
The accommodations range from standard guestrooms to a separate villa, so there’s more variety than you might expect.
The hotel offers 148 guestrooms total, including twenty-five suites and two penthouses. Nine additional rooms are in Villa Gina, a separate building on the property. In the main building, rooms feature custom walnut beds, curved sofas, pale blue hand-tufted rugs, and Calacatta marble in the baseboards, archways, and bathrooms. Lakeside rooms have those restored French balconies I mentioned — they’re small but worth it for the view. The penthouses are larger, with more outdoor space, but I didn’t get a chance to see them during my visit.
If you’re traveling as a family, request a room in Villa Gina. The separate building offers more privacy and space, and it’s a short walk from the main hotel. With Lily and Ethan, I’d choose that over a standard room in the main building.
Four dining venues by a three-Michelin-star chef
Chef Mauro Colagreco — who holds three Michelin stars at his restaurant Mirazur in France — returns to his Italian roots here.
Colagreco directs four distinct dining venues. Cetino is the flagship: contemporary Italian gastronomy served in a room with rose-colored Dolomite plaster walls and a jardin d’hiver terrace. Renzo is the all-day restaurant with panoramic lake views and a modern take on traditional recipes. Poolside is exactly what it sounds like — casual seafood-driven dishes and white wine by the floating pool. And the Lobby Bar serves Riviera-inspired canapés and aperitivo rituals. That bar has five-meter ceilings, a celadon green Sekoya-marble counter, hand-painted landscapes by Costanza Alvarez De Castro, a Steinway baby grand piano, a billiard table, and a carved Palomba stone fireplace. It’s the kind of room you want to linger in, even if you’re not drinking.
None of the restaurants are open to the public yet — the hotel is in preview mode until March 2026. Menus and pricing are still being finalized. If you’re planning a trip before the full opening, check directly with the hotel for availability.
The floating pool and the Longevity SPA
Wellness is a major focus here, and it’s not just a standard hotel spa.
The floating pool sits at the waterfront, flanked by a restaurant, lounge bar, cabanas, and sun loungers. It’s a saltwater pool, and it literally floats on the lake — you can swim while looking straight across at Bellagio. The wellness program is run by The Longevity Suite Group, and this is only the second Longevity SPA in Italy. Treatments include Blue Zones-inspired Signature Rituals and advanced protocols like the Ultimate Biohacking treatment, which combines Dry Float therapy, Near Infra-Red technology, and Hydrogen Oxygen therapy. The spa also has a thermal pool with lake views, a Turkish bath, herbal sauna, plunge pools, and seven treatment rooms.
Getting around: private dock, boat fleet, and the Greenway
Location matters on Lake Como, and Cadenabbia is a strategic base.
The hotel has a private dock for boat arrivals and an on-site fleet for lake tours. That means you can arrive by water from Como town or Bellagio without dealing with the narrow lakeside roads. The property also provides access to the Greenway walking route, which links Cadenabbia with Tremezzo and Lenno. That’s a flat, scenic walk along the lake — doable with kids if you take it slow. Tremezzo is home to Villa Carlotta, and Lenno has the Villa del Balbianello gardens, both worth a visit.
Take the hotel’s boat to Bellagio for a morning stroll. It’s faster than the ferry and more comfortable. Bellagio gets crowded by midday, so go early and come back for lunch at Renzo.
How The Lake Como EDITION compares to other luxury hotels on the lake
Lake Como has no shortage of high-end hotels. Here’s how the EDITION stacks up against two of the most famous.
| Feature | The Lake Como EDITION | Grand Hotel Tremezzo | Villa d’Este |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Modern minimalism | Art Nouveau grandeur | Renaissance palace |
| Location | Cadenabbia (west shore) | Tremezzo (west shore) | Cernobbio (south end) |
| Pool | Floating saltwater pool | Floating pool + 2 others | Two outdoor pools |
| Spa | Longevity SPA (biohacking) | Traditional spa | Historic spa |
| Dining | Mauro Colagreco (3 Michelin stars) | Multiple restaurants | Multiple restaurants |
| Room count | 148 | 89 | 152 |
| Best for | Design + wellness travelers | Romantic getaways | History + tradition lovers |
- The EDITION is the best choice if you value modern design, biohacking wellness, and chef-driven dining over old-world atmosphere.
