CastaDiva, Italy

Aspire editor Hollie-Rae Brader heads to Lake Como –playground to the likes of George Clooney, Donatella Versace and Madonna – tosee why this part of Italy is such a gem

“A few days here and you’ll feel like a movie star,” says mydriver as we begin the short 30-minute journey from Malpensa airport to LakeComo.

I laugh. Having just got off a red-eye flight from Heathrow,I certainly wasn’t starting my trip embodying a celebrity.

As we make our way north, the chaos of the motorway givesway to quieter roads. We drive through the quaint town of Como, which lies atthe southern tip of the lake and is justmso-bidi-font-family:a 10-minute drive from my home for mylong weekend – the historic house-turned-hotel CastaDiva Resort & Spa.

I sit gawping out of the window at the beautiful vistasaround me: on one side, the deep-blue waters of the lake and the alpine foreststhat cover the mountains above; on the other, beautiful Italian villas and homes.

My driver takes a left turn and descends down a thin,winding pathway, which eventually leads to the grand entrance of this19th-century property. If arriving by car isn’t glam enough for you, there’salso a dock for water-taxi arrivals.

Once the residence of opera singer and muse Giuditta Pasta,CastaDiva is one of the lake’s grande dame hotels, with character by thebucket-load and the most awe-inspiring views across the lake.

It’s also perfectly located – a stroll away from theadorable village of Blevio and a short distance from the towns of Como andBellagio. The property offers a complimentary shuttle service to Como and alsooffers boat excursions up the coast to Bellagio, for ¤85 per person.

At the heart of the 75-room property is Villa Roccabruna,the original home of the soprano, but there are also numerous newer buildings andvillas on the site, all named after female opera singers. Most have terraces orprivate gardens overlooking the lake. When it comes to the decor, thinkold-school Italian glamour and don’t be surprised if most things in yourbathroom are golden...

Nearly all guests head straight for the lake – that is, thepool floating on top of it. Providing a multitude of Instagram opportunities,CastaDiva is one of onlymso-bidi-font-family:a handful of hotels with this facility.

This isn’t the only wow factor at this property: the14,000sq ft spa is something to behold. The wellness centre is an enclave ofserenity and boasts an indoor heated pool with Jacuzzi, chromotherapy showers,an ice cascade, Finnish sauna and aromatherapy showers – which are known onsite as ‘emotional showers’.

These emotional showering experiences were the talk of myfellow guests, as the variety of scents, combined with different levels ofwater intensity, are enough torelax anyone. After a visit to thespa, head to the relaxation room where you’ll find chaise longues in aglass-bottomed room over the 19th-century dock.

The hotel has just one main restaurant, The Orangerie, butthe bar also serves snacks at lunch and pizzas after dark. The Orangerie isperfect for breakfast and dinner, and has lots of outdoor seating and panoramicviews of the lake. The evening menu might be a little outlandish for some, withdishes such as chocolate-covered foie gras on the menu. Of course, it’s wellworth venturing farther afield to sample true Italian cuisine in the sweetestof locations.

There’s no doubt that a trip to CastaDiva will bring outyour inner diva, and you’ll leave Italy’s most luxurious lake feeling like acomplete and utter glamour-puss.