The Grand Hotel Tremezzo opened in Italy alongside the shores of Lake Como in 1910, and more than a century later remains at the leading edge of the destination’s luxury scene. Third-generation proprietor Valentina De Santis took the reins of her family’s property during its centennial anniversary in 2010, and has been honored for her efforts, winning the 2022 Virtuoso Hotelier of the Year award.
“My parents and I are not attached to the past, we think about how we can really put all of this history, which is our biggest treasure, at the disposal of our guests in the best way,” De Santis says. “The idea isn’t necessarily to bring new, contemporary design, but to bring a very modern spirit. An idea of hospitality that’s relevant for today.”
Guests still revel in the hotel’s palatial decor and fine dining at Ristorante La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi, but there are also new rooftop suites boasting hot tubs on private terraces. Beyond classic offerings such as boat tours, there are now activities such as al fresco pizza cooking classes and a signature hot-to-cold experience in the spa.
Already busy enough maintaining the Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s lofty perch, De Santis has also overseen the opening of a new property, Passalacqua, a historic villa dating to 1787 also on Lake Como. The lavish 24-room estate debuted in June 2022.
De Santis, 40, spoke with Penta about her approach to hospitality and respecting the history of her family’s iconic hotel, and shared a few tips for visitors to the area.
PENTA: What did winning Virtuoso 2022 Hotelier of the Year signify for you?
Valentina De Santis: I was very proud of it because we’re an independent hotel, and while many Italians have won it over the years, and that makes me proud as well, very joyful, there have been very few independent hoteliers that got the award. As an independent hotel, my family is protecting the history, the culture, the tradition of our hospitality. While the award has my name on it, I’m super lucky to have the greatest team in the world and I can rely on a group of people who are fantastic. I was especially happy for all of them because that award is not just recognition for myself, but for the hard work that each of us puts into the job every day.
What is it like for you to be the third generation carrying forward the hotel’s legacy?
That’s really my engine, my first big passion. Being family can make a difference behind the scenes, as a hotel is like a home. It’s where you’re welcoming your guests and having a family behind it makes a difference from the top down to the tiniest detail. I’m very proud of it, but for me it’s also a responsibility as well in a very nice way. Whatever I do, I do it for my family, for my home, for something that I crazily love. That’s a big advantage and I discovered that only after first taking my own path. I wanted to make my bones by myself before joining the family business. But I’m an only daughter, so it was me or me or me.
How do you balance preserving history while also evolving?
Respecting the history is the first pillar, it’s the key, especially in a destination like Lake Como where history is one of the main factors that any traveler, any guest expects. So, the fact that we have a lot of history, this is the starting point. Once you understand the preciousness of what you have in your hands, then you can really go forward. You need to understand how to respect it, but on the other side, as you say, the world is changing. The needs of travelers are changing. The way of enjoying a holiday is changing.
When you think of the hospitality of the past, sometimes antique hotels are also linked to a very “antique” kind of hospitality that is very formal, that is very old fashioned, and has all these rules. That’s not what modern travelers are looking for now, and so we just want to bring a very modern spirit, a more contemporary way of holidaying.
What’s your best insider’s tip for someone making their first trip to Lake Como?
First, it’s discovering the lake from the lake. Maybe it sounds obvious but not all guests think about doing it because it’s so beautiful just being in the hotel or on the shore, but being on the water changes your perspective. You can rent a fancy wooden boat with your driver to do a private boat tour, but it’s also super beautiful to just jump on a battello, which is the public ferry, and do it like a local. Just walk down into a totally non-touristy village and get lost in the little streets, and then maybe find a little local bar to drink a spritz and have some local bites.
Then, if I really need to give a secret that nobody knows, there is a little church called San Martino that is just above Tremezzo. You don’t see it from the hotel, you can see it only from the boat or by walking a little bit further. It looks like it was dropped with a helicopter onto the rocks, but actually it’s a very nice walk that anybody can do in one hour from Tremezzo. And that’s my best kept secret place. From there you can see the whole lake and its three branches. The scenery is fantastic, and the peace—there are no sounds besides the sounds of nature. There’s great energy. If you enjoy an easy hike, it’s a place I would suggest anyone go to.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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