If you can dream it, you can do it

Initially built in the 16th century and later serving as the summer residence of the Dukes of Serbelloni after 18th-century upgrades, this stunning aristocratic villa is nestled among traditional Italian gardens that complement its historical significance and timeless elegance.

At Villa Sola Cabiati, guests are greeted at the entrance by its dedicated staff, setting the tone for an experience that feels like stepping back in time. The villa unapologetically embraces Italianate maximalism—lavish, elegant, and effortlessly fabulous in its architectural and decorative splendour.

View more

Villa Sola Cabiati

6 Bedrooms – 12 Guests

From 70.000,00 EUR per week to price on request

View details

Saved to My Shortlist

This grandeur extends to all aspects of the villa experience, though dining here offers a thoughtful balance; whilst the team can craft the most formal and elaborate feasts when desired, they also understand that the simple pleasures of regional Italian cuisine often highlight the villa’s charm most effectively.

With every detail thoughtfully arranged, guests can fully immerse themselves in a setting where historic opulence meets contemporary comfort.

Need Expert Advice on This Villa?

Let’s talk! Schedule a personalised video call with our team to discuss your questions.

BOOK A CALL

Historic Elegance

Villa Sola Cabiati is a Lake Como palace celebrated for its historic elegance, neoclassical architecture, and secluded setting. The interiors feature decorative halls adorned with frescos by the school of Tiepolo, original terrazzo floors, hand-crafted Murano chandeliers, and stucco ceilings by Muzio Canzio.

The ornate Sala degli Stucchi is a true masterpiece, with biblical scenes and a baroque ceiling enriched by floral motifs. Antique clocks, a grand piano, and gilt-framed portraits evoke the villa’s rich history, whilst a dedicated museum area showcases artefacts, including Napoleon Bonaparte and wife Josephine’s bed.

The villa offers six stunning suites with breathtaking lake views, accommodating up to 12 guests. Classically styled furnishings, and exquisite details create an atmosphere of refined luxury. 

Gardens and Grounds

Outside, the villa’s private swimming pool is set within a peaceful back garden, whilst the arabesque front gardens—with symmetrical hedges, classical statues, and vibrant blooms—offer a fairytale setting for wedding portraits, morning strolls, and elegant outdoor dining.

The grand entrance gate, with the villa in the background, creates a striking backdrop for iconic photography.

Management and Connections

Grand Hotel Tremezzo has managed Villa Sola Cabiati since 2017 on behalf of the Milan-based Fondazione Serbelloni, a foundation started by the descendants of the original owners and dedicated to the preservation of Italian art, heritage and culture.

Thanks to the special relationship between the two properties, guests at the villa are free to use all of the hotel facilities less than a mile down the shore. With its dedicated staff and resources, Villa Sola Cabiati can fulfil even the most extravagant requests for its distinguished guests.

Over the years, the villa has welcomed European royalty, Italian high society, and celebrities such as Taylor Swift.

“Our motto at the Grand—and by extension at Villa Sola Cabiati—is ‘If you can dream it, you can do it,’ and we like to give our clients that same opportunity. Special requests are the rule rather than the exception at Villa Sola Cabiati, and we pride ourselves in making their dreams of a Lake Como holiday come true.”

— Silvio Vettorello, General Manager of Villa Sola Cabiati

Exclusive Experiences

Villa Sola Cabiati offers an array of exclusive experiences designed to immerse guests in the beauty and culture of Lake Como.

Guests can enjoy private boat tours exploring the lake’s most picturesque towns and villas or participate in authentic Italian cooking classes with the villa’s chef. The villa’s staff can also arrange cocktail classes with master mixologists, private yoga sessions in the Italian gardens, and numerous other bespoke experiences. As they say at Villa Sola Cabiati, “The lake’s the limit!”

For those seeking adventure, guests can arrive in style at the villa’s private jetty. Watersports enthusiasts can enjoy waterskiing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing, while those who prefer land-based activities can take scenic walks along the Lake Como Greenway, explore panoramic viewpoints, or cycle through the picturesque surroundings. For sports lovers, the tennis courts at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo offer another way to stay active.

Culinary Delights

Dining at the villa is a true highlight, with the chef preparing extravagant feasts served in the opulent dining room or alfresco in the lush gardens.

Whether enjoying a cooling Aperol Spritz by the pool or indulging in a candlelit dinner on the front lawn overlooking the lake, every meal is a memorable experience. Guests can also partake in vineyard tours and wine tastings, pairing Italy’s finest vintages with the villa’s gourmet cuisine.

Exploring the Region

For a deeper exploration of the region, the villa’s concierge can arrange private guides and chauffeurs to take guests to charming lakeside villages, historic villas, and nearby destinations, including Milan, just an hour’s drive away.

On-site, the villa can host bespoke spa treatments, barbecues, and photography classes, ensuring a stay as relaxing or activity-filled as desired.

Lake Como’s Essence

Nestled between alpine peaks and verdant hillsides, Lake Como’s blend of natural beauty and cultural richness captivates visitors. The lake’s sapphire waters reflect both luxury and simplicity – villages with terracotta rooftops cascade to shorelines where elegant villas stand alongside traditional fishing boats.

Lake Como invites visitors to embrace leisurely moments without guilt. Here, time slows as you savour a gelato whilst watching boats drift across the water or discover hidden gardens where Mediterranean flowers bloom against ancient stone walls.

