SAINT-BARTHELEMY - LAGO DI COMO
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SAINT -BARTHELEMY - L AGO DI COMO LAGO DI COMO An astonishing accomplishment of modern classic designed by Patricia Urqioula Vanity Fair il Sereno is Europe’s most luxurious new hotel Bloomberg Step inside Lake Como’s most exclusive new resort Robb Report
LAGO di
COMO
RE-VO-
LU-TION!
Design,
history & il Sereno Lago di Como
cultural heritage Condé Nast Traveller (US)
Bloomberg Pursuits (US)
Architectural Digest (IT)
Elle Decor (IT)
Wallpaper*
5
10
14
22
34
countryandtownhouse If you fancy coming Madame Air France (FR) 36
home with a limited edition #anyaindmarch Le Point (FR) 42
le sereno
washbag, check into Il Sereno hotel in
le sereno villas
Arquitectura y Diseño (ES) 48
#lakecomo, a brand new hotel opening this July, SAINT-BARTHÉLEMY Interior Design (US) 54
designed by #patriciaurquiola @lesereno Bloomberg Pursuits (US) 44
il sereno
villa pliniana Signature Luxury Travel (US) 62
LAGO DI COMO
Photos by Patricia Parinejad, Christian Ott, JP Piter. Villa Pliniana
Design and print by Florence Voix - 6emeconcept.com
Note : We used the original texts from various
Vanity Fair (IT) 64
Publications without any change. We did edit some Casa Vogue (IT) 70
photos for reasons of space and formatting.
Condé Nast Traveller (US) 74
Editor : Luis Contreras - Sereno Hotels Owner. Brides 76
#1 edition - Print in exclusivity at 2000 samples.
Reuters (US) 77
SerenoHotels.com Harper’s Bazaar 81
REAL COOL KID
THE SHORES OF LAKE COMO ARE ELEGANTLY
FRILLED WITH GRANDE DAME HOTELS.
NOW A CLEAN-LINED UPSTART IS BRINGING
AN UNBUTTONED, PARED-BACK LOOK
TO THE PARTY
BY MICHELLE JANA CHAN
Dressed in the genius of Patricia Urquiola,
and with the iconic lake at its feet,
Il Sereno is the epitome of elegance and luxury.
HOW TO GO ABOUT DESIGNING A NEW HOTEL ON LAKE COMO? TWO HARD-AND-FAST RULES: AVOID HISTORICAL; AVOID REPRO. 6 Condé Nast Traveller Condé Nast Traveller 7
WHERE TO STAY
''FANCY A RIDE?' 'Sure,' I said.
Duilio pointed at the mahogany Riva
Jetto tied to the dock. 'That's the pretty
one,' he said, tossing me the keys.
You don't need a boat license. Have fun.'
'Do you need to have it back by a
certain time?' I asked, pretending it was
no big deal.
'No, it's all yours.'
I untied the ropes, turned the keys and
motored, rather too aggressively at first,
into the wide-open, mossy-green waters.
Had I really just been given a Riva to
cruise Lake Como? I pinched myself.
I'm not the first to be seduced by the
unimaginable allure of Como. It has
served as an escape from hot, sweaty,
city summers since the Roman Empire.
The lakeshore architecture is a testament
to this history, from the walled city of
Como built by Julius Caesar to Pliny the
Younger's villa, from Renaissance
Palazzos with grand facades, 10 sash
windows by five, manicured gardens species in the vertiginous green walls.
and cypress trees to pretty little houses On the horizontal plane, landscaper
in butter-yellow, cream and rose with Flavio Pollano has terraced the rock-
MADLY, DEEPLY
terracotta-tiled roofs. face, planting orange trees, oleander, STARCHITECT PATRICIA URQUIOLA'S
Yet it is still the lake itself that's the fan palms and a large plane tree beside LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE LAKE
wonder, more like three steep-sided the green-marble lap pool.
fjords joined at a nexus – which by There is a very good casual restaurant, 'What I like best about Lake Como is the
chance is the enchanting town of Bellagio with seating outside and in, by Andrea feeling that you are back in the 1950s.
– with slender proportions and deep Berton of Milan's one-Michelin-starred I adore the colours, the changing light
waters bound by imposing mountains Ristorante Berton. It serves pan-fried throughout the day, the green and blue
clad in chestnut trees and conifers. verallo fish from the lake, caught by a reflections in the water, the sharp lines
Where the cliffs are too sheer, pale gra- groundsman, a two-inch-high veal of the mountains and sky. For those of
nite peeps through the thick vegetation. Milanese coated in breadcrumbs as fine us living and working in Milan, Como is
The latest, greatest place to stay among as pixels, and al dente minestrone which our closest escape. It makes a nice
all this incredible loveliness is Il Sereno, tastes more like a warm, crunchy salad. break for lunch on a sunny day. I like to
the second property by have Le Sereno But it's still complicated, not least in part Urquiola's or very obvious inspi- the atrium is a stairway caged by glass All of this is paired mostly with Italian just sit outside and watch the lake, or
in St. Barth's, a handsome hotel, clean because Mr and Mrs Contreras are ration, or starting place. But instead of and vertical copper poles with wide, wines, including 20 choices of grape and take a small motor boat to get out on the
and elementary, and the favourite of a architects themselves, as is their daughter, concrete here there is glass and sliding heavy-set treads that seem to levitate. spumante that puts Champagne to shame. water. Looking at its surface has such a
Manhattan crowd. The family choose Il Sereno has been crowned the innova-
calming effect on me. One of my favou-
and their sons are engineers, which is louvres made of toulipier wood; it's still In the 30 suites, which all face the lake,
their destinations well. And their
rite places on the lakeshore is the 16th
the training you might need to build a boxy and linear with strong grid work, there are dozens of styles of chair, sofa tive, invigorating design hotspot on the
century Villa Pliniana, where the Sereno
designers. In St. Barth's they went with hotel jutting over the water and cut into yet camouflaged by wobbly reflections and lounger – hand-braided nautical lake. And the Contreras family tells me
hotel group holds special events. The
Parisian mastermind Christian Liagre. the solid rock of a cliff-face. But the of the lake and green walls. There are rope; a mix of leather and worsted-spun they are dreaming up a third hotel in
waterfalls, coming down the mountain
Here, they plumped for Patricia family assure me they aren't meddlesome. echoes of Scandinavian cabins and fabrics in saddlebag brown, denim blue Venice, and then perhaps the South of
