Location: Cernobbio, Italy
Address: Via Regina 40
Bond book appearance: "Never Send Flowers" (1993)
Visited by 007 Travelers: July 2015
Experience the splendor, the grandeur, the intrigue and the magic of Villa d'Este- an opulent hotel overlooking glorious Lake Como. Hailed as one of the best hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler and Forbes Traveler, this famous resort destination has been widely praised for its beautiful gardens, exquisite cuisine, gala celebrations, impeccable décor and extraordinary hospitality.
Set on the banks of one of the most romantic lakes in the world and just north of Milan, Villa d'Este was built in 1568 as the summer residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. The property comprises 25 acres of gardens, whose statues and landscape have been photographed for centuries.
The favourite playground of an Empress, an English queen and aristocrats, it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1873.
Continuously renovated and updated, without sacrificing any of its old-world charm, Villa d'Este today offers 152 rooms, all different in decor but linked by the superior standards of hospitality that you expect from one of Europe's truly legendary resorts. There are also four beautiful private villas - Villa Malakoff, Villa Cima, Villa Garrovo and Mosaic House - located in the park of the Hotel: guests are able to use all of the facilities and amenities of the Villa d'Este while mantaining the privacy and exclusivity that a private villa can offer.
007 Travelers had a chance to visit this beautiful hotel. We walked through its amazing gardens and took plenty of photos. Villa d' Este is a really relaxing place where you can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding lake.
 |
| Villa d’Este Photo by: Villa d’Este |
 |
| Mika / 007 Travelers |
"Within a few minutes they were on the road leading out from Milan on their way to Lake Como and Cernobbio.
- We aren´t going to Villa d’Este by any chance, are we? Bond asked.
- Do you know Milan well? Bodo smiled again.
- I know Villa d’Este. It is a very high profile for meeting with your contact persons. So you man is an Italian police officer who must have very good connections since we meet him here.
- Who said he is a police officer? Anyway you will be surprised when you see him, the one who is in Villa d’Este nowadays. After saying that Bodo took a comfortable position and seemed to falling asleep."
"Straight through to the elevators. Suite one-twenty on the first floor." He spoke in almost unaccented English and escorted them through the grand foyer and up to one-twenty, where he tapped softly at the door, and ushered them in.
`James, how nice to see you. And this must be the lovely Fraulein Von Grusse." M sat, looking incongruous, behind a delicate Louis XV desk. Bill Tanner stood beside one of the windows, and a short Armaniand Gucci-clad Italian hovered in the background. Bond quickly introduced Fredericka to his Chief, and M took her hand, holding it for considerably longer than necessary."
John Gardner: "Never Send Flowers" (1993)
See the whole travel story here
See more 007 HOTELS (visited) here
.
