Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Predecessor | CastaDiva Resort & Spa |
| Founded | 18th century (Villa Roccabruna) |
| Headquarters | Blevio, Como , Italy |
Area served | Global (under Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group) |
| Products | Luxury hotel and resort services |
| Owner | Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group |
| Website | www |
Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como is an exclusive 5-star resort situated in Blevio, Como, Italy. Previously operating under the name CastaDiva prior to its extensive renovation and acquisition by the Hong Kong-based global entity Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in the late 2010s, the property is anchored by the historic Villa Roccabruna. This villa holds cultural significance as the site where composer Vincenzo Bellini created his renowned operas La Sonnambula and Norma.
History
Constructed during the 18th century along the shores of Lake Como in Blevio, Villa Roccabruna underwent restoration between 1827 and 1829 under architect Philip Ferranti while owned by celebrated opera singer Giuditta Pasta. In the 19th century, it gained the name "Casino Ribiere," reflecting its French proprietor, Ms. Ribier, a distinguished tailor to Milan’s elite. The villa functioned as a vibrant artistic and musical center; notably, composer Gaetano Donizetti is said to have composed his opera Anna Bolena there in 1829. During Pasta’s ownership, the estate was renamed "Villa Roda" and transformed into a neo-classical residence featuring expansive gardens and additional guest accommodations.
Present day
In the early 20th century, the Wild Family acquired and redesigned Villa Roccabruna. Following periods of decline throughout the late 1900s, the estate faced near ruin. It has since been restored and reopened as CastaDiva Resort & Spa, offering 75 guest accommodations, two dining venues, four conference spaces, and a spa spanning 1,330 square meters under the direction of entrepreneur Gabriele Zerbi. The resort’s name pays homage to Casta Diva, the celebrated aria from Norma.
The hotel served as a filming location for Top Gear Series 21 Episode 2 in 2014. In 2018, ownership transferred to Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, which relaunched the property with new management in Spring 2019.
Features
The estate comprises nine buildings housing a total of 21 rooms, 52 suites, and two exclusive private villas. Notable facilities include:
- L˜ARIA, a Michelin-starred restaurant offering Italian-Japanese fusion cuisine
- CO.MO Bar & Bistrot providing all-day dining options
- Pool bar adjacent to a floating swimming pool with a Jacuzzi-equipped deck
- A food truck featuring built-in pizza ovens serving handcrafted pizzas
- Two private spa suites alongside two treatment rooms and a beauty studio
- A Technogym-equipped fitness center
- A heat-and-water experience zone
- An open-air Classical Amphitheatre and a glass-enclosed Greenhouse designed for outdoor functions
- The private Villa del Lago
External links
- Official website of Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como (English)
- Archived site of CastaDiva Resort (English)