Villa d'Este Review — Cernobbio, Lake Como, Italy

On my tennis ranking, Villa d'Este earns its place with century-old courts along the water, part of one of Lake Como's grandest estates. On my featured page I put it more simply: clay courts in a 25-acre renaissance park above the lake — old-world tennis at its finest.

The court is a doorway into what Villa d'Este actually is: the lake's original grand hotel, a renaissance estate whose gardens, mosaics, and floating pool have defined Como luxury for generations. Passalacqua may be the celebrated newcomer, but this is the institution it gets measured against.

It's a Fora Reserve property in my partner book, and my pick on the lake for travelers who want history with their luxury — the sense that everyone from royalty to film stars swam in this same pool.

See The Full Tennis Court Ranking →

At A Glance

RegionCernobbio, Lake Como, Italy StyleGrand renaissance estate (Fora Reserve) Perfect ForOld-world classicists, multigenerational trips, tennis travelers My Ranking#06 in my hotel tennis court ranking →

What Stood Out

The Details That Made The List

Century-old courts along the water. Old-world tennis at its finest — #06 on my worldwide list, inside a 25-acre renaissance park.

The estate itself. Gardens, grottoes, and grandeur at a scale no modern hotel can rebuild — this is the lake's original icon.

The floating pool. Villa d'Este's lake-borne pool predates the trend everyone else is chasing.

Know Before You Book

The Fine Print, From Your Advisor

Old-world means old-world. The formality and classic interiors are the point. If your taste runs modern, that's Il Sereno across the lake.

Cernobbio is a smart base. The town side of the lake — easy access to Como city and the villa circuit by boat.

Compare the lake's icons before you book. Villa d'Este, Passalacqua, the Mandarin, Il Sereno, and the EDITION each fit a different couple — my Lake Como proposal shows how I frame the choice.

One of Lake Como's grandest estates, with the history to prove it — old-world tennis, old-world everything, at its finest.

Book Villa d'Este Through Me

Same Rate, More Perks

Rates through me are identical to booking direct — the perks are not. As a Fora advisor, my clients receive a space-available upgrade, daily breakfast, and a hotel credit — plus my direct line to the team on property before and during your stay.

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Planning A Trip To Lake Como?

Villa d'Este earned its place on my list. Let me match you to the right room, time it to the right season, and build the rest of the trip around it.

My Tennis Court Ranking → My Sample Lake Como Proposal →