behind it actually flow through the villa
Urquiola, one of the most prolific and I called [Urquiola] because she's better Japanese ryokans where nature plays a and steel grey – alongside iridescent France, promising new properties with and into the lake. That cascading water
talked-about interior, furniture and than us,' the father, Ignazio Contreras, more dominant role than the man-made. glass tables shimmering in the pinks, enviable addresses with the most has been written about for 2,000 years,
product designers (Mandarin Oriental in says frankly and with a twinkle. 'She's 'We didn't want to make an impact,' blues and greens of soap bubbles. In the sought-after designers. by the likes of Pliny the Younger and
Barcelona, Das Stue in Berlin), who a hurricane.' Ignazio tells me. ‘You don't want to bathrooms tortoiseshell travertine sinks I loved the location. And I loved the Leonardo da Vinci. The guest list of those
also dabbles in architecture. And boy, Como has a long history of architectural come to a place like Como and say, stand opposite matt-white bathtubs. And design. But of course what I loved most who have stayed at the villa is incredible
she has created a modern masterpiece. movements, even as recently as the early “We are here, we've arrived.”’ the lighting is just right; bright lamps were the three Rivas. And really that is and includes Byron, Shelley, Puccini,
So how to go about designing a new 20th century. The simple, stark Casa de But move inside and the design statement for reading and subtle elsewhere. the only thing you should do on Como. Bellini, Liszt and Rossini, who composed
hotel on Lake Como to stand proud next Fascio in the town of Como is a precursor is strong. As the new art director at The gardens are bountiful, thanks to Take a boat out. Hug the shore with all the opera Tancredi there. The history, the
to big-hitters such as Villa d'Este and to modernism and seriously radical Cassina and a key player at B & B Patrick Blanc, a rock-star botanist with its glories. Then make your way to the heritage, this is what makes Lake Como
Villa Tremezzo? Two hard-and-fast when you realize it was constructed not Italia, Moroso and Alessi, Urquiola is an green hair and green nail polish, who's middle of the lake, kill the engine, take so very special.'
rules: avoid historical; avoid repro. far off 100 years ago. The building was, interiors phenomenon. At the centre of responsible for the 300 different plant off your clothes and jump in.
8 Condé Nast Traveller Condé Nast Traveller 9
Il Sereno Is Europe's Most
Luxurious New Hotel
It's a bold claim, but it sure stands up.
important female designer in the In the airy, living room-like lobby, for: geometric “Silverlake” armchairs
by Nikki Ekstein world today” by the CEO of the Urquiola and a local builder have designed by Urquiola and produced
Italian home design brand Boffi. So created a 22-foot-tall walnut wood by Moroso (test-drive them in the
Didn’t snag an invite to crash with western corner of the glamorous, fellow jetsetters will think you’re when you tell an interior design afi- staircase where each step looks lobby and buy here for $1,700, if you
George and Amal Clooney at their horseshoe-shaped lake. already a regular. cionado that you’re sleeping in like it’s floating in mid-air. As if it so desire); and sculpted wood ta-
villa in Lake Como this summer? But this isn’t just another Lake rooms of her design, as you will at wasn’t dramatic enough, the whole bles in all of the suite’s terraces.
Shrug it off. All the cool kids are Como grand dame, filled with cen- Il Sereno, their ears will perk up, thing is shrouded by a boxy struc- They tables are made in Botswana
staying somewhere else this year tury-old antiques or crushed velvet Custom Pieces guaranteed. ture made from copper pipes. —one of the few exceptions to the
anyway. window drapes. This is Lake Como all-Italian rule—and run a cool
for the next generation. It’s less
Everywhere—Including Owner Luis Contreras and his Nearly all of the furniture in the $7,000. The tally for 30 of them:
Opening on August 1, Il Sereno Oscar de la Renta and more Some You Can Buy partners gave Urquiola two main lobby and suites comes from top nearly a quarter-million dollars.
Lago di Como is one of 2016’s most Alexander Wang. mandates: create the same open Italian names like B&B Italia, Cas-
hotly anticipated hotel debuts—and Milan-based designer Patricia concept feel that makes the St. sina, and Molteni—much of it pur-
perhaps the buzziest, most stylish The hotel’s 30 suites run upwards Urquiola is known for many things. Barths property so special, and use pose-designed by Urquiola and The Most Serene
new place to stay in all of Europe. It’s of $800 per night and are already She’s designed furniture collections as many local artisans as possible. then manufactured locally. “Even
a spinoff of the exclusive Le Sereno sold out for the first few weeks. For for Louis Vuitton and B&B Italia, has (Milan, after all, is less than 40 the mattresses for the bed are
Place for Sundowners
in Saint Barthélemy, built by the those who can get in while it’s still work in New York’s Museum of miles away—and the countryside made a few miles from Como,” in All of Como
same owners; it’s on the edge of a peak season, here’s a primer on the Modern Art, and earned royal dis- between the fashion capital and said Contreras in an interview.
cliff in a quiet and secluded Como hotel’s most impressive design fea- tinction in her home country of Como is home to many of the Sit on the hotel’s main terrace, lined
town called Torno, set on the south- tures. Pocket the intel and your Spain. She’s been called “the most world’s best furniture makers.) The most special pieces to look out with plush couches and nest chairs
10 Bloomberg Bloomberg 11
in ivory and wood tones, and you’ll
have picture-perfect views in every
direction. Straight ahead: the wide
open expanse of Lake Como, with
terracotta roofs peeking out from the
mountains along its shores. Above
you: open skies, or retractable shades
in a brilliant white fabric. And behind
you: Le Mirroir Vert du Lac ("The
Lake’s Green Mirror"), one of two
vertical gardens created for the hotel
by world-class botanist Patrick Blanc.