The true magic of Lake Como lies in its dual offering of stimulation and serenity. Cultural treasures await in centuries-old churches while adventure beckons on panoramic trails. As evening descends and lights twinkle across the water, it becomes clear why this place has inspired artists, writers, and dreamers throughout history—a timeless Italian paradise that lingers in memory long after departure.

Interview: Silvio Vettorello

General Manager of Villa Sola Cabiati

What is one unique aspect of Villa Sola Cabiati?

Villa Sola Cabiati is unique in that it is perhaps the only historic villa of this renown that is available as a full-service holiday rental. From the terrazzo floors to the ceiling frescos, it is full of museum-worthy antiques and artwork, including Napoleon and Josephine’s marital bed.

This exquisite ensemble of Italian excellence is yours (apart from Napoleon’s bed!) for the duration of your stay.

What inspired the architectural design of Villa Sola Cabiati?

Originally built in the 16th century, the Villa was acquired by the Dukes of Serbelloni and then expanded in the 18th century in the Neoclassical style. Gone were the excesses of the Baroque style; the Neoclassicists favoured the clean lines and symmetry of Ancient Greece.

Villa Sola Cabiati, with its tall windows, uniform pediments, and columned entrance, is a prime example of the movement.

How do you ensure a team delivers top-tier service?

We are serious about cultivating our relationships with the great hospitality schools in the region, and these well-trained, enthusiastic graduates form a large part of our team.

As their training continues at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, some express a desire for a new challenge or seem particularly suited to branch out into a different environment. We like to encourage and empower them to broaden their horizons in this way. It’s great to see them thrive at Villa Sola Cabiati.

What’s an unexpected or quirky perk of the villa’s location?

One of the most unexpected aspects of the villa is the back garden—many do not expect, based on the monumental façade and the formal gardens out front, that the back garden would offer such a cool, laid-back vibe for lounging and gathering.

With the pool and the recently planted olive grove, it almost has the feel of the Tuscan countryside! There is no better spot for that all-important “me time” or casual garden barbecues with family and friends. The ideal mix of historic grandeur and easy-going fun!

Is there a standout feature with special meaning to you?

You cannot really beat the history of the place. The villa has not only received illustrious guests, from Napoleon Bonaparte and Charlie Chaplin to Their Majesties the Prince and Princess of the Netherlands to Taylor Swift with Travis Kelce but has also been the summer home of the descendants of the Dukes of Serbelloni since they acquired it in the 18th century.

This family of distinction has played an important role in many eras of Italian history, perhaps most notably Duke Gian Galeazzo, who served as Mayor of Milan and argued so passionately before Emperor Napoleon for the independence of Lombardy.

He also had the motto “Villulae Quietem” inscribed above the grand entrance, which perfectly describes the tranquillity of this one-of-a-kind place.

What insights have you gained from working at Villa Sola Cabiati?

The main insight I have gained here is the importance of establishing a rapport with the clients. Living in the villa as a home away from home, they enjoy a completely different experience to that of a hotel—and a closer relationship with us as a result.

We relate in a more personal way with them, and that sense of family is even deeper. Exceeding their expectations is always our goal. Knowing, or even anticipating, what can make their stay unforgettable is vital.

What’s the most memorable guest review you’ve received?

The best feedback we can receive from guests is welcoming them back year after year. It is such a pleasure to find our guests feel as if Villa Sola Cabiati is “their” home on the lake and our team is “their” adopted Italian family. There is no better feedback than that!

What dish do you crave the most at Villa Sola Cabiati?

From the fresh pasta made with eggs from the chicken coop in the rear garden to a Chateaubriand, the keywords are simplicity, Italian cuisine, and local produce.

Thanks to nearby Valtellina, we pair them with its Nebbiolo wines. We also take pride in our Riviera delle Azalee farms and small producers who help us serve high-quality ingredients and support the local economy.

What does the perfect stay at Villa Sola Cabiati look like?

No day on Lake Como would be perfect without a boat ride. We have a fleet of lake cruisers from Venetian motor launches to classic Riva motor boats that offer a front-row seat to the picturesque villas and villages along the lake’s 100-mile shoreline.

Our captain might even suggest a secluded swimming spot for a quick dip before returning to the villa for a garden barbecue. To end the night on a high, we recommend taking a glass of prosecco out front to the formal gardens, where you can marvel at the moon reflected in the mirror surface of the lake. Unforgettable!

How do you weave local culture into the guest experience?

We offer a large package of experiences for our guests, whether it’s a tour of the most iconic villas on Lake Como, a “plein air” painting class, or even a master class in painting on silk; our region has been renowned for silk production for centuries, and the class offers a glimpse into this rich tradition.

For the foodies among our guests, we have all the insider knowledge on local food festivals and markets as well as festive occasions such as the Sagra di San Giovanni with its fireworks display and traditional meal of polenta and snails.

What’s your top tip for guests to make the most of their stay?

To experience the true grandeur of Villa Sola Cabiati, we recommend travelling back in time to a private dinner in the opulent Sala degli Stucchi. Located up the grand staircase on the piano nobile, this historic dining room features the property’s best lake views while also allowing you to get up close and personal with the over-the-top décor crafted by Italy’s best 18th-century artists—from the amazing stucco work that gave the hall its name to the frescos and the inlaid terrazzo floors.

A formal dinner by candlelight, prepared with love by our best chefs, will create memories to last a lifetime.