Filario

Filario Hotel & Residences is a sleek modernist mansion sitting front row on the Lezzeno shoreline of Lake Como, backed by a mountainous canopy forest. An homage to Italian custom, style and native craftsmanship, Filario flirts with time-past decadence and chilled luxury – an elegant pairing of design and heritage overlooking Bellagio, Villa Balbianello, and Comacina Island. 

In stark contrast, this modernist, white geometric structure stands as a beacon of the new, while cosying up against matriarchal mansions of Como. An architectural basecamp of Italian style, Filario is the brainchild of local entrepreneur and hotelier, Alessandro Sironi, who orchestrated the interior creation alongside famed designer Alessandro Agrati.

With his intrinsic knowledge and respect for his own culture, Sironi was able to bring together local elements of architecture, craftsmanship and heritage to present a truly connected project to the community, wrapped up in modern design.

‘History relates to tourism and travel,’ Sironi says. ‘It's more than just looking at something beautiful. It's knowing the past, what to discover, the architecture and the movements.’

Many years in the making, Filario was created for nomads who love casual-luxe, design aesthetics and those familiar trademarks of sweet locale. Sironi created a breath-of-fresh-air aesthetic of urbanity, serenity and clean design while continuing to tie the hotel onto the region's strong historical identity. Even its name, Filario, plays on the theme of heritage fusion - a beautiful coalesce of filo, meaning thread which honours the legacy of silk production of the area, and lario, which was the Roman name for the lake.

Indigenous stone from Lombardy is sculpted into neat, sharp lines which frame the coveted lake views, and dotting the interior landscape is handcrafted contemporary furniture made by local artisans in the nearby design hub Cantù. The interiors are decked in natural waterside hues of soft greys marls, creamy sage and muted teal set against accented polished steel, glass, carpentry and images of silk threads. 

Filario Hotel & Residences is deliberately stand out sharp in a neighbourhood of old-school glamour, it is however deeply rooted with its environment – and with its own marina, private pebble beach, lounging cabanas, infinity pool, beach bar and impressive restaurant, Filario shows there's a new way to do Como without the pretence.

Filario Hotel & Residences has 13 luxury appointed lake-view rooms and luxury design suites as well as 20 elegant apartment residencies. Accommodation spans from the Superior to the Grand Suite, one-bedroom apartments to lavish townhouses and a three-bedroom Penthouse apartment. All are sizeable and airy, and each benefit from the wow-factor vistas of the lake, with private terraces framed by the Lombardy stone that encases the hotel, with views directly onto Villa Balbianello. 

With a neutral colour palette, the design rooms and luxury accommodation have an urban feel with soft greys marls, creamy sage and muted teal on quilts, velvet cushions, armchairs and rugs. Raw fabrics and locally sourced timber veneer walls give a natural cocoon-like effect. King size beds are encased in cuboid wooden frames, and Italian linen company Frette allow bed sheets, towels and slippers a luxurious edge.

Both the Grand Suite and Junior Suites come 'on the water' – these suites are the ones to book for lakeside lovers, with expansive terraces right by the water's edge and private plunge pools, although you may struggle to leave your luxe enclave. Interiors are impeccably furnished including industrial-chic bi-folding crittall-style doors to blur the boundary of inside and out.

Italy in general and the particular region of Lombardy is famed for its food, flavours and bounty, perfected in the kitchens here by Chef Alessandro Parisi. Filario is a determined sponsor of local, fostering the suppliers, growers and producers in each of the two eateries found at the resort. Geared for laid back alfresco dining, the bistro 'Yeast Side' is your pitstop for the gourmet pizza, antipasti, gelato and the lounge bar keeps guests hydrated with custom cocktails and Italian wines.

Come evening, Filario's fine dining Restaurant Filo highlights the area's local produce on its lakeside terrace and in the smart dining room. As you'd expect, the menu changes seasonally with Chef Alessandro Parisi's concepts of Italian culinary history and creative pairings. Capturing La Dolce Vita on a plate is the signature of Alessandro, whether that be a gelato, a pizza or a painterly presented complex dish of pigeon with polenta, blackcurrant and borage.  The ethos of slow food is something that Alessandro gets excited about and sees it not as much as a trend, but the movement it truly is.

Hotel Filario, an hour and a half from Milan airport, is found in Lezzeno, a peaceful Lake Como enclave once known as the manufacturing hub of the lake, where industry and craftsmanship collided. These days Lezzeno attracts visitors looking for a more low-key, authentic experience of Lake Como, without missing out on its attractions, many of which can be seen from Lezzeno's viewpoints including Bellagio, Tremezzo, Verenna, the Alps and Comacina Island.

From Lezzeno, you can visit Villa Balbianello in ten minutes by water taxi to explore an unrivalled Lake Como villa with its terraced gardens, embellished interior and sigh-inducing setting right at the water's edge. As Hotel Filario has its own marina, it's easy to get out on the water – either by traditional wooden taxi to visit medieval towns and romantic gardens clasped to the shore, or try kayaking, water skiing or paddleboarding. If you prefer to stay on foot, explore the pathways that carve through the forests, stopping for coffees or Aperitivo at the too-many-to-mention viewpoints.