It’s made up of 2,000 individual plants
and more than 130 individual species,
according to Contreras.
The Chicest Way
to Get to Dinner in
Bellagio
No trip to Como is complete without
zipping around the lake, James Bond-
style, in a gleaming, all-wood motor-
boat. Il Sereno has two of them,
custom-designed by Urquiola and
crafted by boatbuilding legends at the
250-year-old Cantiere Ernesto Riva.
Their distinctive feature? Extra tall
cabins, so you can comfortably stand
up to take in the scenery. Use them to
zip up to Bellagio, a half hour north of
Torno town—no license needed.
Where VIPs Will Stay—
and a Quick History
Lesson
About a half-mile from Il Sereno, the
Contreras family is operating another,
more traditional exclusive-use pro- and Percy Shelley both wrote about A Gift for Each Guest
perty called Villa Pliniana, which also its beauty. Said Percy in a letter to a
bears design from Urquiola. It dates to friend dated 1818, “On one side is
Those fabulous silk scarves in each
the 16th century and is set on 18 lake- the mountain, and immediately over
room aren’t just decorative objects.
front aces, with 19 bedrooms and you are clusters of cypress-trees of
They’re made with local silk, in
three stand-alone villas on its grounds. an astonishing height, which seem to
patterns designed by Urquiola—just
(The whole place sleeps 39 guests.) pierce the sky. Above you from among
like all the staff uniforms—and serve
If you’re thinking “celebrities and their the clouds, as it were descends a
as souvenirs to take home. Beats
entourages” or “wedding of the waterfall of immense size, broken by
stealing the bathrobe.
century,” you’re spot on—not least the woody rocks into a thousand
because of the villa’s incredibly history. channels to the lake. On the other
side is seen the blue extent of the
According to a rep for the hotel, the lake and the mountains speckled
villa’s site was noted in the history with sails and spires…”
books as early as the first century
A.D., when Pliny the Elder wrote Not checking in with 38 of your closest
about a fountain in its courtyard. friends and family? No matter. Get a
Among its later admirers: Napoleon glimpse of the spectacular property
and Lord Byron. Leonardo da Vinci while you’re sailing around the vicinity.
12 Bloomberg 13
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST. LE PIÙ BELLE CASE DEL MONDO
il sereno lago di Como
Eleganza
naturale
Sulle sponde del lago di Como il nuovo
hotal firmato da Patricia Urquiola
dialoga con la nature circostante. Grazie
a materiali locali e a tre rigogliosi
giardini verticali.
progretto di PATRICIA URQUILOA
testo di ELENA DALLORSO - fotografie di PATRICIA PARINEJAD
Architectural Digest 15
Tranquilità essenziale Architectural Digest 17
UNA SFIDA A 360 GRADI. PARLA LO CHEF ANDREA BERTON
Classe 1970, Andrea Berton (nella anche qui riparto da zero puntando
foto) è uno dei più talentuosi discepoli appunto sui prodotti del territorio,
di Gualtiero Marchesi. L’abbiamo a iniziare dal pesce, salmerino e persico.
incontrato nel suo ristorante milanese E poi c’ è una cosa che mi piace molto
e gli abbiamo chiesto di parlarci della in questa avventura: lavorare
sua ultima sfida, il Berton al Lago a a 360° con il ristorante, le colazioni
Torno, sul lago di Como. «L’ idea e il servizio food a bordo piscina». !
è nata grazie a Patricia Urquiola che
ha progettato il Sereno, l’hotel 5 stelle
lusso dove è ospitato il locale. Tramite lei
e suo marito ho conosciuto la proprietà,
ci siamo piaciuti e, come si dice, da cosa è
nata cosa. L’ interior design è ovviamente
di Patricia, nella cui visione estetica
per intenditori trovo molte a!nità con la filosofia della
mia cucina. In particolare il modo
di rileggere in chiave contemporanea
la tradizione, spingendo sul registro della
leggerezza e della semplicità». Perché
for connoisseurs…
il lago di Como, chiediamo? «Il Lario
è amatissimo dai turisti per il paesaggio,
le strutture e anche il cibo. Com’ è mia
abitudine ogni volta che apro un locale,
18 Architectural Digest Architectural Digest 19ITALIA
EXTRA-
ORDINARY
DESIGN
Sul lago di Como
L'hotel il Sereno, l'ultimo progetto
di Patricio Urquiola: un dialogo con
la natura e la storia
di Rosaria ZucconiL’APPRODO
Trasparente, misurata, l’architettura SUL LAGO DI COMO SI AFFACCIA UNA NUOVA
si immerge nel paesaggio. Pagina
accanto, Patricia Urquiola sbarca
ARCHITETTURA: IL SERENO, L’HOTEL PROGETTATO DA
dalla tipica Vaporina, customizzata PATRICIA URQUIOLA. UN SENSIBILE DIALOGO CON
Il Sereno, dei cantieri Ernesto Riva, UN CONTESTO STORICO E NATURALE DAVVERO UNICO
eccellenza locale dal 1771.
di Rosaria Zucconi — foto di Kasia Gatkowska
24 Elle Decor Elle Decor 25Il cortile a cielo aperto con scultura verde di Patrick Blanc illumina la reception. Design Urquiola per il Bend Sofa di B&B Italia, le poltrone Lilo di Moroso, il tappeto custom made di Ruckstuhl e il tavolino Shimmer di Glas Italia, con lampada di Anastassiades. Tavolini di Cassina. 26 Elle Decor Elle Decor 27
LA PARTICOLARE LUCE DEL LAGO ENTRA NELLA LOUNGE
DALLA TERRAZZA PERIMETRALE. ARREDI DI DESIGN ITALIANO
E SU PROGETTO, MATERIALI E COLORI NATURALI TRASMETTONO
AGLI OSPITI UN SENSO DI RILASSANTE ELEGANZA.
