Passalacqua, a historic villa on Italy's Lake Como, has been recognized as the world's best hotel, drawing a clientele that includes Hollywood stars and international celebrities. The hotel, which boasts rooms starting at approximately $1,600 (€1,500) per night, has previously hosted figures such as Winston Churchill and Napoleon Bonaparte.
Recent celebrity guests have included George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Charlie Puth and his wife Brooks Sansone, Sofia Coppola and her brother Roman Coppola, and John Legend. Actor Keeley Hawes described the hotel on the Travel Secrets podcast as "mind-blowingly beautiful," highlighting its setting, interiors, pool, staff, and food. She noted that the experience feels less like a hotel stay and more like visiting a "very wealthy friend's house."
Piers Morgan also visited, calling the establishment "utterly beautiful" and "breathtaking."
The hotel was voted The World’s Best Hotel at the inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels Awards in 2023 and has since been recognized as one of Europe's finest. It also received the Best Boutique Hotel Award and Best Hotel in Europe Award in the 50 Best Accolades for 2025.
Set within seven acres of landscaped gardens, Passalacqua features 24 guest rooms. The interiors are adorned with silk, extravagant chandeliers, marble, Murano candelabras, antique furnishings, and historic artworks. A pool is situated on a garden terrace offering lake views, and a former greenhouse has been converted into a bar.
Guests can enjoy personalized service and culinary experiences led by chef Viviana Varese. The hotel offers activities such as al fresco lunches, pasta-making sessions, and romantic dinners. Transportation around the property is provided by a vintage Fiat 500.
Guest reviews frequently praise the hotel for its exceptional service and immersive atmosphere. One review described it as "Heaven! Absolutely magnificent!!" while another called their stay "a dream" and "a feast for the senses." Another visitor noted it provided "one of the most memorable dining experiences of our lives."
