Joel Edgerton, Juergen Teller, John Pawson and Mickalene Thomas were among the guests who helped open The Lake Como EDITION last weekend, bringing Ian Schrager’s lifestyle hotel chain to the blissful shores of the Italian holiday destination.
The opening of EDITION in April brought together an intimate lineup of international stars and local artists alike, for a weekend of culinary and cultural celebrations. Events included a private al fresco lunch at local restaurant Al Veluu, set high in the winding hills, and treatments at the hotel’s The Longevity Spa, where an extensive menu of offerings includes everything from cooling and bio-hacking treatments, to LED therapy, Turkish bath and massage to sculpt and relieve stress alike. Guests also enjoyed an afternoon on the lake, and horseback riding on Como’s famous flatwood Lucia Boats.
Martha Stewart was spotted enjoying dinner at Renzo, the property’s second-floor terrace restaurant that combines contemporary Italian cuisine with panoramic views of the lake and picturesque Bellagio in the distance. Stewart posted about her stay on Instagram, where the media mogul and entrepreneur praised the “handsome” staff while boasting about the “two glorious nights I dined with” chef Mauro Colagreco, who brought his three-Michelin-starred lineage to Italy from his home in Menton, France.
Other guests over the weekend included Wallis Day, Douglas Friedman, Ferragamo creative director Maximilian Davies, and Gian Luca Bassi (without wife Jessica Chastain), with festivities culminating in a private dinner at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Cetino – run by Colagreco – before partygoers descend on the lobby bar for a night of music and dancing.
The opening of the Lake Como EDITION combines the brand’s simple, modern aesthetic with the area’s classic Italian grandeur, to create a “new vision of lakeside luxury,” according to a release.
Located near the foot of the Alps where the lake branches off in a Y-shape, the new hotel offers 148 guest rooms set within a historic 1830s mansion, which retains much of its original charm, now combined with contemporary touches and amenities. In fact, the 19th-century hotel, which first opened its doors as the London, retains its original exterior color flair, and many of the lakefront rooms still feature original French balconies, which have been beautifully restored. Meanwhile, the interiors feature marble archways, terrazzo floors and rooms surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, while a new reflection pool and fountain greet guests as they enter the entrance.
Cultural programs include everything from guided hikes over the hotel’s green surroundings, to planned culinary, art and design installations that celebrate the region’s storied past while welcoming a new Italian guard. A prime example: EDITION’s opening weekend celebration kicked off with a welcome mixer featuring pours from Katkoot, the fashion-inspired Italian wine brand that has attracted fans like Rick Owens and A$AP Rocky.
“This opening marks a new era in the EDITION story, where the timeless charm of Lake Como meets a new generation of luxury,” says George Fleck, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader of EDITION. “Known for its elegance and cultural stature, this iconic destination provides the perfect canvas for our most attractive chapter yet, a defining moment that reflects EDITION’s continued evolution on the global stage. The Lake Como EDITION represents the next frontier for the brand, setting a new standard for contemporary luxury defined by exclusivity, sophistication and a strong sense of place.”
Lake Como is the 21st location in the EDITION brand portfolio. See rooms and rates here.