Nella biblioteca della lounge, che
continua nella terrazza, poltrona
di Cassina, design di Franco Albini,
divano Husk di B&B Italia, tappeto di
Warli. Pagina accanto, dall’alto, uno
spazio di convivialità con poltrone
di Coedition, tavolini di Cassina
e divani di Moroso, come quelli
della foto in basso, che si alternano
con modelli di B&B Italia, mobili
d’appoggio in legno e marmo, su
disegno, lampada Flos. All’esterno,
l’acqua della piscina incontra il lago.
28 Elle Decor Elle Decor 29È felice Patricia Urquiola quando sbarca dalla classica
Vaporina del cantiere Ernesto Riva, di cui ha curato il design
degli interni, guardando Il Sereno. “Questo hotel 5 stelle nasce
in un territorio speciale, con un genius loci storico e naturalistico
molto forte, la sua architettura vuole essere un’interpretazione
in chiave contemporanea dell’identità lariana che affascina tutto
il mondo. Il rapporto di empatia e di complicità culturale con
la proprietà, la famiglia venezuelana Contreras, è alla base del
progetto. L’amore per il lago di Como di Luis Contreras, che
si è trasferito in Italia per rendere tutto questo realizzabile,
mi ha contagiato dal primo momento. Al centro di ogni pensiero
è stato il rapporto con l’ambiente. Come guardi il lago e come
il lago guarda te, come la piscina a pelo d’acqua protetta dalle
rocce naturali non si percepisce dal lago, ma regala l’emozione
di immergersi nelle sue acque. La luce è stata l’altro elemento
imprescindibile, è brillante e soffusa, magica al tramonto. È stata
sempre concepita dal fuori al dentro. Inevitabilmente la mia
memoria è andata a Giuseppe Terragni e alla Casa del Fascio
a Como, icona dell’architettura razionalista che esalta uno dei
temi che sento di più, le logge, elemento di profondità in facciata.
In ogni camera la luce entra attraverso logge di generose
proporzioni e si diffonde all’interno, pian piano sfumando sul
fondo. Nei corridoi dai colori neutri e pareti in legno la luce
è minima, si entra nelle stanze dal buio”. Guidati dall’architetto
Urquiola ripercorriamo ogni dettaglio del progetto. Dall’arrivo
via terra, attraverso il caratteristico paese di Torno, nel piccolo
piazzale lungolago. L’attenzione è subito catturata da un segno
contemporaneo: il portale di accoglienza immerso nel giardino.
Da qui una leggera passerella corre sospesa fino alla grande
terrazza su cui si affaccia la lounge, portando lo sguardo sugli
spazi relax, con piscina e imbarcadero. ”Inizialmente la nuova
architettura doveva crescere sopra la darsena, ma dopo
un costruttivo dialogo con gli enti locali abbiamo pensato
di arretrarla di 4 metri. Dal lago la tradizionale rimessa delle
barche è ancora percepita come elemento del paesaggio”.
Si è così creato un nuovo spazio all’aperto: la terrazza. Da qui
l’ingresso all’hotel si apprezza come una fessura alta e buia,
una secca entrata nell’architettura, stretta tra la roccia e il lago.
Dal buio alla luce, grazie al taglio orizzontale sulla parete
del corridoio e al piccolo cortile a cielo aperto nella reception.
Al centro del piano terra un volume trasparente, che l’architetto
Urquiola definisce il cuore pubblico dell’edificio, penetra
dall’interno fino al livello del lago. Avvolto da una palafitta
di tubi in rame, per rendere invisibile la struttura di sostegno,
contiene uno scenografico scalone con gradini sospesi che porta
alla darsena. La rimessa per le barche di un tempo è recuperata
come spazio di convivialità, con il ristorante Berton al Lago, meta
gourmand internazionale, aperto agli ospiti non residenti. “Oggi
il concetto di lusso per un hotel 5 stelle consiste nella qualità del In alto, Patricia Urquiola nella
sistema costruttivo, rigorosamente sostenibile, e nel rapporto che terrazza con arredi di B&B Italia.
riesce a creare con un intorno di valore. L’architettura ti riceve, Sul muro l’opera, intitolata ‘Miroir
ti invita nelle parti comuni, ti accompagna alle stanze, ti lascia vert du lac’ di Patrick Blanc, porta il
memoria del luogo”, conclude Urquiola. Gli ospiti de Il Sereno verde in facciata. Pagina accanto,
il corridoio d’ingresso con pareti
respirano l’aria dolce del lago, sentono l’architettura, ne
altissime, legno da barca sul soffitto
diventano partecipi. Nelle logge sono entusiasti di poter spostare e il taglio di luce sull’intervento di
i frangisole in legno per disegnare il loro rapporto esclusivo con Blanc ‘Le Canyon’, una nuova pelle
il paesaggio. — botanica tra la roccia e l’architettura.
ELLE DECor 31Dall’alto, desk in marmo verde
laguna. Nella darsena il ristorante
con poltroncine Husk di B&B Italia.
Andrea Berton e, in basso, Raffaele
Lenzi, executive chef del ristorante
Berton al Lago. Nella camera, la
doccia si apre sulla loggia con arredi
Moroso. In piscina, in primo piano,
daybed Cottage di Kettal. Pagina
accanto, lo scalone (realizzato da
Fontanot) definito dalla palafitta di
tubi in rame, il ristorante interno
e l’ingresso-feritoia all’hotel.
32 Elle Decor Elle Decor 33The lounge/terrace with urquiola’s custom
walnut table, produced by interior plus; custom
pouffes, produced by moroso, in kvadrat fabric;
and ‘tropicalia’ chairs, for moroso.
Opposite, sliding wood louvres bring
dynamism to the exterior.
