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A new Lake Como hotel is opening in a historic 19th-century palazzo

Lake Como has a new place to see and be seen with the official debut of The Lake Como EDITION hotel in March 2026.

EDITION senior vice president George Fleck describes the opening of The Lake Como EDITION as ‘a defining moment’ for the brand. The hotel, located on Cadenabbia on the lake’s western shores, is housed in a restored 19th century palazzo originally known as The London.

The restoration of the 148-room property blends the original features of the palazzo with EDITION’s signature minimalist aesthetic. Fleck believes the hotel will set a new benchmark for contemporary hospitality in the region, which he says balances individuality with a strong sense of place.

“This opening marks a new era in the EDITION story, where the timeless glamour of Lake Como converges with a new generation of luxury," Fleck says.

“This iconic destination provides the perfect canvas for our most captivating chapter yet, a defining moment that reflects EDITION’s continued evolution on the global stage," he says.

The location

the exterior of The Lake Como EDITION
A historic 19th-century palazzo reimagined and refined to bring lakeside luxury.

Lake Como’s waterfront has long been a much dreamed-about destination. And the property reflects the brand’s continued global expansion, marking its 21st location worldwide.

Omnam CEO David Zisser says the goal was always to create “a sophisticated luxury experience that seamlessly blends with Lake Como’s natural beauty while remaining welcoming to all".

The striking reinvention of the hotel, built in 1830, maintains reverence for the palazzo’s storied past by keeping the palazzo’s cream-toned façade, its vaulted ceilings and classical arches. Zisser says the project brings “our shared vision for transformative hospitality to one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations."

Standout features

the floating pool with waterfront views at the Lake Como EDITION
Lounge by the lakefront pool.

The floating pool – complete with cabanas and a lounge bar – and private dock – allowing for arrivals by boat – exemplify this philosophy. Directly in front of the hotel, the floating pool and private dock create an immersive connection to Lake Como, allowing guests to experience the water as a natural extension of the property.

Immersion is also central to the spa experience, with the Lake Como EDITION home to Italy’s second Longevity SPA by The Longevity Suite Group. The facility offers advanced biohacking programs, Blue Zone-inspired rituals, a thermal pool, herbal sauna, Turkish bath and seven treatment rooms alongside a fitness centre.

the Cetino restaurant in the the Lake Como EDITION
Cetino is Mauro Colagreco’s first restaurant in Italy.

Culinary innovation is another cornerstone of the hotel, with the signature restaurant Cetino and all-day terrace restaurant led by three-Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco.

General manager Anton Moore says chef Mauro Colagreco will shape the hotel’s culinary identity through his nature-first philosophy and a personal exploration of his Italian heritage. “Cetino, the hotel’s signature restaurant, will present an elevated expression of contemporary gastronomy, with a menu that harmoniously blends land and sea," he says.

The design: a balance between old and new

the Penthouse bathroom at the Lake Como EDITION
Calacatta marble bring a luxurious vibe.

The reimagined property overlooking the famed promontory of Bellagio was developed in partnership with design firm Neri&Hu and architects De. Tales. Inside, the design draws inspiration from Italian materials and craftsmanship and is defined by its terrazzo flooring, carved stone and high-vaulted ceilings and sculptural marble staircase.

All up, the hotel has 148 rooms, including 25 suites and two penthouses with nine guestrooms in the revitalised Villa Gina. Moore describes the hotel as a retreat that honours Lake Como’s legacy while introducing fresh energy through “innovative dining, pioneering wellness experiences and spaces designed for both tranquil escape and dynamic social connection."

the balcony of the Lake Como EDITION
Live la dolce vita in a suite overlooking the lake.

“The property’s reimagining was guided by a progressive vision, honouring the palazzo’s 19th-century character and surrounding landscape, while introducing a contemporary sense of refinement. We preserved the building’s original heritage façade, with its distinctive cream, butter, and clay palette, as an anchor to its historical identity," Moore says.

Inside, the soaring vaulted lobby remains intact, along with the classical arches that connect the social spaces. “Our intention was to celebrate the palazzo’s timeless craftsmanship while subtly layering in EDITION’s signature modernity, allowing history, culture, and contemporary elegance to coexist in a way that feels both authentic and of its place," he says.

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Details

the Lobby Bar at The Lake Como EDITION hotel in Italy
The interior design is true to the elegance of the brand.

Where: Via Regina, 41, 22011 Cadenabbia CO, Italy
Opening date: March, 2026
Website: The Lake Como EDITION

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for International Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

    woman hiking around queenstown new zealand
    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.