Passalacqua
Perched above the village of Moltrasio with seven acres of terraced gardens descending to Lake Como, Passalacqua is a historic 18th-century villa transformed into a 24-suite retreat. Once home to figures like Napoleon, Bellini, and Churchill, this historic estate is now in the care of the De Santis family.
Reimagined with BAMO, Passalacqua embodies a singular expression of Italian hospitality. honoring the past while embracing the present with elegance, intimacy, and invention.
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Location
Lake Como, Italy
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Owner
De Santis Family
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Architect
Venelli Kramer
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Photographer
Courtesy of Client
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Press
HENRY Magazine, Paper City, Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award 2024, The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 | Ranked #2
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Team Members
Pamela Babey, Gabriela Clark, Addy Williams, Julie Mohan
A Living Masterpiece of Ornament
Passalacqua’s ornate detailing is not simply decorative, it’s expressive of time, place, and memory. During restoration, the team uncovered centuries-old elements that guided the design: intricately painted ceilings, creaking parquet floors, frescoed salons, and hand-laid terrazzo rich with floral patterning. These details were not replicated, rather they were amplified.
Gilded mirrors, handblown Murano glass, and custom furnishings from Italian artisans were layered into the composition, creating a sense of enchantment and grandeur that feels entirely of the moment.
No Two Alike
Each of Passalacqua’s 24 suites is a world unto itself, distinct in mood, color, and materiality. Some take their palette from original frescoes, painted ceilings, or the creak of centuries-old parquet; others draw from garden views, filtered light, or the quiet elegance of terrazzo underfoot. Spread across the Villa, Palazz, and Casa al Lago, no two suites are alike.
Bathrooms feature more than twenty types of Italian marble, sourced from Carrara, Verona, and beyond paired with handblown glass, custom vanities, and artisanal finishes. Mirrored minibars are hidden inside antique chests; custom matelassé slipcovers and rich brocades reflect historic hues. Drama and serenity coexist in spaces that reveal themselves slowly, each one layered, personal, and designed to be discovered.
These are not guest rooms.
They are sanctuaries.
History Shapes Hospitality
The De Santis family’s vision for Passalacqua was clear: BAMO was to create a deeply luxurious guest experience while honoring the soul of the estate. The villa itself dictated the path forward. Inspiration was drawn from the light shifting across the lake, the crests of ancient garden walls, the still-functioning tunnel that leads from the main house to the lakeshore. Every element, from function and flow to sightlines and materials, was considered in context. The result is a layered and transportive experience that feels both grand and grounded.
Beyond the interiors, the villa’s terraced gardens, lakeside pool, and alfresco dining echo the rhythms of traditional villeggiatura. There are spaces to gather and spaces to disappear, each bathed with light, scent, and a sense of belonging.
Passalacqua is not a destination.
It’s a return to beauty, to ritual, to the art of living well.