Clean
break
A new Lake Como hotel
by Patricia Urquiola discreetly
reflects its surroundings
WRITER: GUY DITTRICH
The vertiginous topography of Lake Como, in greenery or boats – is reflected in the interiors of own portfolio of designs for Italian brands such as into the lake and is complemented by a private
the Southern Italian Alps, is home to a new the hotel,’ says Urquiola. ‘I have tried to integrate Cassina, Kettal, Moteni, B & B Italia and Moroso, beach. The restaurant is reached by descending a
hotel. Perched on the lake’s eastern shore, il the identity of the place in a contemporary way.’ which serve to expand the local connection. ‘I am staircase of ‘floating’ walnut treads surrounded by
Sereno Lago di Como is a sister property to the very proud to be using them,’ says Urquiola. Specially a forest of copper-bronze metal rods. Milanese
Christian Liaigre-designed Le Sereno Saint- This is evident in the use of local stone Ceppo di commissioned for the hotel are door handles by Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton prepares a
Barthelemy in the Caribbean. Gré and Pietra de Fossena, in the walnut used for Olivari, Axor Hansgrohe taps, lighting by Flos and the menu that offers rich local Lombardian produce
rough-cut wall panels, and in the subtle palette of ‘Lariana’ bathtub by Agape. along with wines from the Valtellina valley.
This time, the cultured hand of Spanish architect earthy greys and browns, accented with a few
Patricia Urquiola has been involved in every detail of greens. Enhancing the link between indoors and Guests arrive at a 20ft-tall entrance door through ‘There is no “wow” effect’ says Urquiola, who ins-
the new property. The ‘absolutely clean’ architecture out are architectural elements such as the black gardens planted by vertical garden inventor Patrick tead points to a more subtle emotional response.
is a series of loggias topped by a flat garden roof, ins- steel balustrade mesh, which is repeated in the Blanc, who has also installed three works of art fea- ‘Guests should feel everything is in its place and there
pired by the modernist Casa del Fascio, designed by interiors and in the silicone-jointed decking of the turing thousands of plants. A walk-way looks down is nothing more than necessary.’ Indeed nothing is
Italian architect Giuseppe Terragni, while the inter- hotel’s three Riva boats, made at the brand’s boa- on the lake-level restaurant, Ristorante Berton Al left to chance: the architect has even thought to
iors have a subtle connection to the surroundings. tyard on the neighbouring Lake Iseo. Furnishings Lago, and the 18m infinity pool, which set along design scarves, woven from locally spun silk, for the
‘What guests see from the view – the water, stone, meanwhile include select pieces from Urquiola’s part of the resort’s 140m shoreline, drops directly staff uniforms.
34 Wallpaper* Wallpaper* 35La magie
DU LAC
Lake Como dreams
L’architecte d’intérieur Patricia Urquiola signe
l’hôtel Il Sereno Lago di Como, réalisant à Torno
un brillant exercice de design, en écho aux eaux du lac
de Côme dans une fluidité délicate et chic.
–
With its design by Patricia Urquiola, the hotel Il Sereno
Lago di Como is an ode to contemporary comfort and
elegance, echoing the beauty of Italy’s most famous lake.
Par FRANÇOISE HA VINH38 Madame Air France Madame Air France 39
40 Madame Air France Madame Air France 41
TENDANCESÉVASION
Pierre, bois et jardins :
l’hôtel Il Sereno se fond
dans le paysage idyllique.
Onde design sur le lac Une vue imprenable
sur les rives du lac.
Italie. Le lac de Côme l y avait Cernobbio, George Clooney carne l’excellence du design italien »,
s’enorgueillit I et la Villa d’Este. Il y aura désormais Il
Sereno. Tout juste inauguré sur la rive
est du lac de Côme, cet étonnant bouti-
confirme Luis Contreras, propriétaire du
groupe Sereno Hotel, qui élargit ainsi
son portfolio à l’Europe, après avoir
désormais d’un quehôtel vient révolutionner le petit lancé en 2005 sur l’île de Saint-Barthé-
hôtel d’architecte. monde de l’hôtellerie comasque,
jusqu’ici cantonné à un classicisme
lemy le premier Sereno mis en scène par
une autre pointure de l’architecture :
Visite des lieux en certes remarquable – styles Renaissance Christian Liaigre.
exclusivité. et néoclassique en tête –, mais un brin
ampoulé. Ici, inutile de chercher loges à
Tout en menant la visite, notre hôte
peine à y croire : « Il y a moins de trois se-
arcades, colonnes en marbre et autres maines, le site était encore un véritable
plafonds peints, la déco se fait résolu- chantier… N’oublions pas que nous
ment contemporaine. Et pour cause, sommes partis de rien. »
c’est à l’Espagnole Patricia Urquiola, Tout commence justement au Sereno Dans les (très) vastes
l’une des designers les plus en vogue du Saint-Barthélemy. Au hasard d’une dis- chambres du Sereno : les pieds
moment, basée à Milan, que l’établisse- cussion, Luis confie à des clients – ita- dans l’eau, ou presque…
ment a confié les rênes du projet. « Nous liens – son envie de s’implanter sur le
voulions absolument quelqu’un qui in- Vieux Continent, plus particulièrement
42 Le Point Le Point 43sur les rives du lac de Côme. Le voeu ne barde par excellence, utilisée pour les bains ; les deux jardins verticaux conçus
tombe pas dans l’oreille d’un sourd : les murs du lobby, des chambres et des sa- par Patrick Blanc – l’un ornant la façade,
Lombards finissent par le rappeler et lui lons ; les tonalités – vert, gris et bleu – des l’autre, un puits de lumière ; la piscine en
suggèrent la Villa Flora, un hôtel-restau- tissus et des revêtements qui semblent granit de Verde Karzai et ses reflets dé-
rant décrépit situé à Torno, au bord de se fondre dans les paysages. Ou encore la tonnants; la passerelle suspendue entre
l’eau, face aux nombreux villages s’égre- corona lombarda (coiffe traditionnelle) le jardin et le lobby ; les deux canots Riva
nant sur les versants des Alpes. Autant scarifiée dans le marbre du couloir, der- pour des balades dans la lagune ; la cui-
dire un cadre idyllique et préservé, dans rière la cave à vins. sine du chef Raffaele Lenzi, qui s’amuse
lequel la marque pourrait incarner ses aussi bien avec les poissons du lac
valeurs : confidentialité (établissement Pour le reste, l’architecte livre une déco- qu’avec une simple caprese (tomatemoz-
de petite capacité – en l’occurrence, ici, ration des plus audacieuses, jouant avec zarelle); et, enfin, le service haut de
30 unités avec vue sur le lac), grands es- les perspectives, les transparences et les gamme, discret et chaleureux.
paces (notamment dans les chambres) et lignes graphiques. On y retrouve ses
design très personnalisé. Nous sommes musts (conçus entre autres pour Cas- Au Sereno, dehors et dedans, paysages et
alors au début des années 2010 et le pro- sina, Moroso et B & B Italia), à com- design interagissent en permanence,
jet n’en est qu’à ses balbutiements… mencer par les collections outdoor dans la lignée de son aîné saint-barthi-
(Crinoline, Canasta’13, Tropicalia), les nois. Une collection serait-elle née ?
