Hotel Villa Flori by Vanessa Kaoukji

The Hotel Villa Flori is the sister hotel to the Albergo Terminus in Como and although it is owned and run by the same family, it is much more luxurious than its counterpart and in a far better location.

The original single storey villa was built in the 1850’s by the Marquis Raimondi for his 18 year old daughter as a wedding gift. It wasn’t long before the groom, General Giuseppe Garibaldi, discovered dark secrets about his young wife’s past and abandoned her and the villa. The villa then went through a succession of aristocratic owners, including Marquis Flori, before being taken over by its present owners and transformed into a hotel in 1958.

A ten minute drive from the centre of Como, the Villa Flori sits on the western arm of Lake Como. The nearest restaurants are in Como so this is not a place to stay if you don’t have a car, but it’s a peaceful base from which to explore Como and the surrounding villages.

The rooms
Although there are 50 rooms the hotel still manages to retain an intimate feel. All rooms overlook the lake; most have balconies which are sizeable, but you have to endure the worn and dated Astroturf. The best rooms are the 2 junior suites with original parquet floors and silks for which the area became famous. Other rooms are decorated with original and reproduction antiques.

The restaurant serves excellent food and a large number of the diners are reassuringly local. Although the exterior of the hotel might put some people off, being the epitome of 1950’s functional architecture, once you’re inside the sumptuousness of the public rooms is enough to convince you otherwise.