lake como's magical mists inspire zoltan varro’s fantastical hotel redesign

zoltan varro’s vision for nuvole garden hotel

The tranquil town of Brunate, known as the Balcony of the Alps, offers a panoramic view of Italy’s majestic Lake Como. It was this vista that inspired Zoltan Varro in his redesign of the historic Grand Hotel Milano in the town. The interior designer found his muse in the morning mist that often blankets the lake – a sight that evoked a childhood tale of the gods of Mount Olympus looking down from the clouds. This moment transformed a hotel destination steeped in tradition into something mythical, a vision now realized in the newly opened Nuvole Garden Hotel in Brunate, Italy.

the Sole Luxury Rooms are facing the lake with door to ceiling windows allowing for full exposure to the sky, mountains, and water below.

design celebrates heritage with magical twist

Zoltan Varro’s work was to restore the beloved art nouveau treasure, which had fallen into disrepair, with a grand plan to create a five-star destination. He ingeniously wove motifs from his misty lake inspiration into the hotel’s distinct spaces. The fine-dining Sole Gourmet Restaurant on the top floor pays homage to the sun, with ceilings that can open to the sky and a central screen that lights up in the evenings, radiating warmth through its subdued golden flourishes. Conversely, the ground-floor BLU restaurant plunges guests into the depths of Lake Como itself. Here, blue and teal hues, a custom carpet mimicking the seafloor, and bubble-style lighting create the feeling of dining underwater with mermaids and fish.

in the Sole Gourmet Restaurant, Zoltan Varro wanted to worship the sun, which is best achieved during the warmer months where the ceilings can be opened up to bask in the sunlight

The hotel’s restoration also celebrates its rich Belle Époque heritage. The adjacent Bar Negroni, with its wood-paneled ceiling and ornate wall sconces, evokes the grandeur of an Edwardian-era ocean liner. Outside, Varro celebrates the la dolce vita lifestyle with a fantastical twist. The courtyard, overlooking the lake, is reimagined as an elegant dining room exposed to the elements – complete with a grand chandelier, fireplace, and handmade mosaic floor. The common interior spaces of the lobby and reception resemble an indoor garden, with floral and hedge-like textures and peacock-patterned chairs, as if nature has crept inside and taken hold.

guests can dine in a scene seemingly right out of the Mad Hatter’s tea party, as the courtyard functions as a grand dining hall exposed to the elements

Varro’s custom design extends to the 80 guest rooms, each telling a part of the story. Rooms facing the lake share the ‘Sole’ theme, with floor-to-ceiling windows, golden accents, and a custom Como-focused print on the curtains and headboards, giving guests the feeling of floating among the clouds. The ‘Cabana’ rooms and suites, inspired by Italian poolside cabanas, offer a cozier feel with flowing curtains and a warm, glowing ambiance. From worshiping sun deities to dining with mermaids, every aspect of the Nuvole Garden Hotel originates from Varro’s vision of the magical Lake Como mists, creating a hotel that celebrates its traditional grandeur with a fantastical, extraordinary aesthetic.

golden touches and warming colors blend into the rooms, while a custom Como-focused print dresses the curtains, the beds’ headboards, and other furnishings.

in the Grand Salon unique floral or hedge-like textures cover the walls and furniture, while bold peacock-patterned chairs wear their Como Gardens reference with pride.

the reception of the enchanted Nuvole Garden hotel

the courtyard overlooking the lake resembles an elegant dining room, with its own chandelier, fireplace, and a handmade mosaic floor fit for the grand villas of the region

at BLU Restaurant, bubble-inspired lights shimmer like air rising from the lakebed, enhancing the underwater illusion with a playful yet refined glow that mirrors the depths of Lake Como

at the center of Sole Gourmet Restaurant, a grand screen is emboldened with the Sole motif, lighting up in the evenings to draw all attention to this altar of the sun

contemporary wooden design of the Spa

the Spa’s sophisticated wooden aesthetic

project info:

name: Nuvole Garden
interior designer: Zoltan Varro / @varrodesign
landscape and garden design: Zoltan Varro Architect / original: Achille Manfredini (1911)

architecture (restoration): Domenico Garritano, Studio Ingegneria

developer: Italiana Hotels & Resorts

project completion: 2025

project size: 6000 m2

photos: Gyorgy Darabos

location: Brunate, Lake Como, Italy

rooms: 80 guest rooms / suites

dining: Sole Gourmet Restaurant, BLU Restaurant, Bar Negroni

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