Six ans plus tard, dont trois de travaux, chaises de bureau Mathilda, les sofas Samy Ghachem, directeur général, ne
la silhouette rectiligne et épurée du Se- Husk et la baignoire Agape Lariana. s’en cache pas : le groupe lorgnerait déjà
reno, tout en baies vitrées, pierre et bois, Venise, Verbier, Ibiza et le sud de la
se dresse enfin sur le rivage, telle la proue Mais on y découvre aussi quelques pé- France. Mais ici pas d’emballement ni
d’un bateau s’élançant sur les flots. Des pites créées pour l’hôtel, comme cette d’ouvertures tous azimuts. On se plaît à
terrasses principales aux balcons des table d’hôtes en marbre «Verde Laguna» prendre son temps. Celui de dénicher la
chambres, impossible d’échapper au lac. installée face au bar ou encore ces perle rare ; le site exceptionnel. Pour
Partout, meubles, couleurs, matériaux lampes boules ceintes d’un large galon mieux s’abandonner à la sérénité.
semblent lui faire écho. Si Patricia Ur- en cuir. On retiendra pêle-mêle la qualité
quiola s’est employée à bousculer les des matériaux avec en tête le bois de MARION TOURS
codes, elle ne s’est pas moins inspirée de noyer, omniprésent ; l’escalier central
la culture et de l’art de vivre de la région. bordé de longues tiges en bronze entre- Il Sereno, lago di Como, Torno.
En témoigne la pierre de Moltrasio, hé- croisées ; la surface des chambres (à par- A partir de 75 euros la nuit,
ritée de l’ancienne bâtisse, qu’on re- tir de 60 mètres carrés) – fait rarissime www.ilsereno.com.
trouve dans les fondations et l’ancien sur les rives à moins de s’offrir une suite; Fermé de novembre à avril.
hangar à bateaux (futur spa). En témoi- les tonalités cuivrées (Travertino Noce, Ouverture du spa au printemps.
gnent aussi le ceppo di gre, pierre lom- robinetterie, lumières) dans les salles de
La corona lombarda
(coiffe traditionnelle)
scarifiée dans le marbre.
Passerelle suspendue
entre le jardin et le lobby.
44 Le PointLes jardins verticaux
conçus
par Patrick Blanc
Le Point 47EL
Lago
HOTEL
DEL
El nuevo hotel de Patricia Urquiola, Il Sereno, emerge de las aguas
del lago Como y se sitúa como nueva pieza imprescindible
de este lugar excepcional del norte de Italia.
POR MÒNICA ARTIGASE n un escenario mítico por su belleza na-
tural, donde los Alpes se vuelven ama-
bles por amor al lago di Como, emerge
en el municipio de Torno el nuevo Hotel
Il Sereno, la última gran obra de la arquitecta y diseñadora
asturiana Patricia Urquiola. Aguardado durante meses por
quienes adoran el enclave y por los seguidores de su artífice
afincada en Milán, se trata del primer hotel de nueva
construcción a orillas del famoso lago en décadas, y de ahí
también la expectación que ha despertado su apertura. El
resultado, la foto final: una joya que, en su exterior, enlaza
con el paisaje con maestría, y en su interior se convierte en
un santuario de diseño que entiende el lujo con tranquilidad
y elegancia.
Con 30 habitaciones de entre 65 y 200 metros cuadrados,
todas con terraza y vistas sobre uno de los lagos más bellos
del mundo, su fachada es una combinación grácil y trans-
parente, sin estridencias, de materiales naturales –cristal,
madera de nogal, mármol travertino… –donde se integra
un jardín vertical del botánico Patrick Blanc, “Le Mirror
Vert du Lac”, con más de 2.000 especies e inspirado en el
movimiento del agua. En el interior, la sólida propuesta de
Urquiola incluye una zona central que actúa como lobby
construida en base al bronce y la madera de nogal sobre la
50 Architectura y Diseño Architectura y Diseño 51“
VIAJAR TANTO
ES PARA MÍ EL
LUJO: SEGUIR
METIÉNDOME
COSAS EN “
LA CABEZA
que luce una obra icónica: una escalera de grandes esca-
lones encastados que flota sobre la sala. Los materiales
básicos y los detalles de las zonas comunes y de las habi-
taciones son un canto a los colores y a los orígenes locales:
abundan el mármol travertino, las paredes y suelos de ter-
razo veneciano y los elementos con tonalidades grises,
azules y verdes, la misma paleta que se encuentra en las
aguas, en las rocas, en las arboledas del entorno.
Como si los elementos del interior y exterior quisieran
convertirse en un todo, y gracias a Patrick Blanc, el hotel
es una obra de arte botánica constante. Y el jardín, una de
sus perlas, donde una imponente piscina infinity sobre las
aguas del lago corona el espectáculo natural. Una de las
curiosidades del edificio se encuentra en el restaurante del
chef Andrea Berton. Se trata del antiguo embarcadero sobre
el que, en realidad, se construyó el hotel. Hoy es zona de
mesas con sombra y vistas: un vestigio perfectamente en-
marcado dentro de la proeza de Urquiola.
