Among Lake Como’s many charming towns is Torno, a relatively obscure place that’s overshadowed by better-known lakefront towns like Bellagio, Tremezzo, and Varenna.
Torno is 28 miles north of Milan, and it won't top any list of must-visit towns in the area. However, there is a property that elevates Torno to a town you may not want to dismiss.
Il Sereno Lago di Como is a contemporary hotel that’s a sharp contrast to the ‘Grand Villa’ hotels like Villa d’Este and Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. Guests who don't care much for old-world villas will appreciate Il Sereno's appeal.
While it certainly isn't the only contemporary hotel in the area, the all-suite property's design epitomizes the phrase "elegance in simplicity." It brings together lakefront charm, Michelin-starred dining, and a chic design language.
History
Lake Como has long been associated with aristocratic villas that morphed into exclusive hotels, but Il Sereno was conceived with a different point of view. It blends with the surroundings without trying to emulate the grandeur of the villas around the lake. Instead, it brings a modern language to Torno while preserving the sense of privacy that has made the lake so endearing.
Il Sereno opened in 2016, introducing a notably modern hotel to one of Italy’s elite destinations. The property was built on the site of the former Villa Flora hotel, with only the lakefront wall remaining from the earlier structure. The dock the building occupies gives the hotel a direct link to the lake.
Design
Famed Spanish architect and industrial designer Patricia Urquiola is credited with Il Sereno's design. While the look is unmistakably contemporary, it doesn’t shy away from blending a classical touch. Horizontal lines, glass, stone, wood, and carefully framed views keep the lake at the center of the experience.
The project draws inspiration from Giuseppe Terragni’s Casa del Fascio (Palazzo Terragni) in Como, just south of Torno. You only need one glance at the old building to appreciate the similarities despite the age difference.
Inside, the design favors understated elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in natural light and sublime lake views, while muted tones and tactile materials create a neutral space that should appeal to all guests.
The design takes full advantage of the area's most alluring features: the mountains, gardens, and a lake that’s ever-appealing. From the infinity pool suspended above the lake to the spa set beneath original, century-old arches, Il Sereno seeks to immerse guests in the pleasures of lakefront living.
Suites
The suites range from 50 sq m to a 200 sq m penthouse. Each one is designed to make full use of natural light, with floor-to-ceiling windows in the living rooms and bedrooms, with many offering guests great views of the lake.
Across all the suites, the emphasis remains consistent: generous interiors, contemporary furnishings, and a close visual connection to the lake. Private terraces reinforce the feeling that each suite is a viewing point onto one of northern Italy’s most celebrated landscapes.
Dining
Dining at the hotel centers on Il Sereno Al Lago. It is one of only five Michelin-starred restaurants in the Lake Como area. Led by chef Raffaele Lenzi, the restaurant’s position in the building is one of its defining features.
It places guests close to the water in a space that reflects the hotel's modern elegance. Lenzi’s cooking philosophy emphasizes the essence of raw ingredients in Italian classics, where vegetables are the stars of the show. The chef honed his skills in restaurants in England and America before returning to Italy to continue his culinary journey.
Dinner is more formal than lunch, with tasting menus that include a modern take on Italian cuisine. The hotel also includes a bar serving Italian and Asian Cocktails with views of Lake Como that elevate the experience.
Experiences
The experiences you enjoy should be a key part of choosing a hotel, and Il Sereno has a few to draw the attention of potential guests. The Lake-to-Lake experience is arguably the most exciting one. It offers guests a hotel stay and a journey from Lake Como to St Moritz and back, with the option to drive a supercar across scenic roads on the way back.
Guests who don’t want to deal with the logistics of transportation on arrival in Italy can take advantage of the Maserati Experience, which offers airport transfers to and from the hotel in a Maserati. You won’t find many better ways to arrive in style.
The hotel’s private beach, dock, infinity pool, and Ernesto Riva custom-built boats deliver the quintessential Lake Como experience that won’t leave you wondering if you missed something.
The Vaporina del Lago Riva boat features interiors by Patricia Urquiola, while Jetto boats allow guests to explore the lake at their own pace.
The hotel also offers the Inglesina Boat Experience, centered on a classic rowing boat originally built on Lake Como in the 1930s. These experiences help define Il Sereno’s appeal. The hotel offers modern elegance without compromises in one of Italy’s most sought-after destinations.
