For centuries, Lake Como has been shorthand for old-world elegance — linen suits, wooden Riva boats and (most importantly for some of us) George Clooney.
But the latest arrival on Italy’s most photographed lake is decidedly less aristocrat, more avant-garde. Though, we still expect an aristocrat or two to show up from time to time.
Marriott’s The Lake Como Edition this week officially makes its debut, introducing the brand’s minimalist, design-led cool to one of Europe’s most classically glamorous destinations. In partnership with Omnam Investment Group and Bain Capital, the 148-room retreat marks a bold reimagining of Como’s luxury landscape by replacing heavy drapery and chandeliers with terrazzo floors, Calacatta marble and a private floating pool on the lake itself.
“This opening marks a new era in the Edition story, where the timeless glamour of Lake Como converges with a new generation of luxury,” George Fleck, Edition’s global brand leader, said in a statement while also calling the property a “defining moment” for the brand’s global evolution.
The Lake Como Edition is the latest proof point in Marriott’s bid to make Edition its crown jewel for a younger, design-savvy luxury traveler.
Now, with 21 locations across four continents, from Tokyo to Tampa, the brand is finding new expression in heritage destinations. If the Riviera Maya Edition is about barefoot sophistication, Lake Como is about Italian minimalism with a side of mountain air and Michelin stars.
Design That Talks Back
The hotel occupies a restored 19th-century palazzo in Cadenabbia, directly across from Bellagio’s postcard-perfect peninsula. Design firm Neri&Hu and architects De.Tales turned the former Hotel London into something strikingly contemporary without erasing its past with marble-arched lobbies, cascading wisteria and terrazzo floors that reflect Como’s famously glassy waters.
The interiors balance serenity with social energy. The Lobby Bar features a celadon-green marble counter and high ceilings, anchored by a Steinway baby grand and a carved Palomba stone fireplace. It’s not hard to picture Milan’s fashion set taking over this space by cocktail hour.
Culinary star power comes courtesy of Mauro Colagreco, the three-Michelin-starred chef behind Mirazur in Menton, France (named the world’s best restaurant in 2019). His debut Italian venture here includes four distinct venues: Cetino, a fine-dining room with a jardin d’hiver terrace; Renzo, an all-day restaurant inspired by family gatherings; and a poolside seafood bar channeling Mediterranean leisure.
Expect seasonal menus rooted in his nature-first, plant-forward philosophy — and yes, plenty of photo-ready plating.
Wellness With a Biohack
In a destination long prized for restorative air and reflective calm, Edition goes next-level with The Longevity Spa, a futuristic facility offering everything from near-infrared light therapy to hydrogen-oxygen treatments promising better sleep and glowing skin.
It’s the second collaboration between Edition and The Longevity Suite Group, signaling a push into the high-margin world of longevity travel.
The Bigger Picture
From a business standpoint, the Lake Como Edition underscores Marriott’s confidence in the ultra-luxury space. Edition’s primary challenge has always been one of scale: how to grow fast enough to stay relevant without diluting the bespoke, high-touch vibe that makes the brand desirable in the first place.
Lake Como may be the litmus test. The hotel’s juxtaposition of heritage and hyper-modern design, and its debut just ahead of Milan’s 2026 Winter Olympics, suggests Edition is positioning itself as both a destination and a lifestyle statement.
The Advisor Pitch
With its sleek minimalism, Michelin-caliber dining, and lakeside biohacking spa, The Lake Como Edition is not trying to blend in with Como’s grand-hotel set; it’s rewriting the script entirely.
For Marriott, it’s a strong signal that Edition has graduated from boutique curiosity to global luxury heavyweight.
And for travelers? Lake Como just got a lot more interesting — and a lot more Instagrammable.
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