52 Architectura y Diseño Architectura y Diseño 53INTERIOR
DESIGN
where serenity reigns
far from the madding celebrity crowds on Italy’s Lake Como
sits Il Sereno, an idyllic hotel by Patricia Urquiola
text : Craig KellogTo steal a peek at George Clooney’s 18th-century retreat in northern Italy, board your seaplane or take your yacht for a lap around Lake Como. From the air or the water, Casa Clooney comes into view amid a profusion of storybook vil- las and palazzi, all set against the snowcapped Alps—no wonder this idyllic place is a magnet for Hollywood actors along with other members of the global elite. Then, after you’ve had your fill of celebrity voyeurism and architectural nostalgia, you can cross the lake to dock at Il Sereno Lago di Como, a modernist-minded boutique hotel by Patricia Urquiola. The Interior Design Hall of Fame member has made her reputation with a bravura use of color and pat- tern, however this latest hotel showcases her at her most restrained. It was while traveling in the U.S. that she met the fledgling Sereno Hotels group’s owners, who had already commis- sioned another Hall of Fame member, Christian Liaigre, to design their first property, Le Sereno on St. Barts. For each location, it was important to the owners to have a single firm oversee both the architecture and the interiors. That dual responsibility gave her the control to integrate inside and out, via certain materials specified for the two places. At the start of the project, she razed the existing hotel on the site, leaving the old stone dock in place to become the base of a new five-story structure. Its subsequent archi- tectural references derive from in-depth studies—a habit acquired back when Achille Castiglioni was her thesis ad- viser. She based the grid form of the hotel facade on the region’s singular modernist masterpiece, a perfectly square white government building that Giuseppe Terragni comple- ted in 1936 opposite the cathedral in Como proper. Loggia balconies in a local gray flecked breccia stone create the grid’s horizontal lines. To update the gesture, she added vertical louvers that guests are encouraged to readjust throughout the day. “You take a photo of the facade in the morning, and you’ll see changes by the afternoon,” she says. “I encourage natural variations that are connected with a place, with the light.” 56 Interior Design Interior Design 57
A blank swath of wall on the facade of Terragni’s building pro- notes that terrazzo is an element typical of Palladian archi-
ved handy for mounting oversize political banners. At Il Se- tecture around Lake Como.
reno, Urquiola asked punk botanist Patrick Blanc to unfurl one
of his signature vertical gardens on a similar bare patch. Blanc “The lake—it’s always present,” she says. In the guest rooms,
also greened a lot-line wall seen through the low windows of just 30 of them, headboard walls are upholstered in a jac-
the entry corridor. At the point where the corridor reaches the quard that presents water imagery, digitally abstracted by her
reception area, the garden element disengages from the wall studio, while other walls are paneled in nautically inspired
to plummet, like a plant-covered eagle’s talon dramatically smooth walnut planks. The same wood clads ceilings in the
outstretched, into a courtyard right outside. “Land-art sculp- bathrooms, each with a large window facing the lake. About
ture” is her term for this intervention. half of them boast a double sink vanity in an unusual, unu-
sually decadent brown travertine.
Breccia stone reappears in reception and the lobby lounge.
They furthermore incorporate groups of Urquiola’s distinctive Across from the sinks, the freestanding, lozenge-shape tub
furniture, including her long-standing best sellers for Cassina, is a design that she developed specifically for Il Sereno but
where she has served as art director since last year. The color has now put into production to sell globally. She reverted to
palette for fabrics is “locally sourced,” if you will. Sky blue for existing production pieces, barrel chairs and a cocktail table
the generous sofas is complemented, for their throw pillows, in tubular aluminum interlaced with thick rope, for the pen-
by a leafy green and a moody blue-green recalling the lake. thouse suite’s spectacular wraparound terrace. Like the log-
gias below, it’s fronted by blackened-steel balustrades strung
Guests who arrive for dinner in the restaurant, helmed by a with netting to evoke Lake Como’s fishermen. Catch George
Michelin-starred chef from Milan, descend a walnut staircase Clooney if you can.
that seems to float inside a cage of slim coppery tubes. At the
restaurant’s threshold, flooring switches to terrazzo, which
Urquiola tattooed with a decorative fan pattern taken from the
hair combs historically sported by the ladies of Lombardy. She
Interior Design 59When you tell an interior
aficionado that you’re sleeping in
rooms of Patricia Urquiola’s design,
as you will at il Sereno, their ears
will perk up, guaranteed.
60 Bloomberg 61signature luxury
TRAVEL
& style
The 30 oversized suites finished with expansive furnished terraces
and pictures-perfect lake views.CARPE DIEM 64
66 Vanity Fair Vanity Fair 67
CARPE DIEM
Vanity Fair 69o melhor de dois mundos
O esperadíssimo Il Sereno é quase uma ovelha negra entre
os hotéis que rodeiam o Lago de Como, na Itália. Sem orna-
mentos dourados ou lustres do século passado, o prédio mo-
derno foi erguido e decorado por Patricia Urquiola,
conhecida pelo clash de cores e texturas, que une a exube-
rância maximalista e a pureza minimalista.
“A intenção era criar um santuário contemporâneo com uma
relação forte coma natureza”, explica a espanhola. Todos os
elementos foram escolhidos para que a construção se
confundisse com a paisagem meditativa: a paleta de cores
com cinza, marrons, verdes e azuis, os materiais naturais e a
grande abertura para o exterior.
Entre os destaques dos interiores, a utilização ousada do
ceppo lombardo, mineral de Bérgamo muito adotado nas fa-
chadas do início do século 20, e a escada central, com de-
graus de nogueira que parecem flutuar.
A designer também trouxe um olhar contemporâneo para a
Villa Pliniana, palácio do século 16 do grupo, ao lado do Il
Sereno, disponível para eventos. Patricia respeitou os orna-
mentos antigos, mas trocou os móveis de veludo e formas
arredondadas por peças mais atuais. Difícil achar exemplo
melhor de como estilos contrastantes podem coexistir em
harmonia. “Para mim, o mais importante é o equilíbrio e a
70 Casa Vogue empatia entre espaços, objetos e pessoas.”Pliniana’s Salone Rossini (the composer wrote Tancredi on this piano)
Il Sereno & Villa Pliniana
TORNO, ITALY
Designed by Patricia Urquiola
Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola was finishing Q+A
one of the newest buildings on Lake Como—the Beyond the natural setting what was the
Sereno hotel (sister property of the St. Barts ori-
ginal)—when she was tapped for one of the ol- inspiration for Sereno?