- Grand Hotel Tremezzo offers more traditional luxury with three pools and a more romantic setting — better for couples.
- Villa d’Este is the most historic option, with Renaissance gardens and a storied past, but it’s farther from Bellagio and the central lake.
Before you book The Lake Como EDITION
Is the hotel open now or still under construction?
The Lake Como EDITION is in preview mode as of late 2025. The full opening is scheduled for March 2026. Some facilities may not be available during preview.
Contact the hotel directly to confirm what’s operational before you book. I visited during preview and the main areas were finished, but not every restaurant was running.
Is it worth the price compared to other Lake Como hotels?
Rates haven’t been officially released yet, but EDITION properties typically start around €600–€1,000 per night in peak season. That puts it in line with Grand Hotel Tremezzo and below Villa d’Este.
You’re paying for the design, the Colagreco dining, and the Longevity SPA. If those matter to you, it’s worth it. If you just want a lake view and a comfortable bed, you can find better value elsewhere.
Is the hotel suitable for families with young children?
It’s not marketed as family-friendly, but it’s not unwelcoming either. The floating pool is shallow enough for kids, and Villa Gina offers more space.
That said, the design is sleek and minimalist — not the kind of place where you want sticky fingers on the Calacatta marble. I’d bring Lily and Ethan here for a short stay, but not for a week.
What’s the biggest downside of staying here?
The location in Cadenabbia is quieter than Bellagio or Como town. You’ll need the hotel boat or a rental car to reach most restaurants and attractions.
If you want to be in the middle of the action, this isn’t it. The EDITION is a destination in itself, not a base for exploring.
Can I book with Marriott points?
Yes, since EDITION is part of Marriott Bonvoy. Award availability will likely be limited, especially during summer and holidays.
Check the Marriott website for point rates. I’d recommend booking as far in advance as possible if you’re using points.
What modern luxury means on Lake Como
I’ve stayed in historic villas and family-run hotels on Lake Como, and I love them for different reasons. But the EDITION made me rethink what luxury means here. It’s not about recreating the past — it’s about adding something new to a place that already has plenty of history. The floating pool, the biohacking spa, the Colagreco restaurants — they’re all contemporary, but they don’t fight the lake. They sit alongside it. That’s a harder balance to strike than most hotels realize, and this one gets it right. For more on how to plan a trip around Italy’s lakes, read my guide to exploring Puglia from Bari to Lecce — a very different kind of Italian water experience.
Sources and further reading
Kennedy, Matthew. “The Lake Como EDITION Opens, Reimagining Luxury on Italy’s Most Storied Shore.” Resident, 16 Nov. 2025. 🔗
Mann Publications. “The Lake Como EDITION Debuts on Italy’s Most Iconic Shoreline, Bringing a New Era of Luxury to the Legendary Destination.” Mann Publications, 11 Nov. 2025. 🔗
Related reading on Emily in Italy
Milan’s Golden Rectangle: Where Gucci Shops Grow — A guide to Milan’s luxury shopping district, perfect for pairing with a Lake Como stay.
Welcome to Cortina d’Ampezzo’s 2026 Winter Olympics — What to expect from Italy’s next big winter event, with tips for visiting the Dolomites.
Florence, Italy: Renaissance Treasures and Artistry — A deep dive into Florence’s art and architecture, ideal for extending an Italian itinerary.
Hiking Italy’s Monti Sibillini National Park — An off-the-beaten-path hiking guide for travelers who want mountains after the lake.