Villa Balbiano

Villa Balbiano stands on the western shore of Lake Como at Ossuccio, one of the oldest settlements on the lake, its façade rising from the water opposite the Isola Comacina. Few houses on Como carry quite so much history, or wear it so beautifully.

The estate was acquired in 1596 by Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, one of the great patrons of the lake, and the palazzo was completed by his descendants over the course of the 17th century, when its stucco work, fountains and gardens took shape. In the 18th century Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini made it his home, adding frescoes and hosting poets and artists. More recently its rooms provided the backdrop for Ridley Scott's House of Gucci.

Inside, 17th-century frescoes by the Recchi brothers and Agostino Silva look down on antiques sourced from the great auction houses. Six suites in the main palazzo, each designed by Jacques Garcia, sleep twelve guests, all with lake views and marble bathrooms, and further accommodation in the wing and villino can take larger parties.

More than two hectares of gardens, restored by the English landscape practice Colson Stone, lead down to the shore, where there is an outdoor pool, a private pier and a boathouse. A private chef is part of every stay, and from the pier the lake opens up for boat trips to Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo, or even a seaplane tour.

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