“In the city of Como, there’s a Rationalist ar-
dest. The Sereno’s owner had just added the
chitectural masterpiece—Casa del Fascio, by
nearby Villa Pliniana to his portfolio, and he asked
Giuseppe Terragni, who was sort of Italy’s Mies
her to handle the decor of the sixteenth-century
van der Rohe. It’s a building we architects go
Renaissance estate, visited by Napoleon, Byron,
and see. It gave us the idea of modularity for
and Liszt. Both properties opened this summer
the hotel—the way he designed individual
in Torno, a one-church, one-restaurant village on
rooms and how they interact as a whole.
the lake’s south shore. The contemporary Se-
We simplified things for Sereno, but we were
reno, a 30-suite hotel, channels its Alpine setting
inspired by this building.”
with regional stone and local walnut and vertical
gardens with 260 native plants. Inside, pieces
from Urquiola’s collections for Italian companies What’s your favorite space in Pliniana?
(like the tufted Husk chair she did for B&B Italia) “I love the room under the terrace, where
share space with fabrics from the surrounding you’re right on the water and have your own
Lombardy region’s famed textile houses, all in personal little deck—you can even leave by
the understated grays and blues of the lake. Pli- boat right from there. It’s like a secret room.”
niana, by contrast, is a mix of old-world ele-
ments, like terrazzo floors and gold leaf mirrors, Is there an architectural wonder you’re
and modern furniture from icons like Gio Ponti dying to visit?
and Le Corbusier. Luckily for Sereno’s guests, “Michael Heizer’s City. It’s an ongoing land-arts
when the seven-suite villa isn’t rented they can project in a desert valley in central Nevada and
use its pool, spa, teahouse, and gardens. Guests an example of vision becoming reality.”
move easily between the properties – they’re
half a mile apart—by car, on foot via a wooded What’s your most influential travel me-
path, or in Sereno’s Riva boats. Just ask Urquiola,
mory?
who spent months going back and forth. “It’s
“Visiting Ibiza. I’ve been going since I was a
very interesting to have these two totally diffe-
teenager. The locals live so simply and natu-
rent kinds of architecture, but they’re connected
rally—this made a big impression on me.”
because both buildings are in constant dialogue
with the mountain behind and the lake in front,”
says Urquiola. “I like to be in the middle, between
these two huge elements.” A.S.very particular Pliniana wellspring,
including Leonardo da Vinci. Villa
Sereno Hotels Acquires Management of
Pliniana's land was originally selec-
Luxury Property, Villa Pliniana in Lake
ted and built on by Count Giovanni
Como, Italy. Located Next to New Il
Anguissola in 1573, and over the
Sereno, Lago di Como, Villa Pliniana Will
centuries the site has been visited
Be Lake Como's Ultimate Vacation
by many artists, scientists and mo-
Lodging and Italy's Premier Wedding
narchs, such Lord Byron and Napo-
and Special Events Venue.
The Villa Pliniana and its 18-acre leon, widely loved for its beautiful
gardens offer 19 luxurious bedrooms panorama.
in four large apartments in the main
villa plus three additional standalone Sereno Hotels provides exclusive,
villas, which can accommodate up to sophisticated service in a relaxed
39 guests. The two large ballrooms and simple manner. A central brand
of the Villa are equipped to host promise is that no matter how luxu-
events up to 200 guests. Additionally, rious or well-designed, there is no
the picturesque waterfront gardens substitute for views and space. Se-
can accommodate up to 500 guests reno Hotels Managing Director
for large weddings and events. Two Samy Ghachem will oversee all
large meeting rooms, dining room, a properties in the portfolio, offering
kitchen fully equipped for private ca- the personal touch guests are ac-
tering services, a reception hall and customed to with Sereno Hotels
a billiard room round out the multi- and ensure that the level of high
function space. Each of the villas in profile events at Le Sereno St.
the Pliniana complex boasts lake Barth's translates to the Lake Como
views and is equipped with the state- offerings.
of-the-art technology.
The Villa Pliniana features its own pri-
vate spa where there is a large swim-
Event pricing for Villa Pliniana is
ming pool with Jacuzzi, rain showers,
available by request. Please contact
sauna, steam bath, solarium and a
sales@lesereno.com, for more in-
relaxing lounge mezzanine.
formation.
To arrive at Villa Pliniana, the pro-
perty's private boat dock assures
the safe harboring of boats, ferries
and Il Sereno's custom-designed
THE #1 WEDDING MAGAZINE
Riva boat transfers. The on-pro-
perty helipad allows easy connec-
tion to Milan and main airports. Villa
Pliniana also is accessible by car
and offers a spacious underground
parking garage at the complex. The
villa is only five miles from Como
and 37 miles from Milano Malpensa
airport (MXP).
Continuing the tradition of Sereno
Planning a destination wedding? At VILLA PLI-
Hotels, guests can expect Villa Pli-
NIANA, a 16th-century palazzo on Lake
niana to embody a strong sense of
Como in Italy, you can choose among the res-
place along with well-developed
tored ballrooms and gardens for your lake-
front I do’s. Or if you’re all about the design sensitivity.
The Villa's site is first mentioned by
honneymoon, this month the owners are ope-
Pliny the Elder in the 1st Century
ning a super-luxe 30-suite hotel next door cal-
A.D., which is what gave it its
led Il Sereno Lago di Como, the frst new
name. Since then, many naturalists
construction on Lake Como in years.
and scholars have written about the
76 BrIDES rEUTErS 77PHOTO
Harper’s BAZAAR Magazine
80We look forward to seeing you
there very soon!
Il Sereno Lago di Como Via Torrazza 10 22020 Torno ITALY
T. +39 031 547 78 00 info@ilsereno.com www.ilsereno.com
serenohotels.comReaders’ Choice
Awards
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Condé Nast Traveler as the
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Resort in
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Photo JP Piter
Le Sereno Hotel, Spa and Villas
Tel. +(590) 590 298 300
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