It’s been 10 years since Il Sereno first opened in the small town of Torno, and back then, as a ‘new build’ – an anomaly among the Grande Dames peppered along the shores of Lake Como – it caused quite a stir. A decade later, the design-led property, owned by Luis and Angelica Contreras, whose Sereno Hotels portfolio also includes Le Sereno and Le Sereno Villas in St. Barth and Villa Pliniana, also on Como, has gained a legion of loyal customers while simultaneously reshaping the region’s idea of what luxury hospitality can be.
The Contreras’ vision was to create a hotel that would break the classic Como mould, and as such, they enlisted the expertise of world-renowned Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, who drew inspiration from Giuseppe Terragni’s Casa del Fascio and the principles of Italian Rationalism when she masterminded the 40-suite property. Built on the site of a derelict stone boathouse, known as a darsena, the minimalistic structure sits comfortably against the rocky landscape thanks to Urquiola’s skilful use of natural materials, including Ceppo Lombardo, an elegant grey stone sourced in the Lombardy region, and tulipwood timber louvres that shade the glazed façade. Rising up behind the striking building, vertical gardens by acclaimed French botanist Patrick Blanc provide a pleasingly verdant backdrop.
Inside, Urquiola and her team carried the same considered aesthetic through every detail, from the custom furniture, rugs, wall coverings, and lamps to the elegant bathroom fixtures. A revelation for those who appreciate contemporary design, it’s a refreshing alternative to the swags and tails proffered by the more flamboyant hotels elsewhere on the lake.
Stay
Each one of Il Sereno’s suites boasts the same chic yet comfortable aesthetic, including the penthouse which, for guests who’d rather not leave the look behind at check-out, is fully shoppable: its bespoke, Urquiola-designed pieces can all be purchased via the hotel’s website.
The hotel’s newest and most unique addition, however, is the 2152-sq-ft Darsena Listening Suite – the largest at the hotel – which brings a touch of Tokyo to Torno. Launched in summer 2025, Contreras, himself a self-confessed audiophile, had a vision to recreate the setups he discovered in Japan’s cult jazz-kissa bars, where vinyl is treated with near-religious reverence.
Designed once again in collaboration with Urquiola, the suite’s soundproofed walls are lined with custom jacquard fabric that takes its cues from the lake’s rippling surface and the nets of local fishermen. Walnut paneling, low-slung Molteni seating, and a scattering of mid-century Gio Ponti chairs make it feel closer to a well-appointed apartment than a hotel room. At lake level, it has a fully furnished terrace with seating and dining areas, plus a stone staircase leading directly down to the water.
The audio equipment is where things get serious: Contreras spent a year sourcing the suite’s high-end analogue system, which combines Klipsch La Scala II speakers, McIntosh tube amplification, a Thorens turntable, and a fully restored 1977 Revox reel-to-reel deck – the machine that originally inspired him to embark on the project. More than 500 vinyl LPs from his personal collection line the walls, from Led Zeppelin and The Beatles to original Bowie pressings and classical box sets. Guests can also request records to be included in the library; Charli XCX and Kendrick Lamar are noticeably newer additions.
A round table, crafted from the same Ceppo Lombardo stone used on the exterior of the building, seats up to ten, and Michelin-starred dinners can be served alongside a curated soundtrack. When not occupied by overnight guests, the suite can also be booked for private dinners and intimate listening sessions.
Dine
Napoli-born executive chef Raffaele Lenzi has been at the helm of the hotel’s restaurant, Il Sereno Al Lago since the very beginning and has scooped a Michelin star along the way. As well as the area’s lake, land, and mountain produce, his dishes focus heavily on seasonal vegetables and include playful versions of traditional Italian specialities such as a reworked Veal Milanese and a sweet Sorrento lemon cake.
Beyond à la carte, three photogenic tasting menus marking a decade of Il Sereno highlight some of Lenzi’s most memorable and innovative creations: lamb, lapsang souchong and bell peppers; the prettiest prawns with panzanella; dosa with smoked eggplant, plum, and yoghurt; and a bite-sized plin pasta stuffed with lake fish, olive oil, and sage.
Also new for summer 2026 is Al Tramonto, a dining experience comprising just five tables set on the hotel’s terrace that allows guests to admire the setting sun as it sinks beyond the mountains. Meanwhile, the Lobby Bar is having its own anniversary moment, with a speciality cocktail collection celebrating Il Sereno’s 10-year history.
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Relax
The views at Como are unmatched, and what better place to watch sleek wooden motorboats zipping up and down the lake than from a pea green cabana at the edge of the freshwater infinity pool? Suspended directly over the water, the 18m stretch, surrounded by a broad sundeck also features an underwater sound system, while direct access to the lake is via the adjacent mini beach. Paddleboards, kayaks, and a rowing boat are also available to use.
In the spa, a smart fitness center sits next to three serene treatment rooms where practitioners offer restorative therapies from Swiss brand Valmont, including a brand-new signature massage that uses semi-precious stones. The sauna and steam room are tucked into the centuries-old stone arches, once part of the ancient boathouse, and as a result the hot tub and loungers face out over the original slipway. It’s an intimate setup, and these areas can be booked in time slots for private use.
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Explore
Do not pass up the opportunity to skip across the lake’s waters in one of the hotel’s uber-stylish, Ernesto Riva Jetto self-drive boats – no previous experience needed. It’s an exhilarating way to lap up the five star scenery. If playing captain isn’t the vibe, private boat excursions on Vaporina del Lago, a custom-built, luxury water limousine can be arranged, taking in the lake’s legendary villas, from Villa Balbianello to Villa Carlotta, Villa Melzi, and Villa Monastero. Meanwhile seaplane tours offer a bird’s-eye view of the lake’s villages, waterfalls, and mountainous scenery.
Back on land, Torno itself is a quaint town with a church and a clutch of pretty cafes, which serves as a great base for visiting the iconic Italian towns of Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, while Como itself, with its designer stores and elevated eateries, is a 15-minute drive away. For a change of pace, Il Sereno guests can also take advantage of vintage car tours in Maseratis, FIAT 500s, and Alfas, or even hop on a classic Vespa.