Villa D'Este - Lake Como, Italy
 

We stayed a night in Como on our recent European road trip. Villa D'Este is a unique place. The entire property seemed tired and worn, yet it still manages to exude class and opulence. It could be very special if a decent amount of money was invested.

We were upgraded from a Jr. Suite Top, to a Suite at check-in. The staff was excellent (maybe with the exception of the concierge). The room had an incredible view out on to the lake. The bathroom was very small with a shared tub/shower.

There seemed to be a lot of very well heeled people about. A warning... guests and those having tea are dressed very well as early as 4PM. Bring the best of your wardrobe if you want to blend in.

Lake Como is in need of another 5 star property to keep Villa D'Este on its game.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...3&d=1251568940

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...9&d=1251568826

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...0&d=1251568826

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1251568940

The view from lunch in Bellagio:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1251659517

Villa D’Este, Lake Como
Room: Suite – 4
Bathroom: 2 (very small and dated, shared shower/tub)
Staff: 4
Breakfast: 4 (buffet)
Cost: 1,188 euro
Overall: 4

Super report
 

Great report! Love the format - it really gives a good idea of what to expect.

This forum would be greatly enhanced with more reports like this.

There already is. The Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is in a better location (Bellagio) but it too is an old, grand dame though not considered as exclusive as Villa D'Este.
http://www.villaserbelloni.com/Bellagio/index.cfm

Nice report and photos.

It would be nice if there were updated, luxurious properties around Lago Como but merely wishful thinking. Worn and tired (outside and in) is the norm for the villas dotting the shoreline and what promotes the charm of the villages. Anything updated would seem out of character there;)

Great Pics, great Post, great Porsche (well, almost :D)

Do you get support from BMW regarding routes and hotels, or is that entirely the customer's own plan?

They do offer some smaller "packages" through an independent agency... but our trip was all based on my own research and wants.

on lake garda theres always > http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...li-review.html

certainly looks like it was a great trip HaydenFive, thanks for the posts/pics ^

Hayden Five, I am curious to know:

Is it popular for US customers to pick up luxury cars in Germany?

And how important a "selling proposition" is the fact that there is no speed limit on the German autobahn?

Mercedes and BMW both have great European Delivery programs. Mercedes offer a flat 7% discount on the price (including shipping, import tax, registration and insurance in europe for 2 weeks all at no cost). BMW's savings are closer to 10-14% with the same benefits. (Audi also has a program, and Porsche actually charges extra for Euro Delivery!)

Most Americans, however, still don't know about the program. Dealers also try to discourage the practice since they would prefer a customer pick a car off the lot right then.

The reason for the programs is mainly brand loyalty. Once a customer has that kind of experience - they will likely be back.

The autobahn is a definate plus. When will I be able to get mine to 151 mph again? :)

the locals werent aware? :D

wikipedia also mentions saab and volvo.

http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6550...ram/index.html
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=11
suggests 1,200 US BMW euro deliveries back in 2006

Yeah, its my understanding the BMW program is much more popular than the Mercedes program...

Thank you for sharing, I appreciate the report. Great pictures.

Simply LOVE Villa d'Este. Stayed there two years in a row and will definitely come back when we'll be visiting Feltrinelli.

A very good point regarding dressing well. Jacket and tie are a must for dinner.

Here are some of my photos (PBase is acting up, so refreshing a few times might be required):

http://www.pbase.com/image/48198037/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/48189669/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/48128516/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/48148051/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/48189898/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/48431106/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/48216033/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/49656202/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/63563186/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/63836221/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/63528326/orginal.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/63799089/orginal.jpg

Great pictures!

indeed. 2nd one is even better than departures. :D
http://www.departures.com/articles/t...ns-villa-deste

Thank you. Flattery is always good to hear :D

I also cringed when I saw the photos in the Departures article. I will never understand places like d'Este & Il San Pietro (ok, they have recently updated the site, but photos are only slightly better than what they were before), that are so beautiful that one would think it'd be impossible to take a bad picture. And yet, someone always manages...