Villa d'Este

Villa d’Este is one of Italy’s finest golfing resorts, and for a number of reasons. The hotel sits on the banks of Lake Como, offering up fantastic views across the water, with one of the swimming pools even floating in the lake. The golf course winds its way through tall pines and has no fewer than six stunning short holes. Throw in a spa, wellness facility and plenty of other sporting activities, and Villa d’Este is one of the most luxurious places you could think of for a golf trip. 

It is one of the few resorts you will find on our lists where the golf course is not at the same location as the accommodation. It might be 15km away to the south, but it is worth the journey. The golf course at Villa d’Este winds its way through the Italian countryside, with tall pine trees canvassing the fairways. The venue is also home to a Golf Academy alongside the 18-hole layout, with coaching and lessons available from professionals. The Lodge Golf Villa d’Este offers accommodation at the golf club, with a small number of rooms available for those that want to stay on site.  

If you've made the trip back to the hotel for your accommodation, the rooms at Villa d’Este offer up sheer luxury and elegance for all staying on the shores of Como. There is a wide variety of rooms and suites, ranging from Classic Rooms up to the Presidential Suite and Cardinal Suite. The majority of rooms sit lakeside, offering views of the glistening waters of the lake. The hotel is also home to a large swimming pool which floats on the lake, a fitness and wellness centre and much, much more! 

Visit the Villa d’Este website here.

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The golf course at Villa d’Este has been around for a century now, having first opened in 1926. It was originally designed by Peter Gannon, and was owned by the hotel until the late 1970s. Despite being located next to Lake Montorfano, the course is surrounded by chestnut trees that are centuries old, along with birch and pine trees to add to the feel of the place. In total, there are more than 30,000 trees on the property. The clubhouse at Villa d’Este overlooks the lake, offering one of the nicest clubhouse views on the continent. 

It is a tough par 69, perhaps not to the level of Royal St David’s, but it is a layout that will challenge every aspect of your game. It begins with a tough, sweeping, downhill par 5 of more than 580 yards – even from the yellow tees. The front nine has a wonderful trio of short holes, coming at 3, 5 and 7. The 5th is the shortest of the three, but arguably the most difficult one to navigate. It is only 140 yards from the yellows, but it plays to an elevated green, one where you cannot see the putting surface. 

The tee shot on 11 is the tightest on the course, with the tee boxes set back in the trees. Your drive has to fly between a funnel of trees to reach the fairway, which itself is not that wide... Water comes into play for the first time on 12, with driver for some being too much club. The 16th is the last of the six par 3s at Villa d’Este, and it is played from an elevated tee, so make sure to work out which club you need before hitting your approach to the small green. The course finishes with a good scoring chance, as long as you don’t go OOB down the right side!

If you’re looking for a venue that oozes with Italian elegance, and of course, has stunning views of Lake Como, then Villa d’Este is the place for you! There is a glorious variety of rooms and suites, all of which have been elegantly pieced together and decorated.  

The Classic Rooms are the standard offering at Villa d’Este, with the venue’s hotel also playing host to a range of Executive, Deluxe and Deluxe Superior Rooms as well, each having that bit of added luxury. All of the Deluxe and Deluxe Superior Rooms overlook Lake Como, with those on the upper floors having terraces to relax on of an evening. 

Villa d’Este also has seven types of suites available – three of those being Junior Suites, for those who want to live the life of sheer luxury during their stay. The Presidential Suite and the Cardinal Suite are the best of the best at the Italian venue, both of which offer up terraces and views of Lake Como, along with having separate living and bedrooms.

Along with golf, Villa d’Este also has other ways of keeping fit during a stay. The venue has clay tennis courts, water sports, hiking, cycling and a fully equipped gym to keep active, even if you have already played 18 holes that morning.  

The Sporting Club, founded in 1966, was home to Lake Como’s first floating swimming pool. You did read that right – it is a pool in the lake – and it looks amazing. To relax and unwind, the resort is also home to the Beauty Centre, where treatments and massages are available from qualified therapists.

Where is Villa d’Este located?  

Villa d’Este is situated in the very north of Italy, with the resort itself located on the banks of Lake Como. The hotel overlooks the lake, and it is just 5km from the border between Italy and Switzerland, sitting between the villages of Cernobbio and Rovenna. The town of Como is around 6km, sitting at the south of the lake. The golf course sits around 15km to the southeast of the main resort, on the shores of Lake Montorfano.

What is the nearest airport to Villa d’Este?

Milano Malpensa Airport – the second busiest international airport in the country behind only Rome Fiumicino – is just 50km to the southwest of Villa d’Este. The city’s other two international airports, Bergamo Airport and Linate Airport, are also within 100km from the resort.

What golf facilities does Villa d’Este offer?

Along with the golf course, Villa d’Este also has its Golf Academy, which has a driving range with both open-air and covered bays. The venue also has a chipping area for the honing of short game skills, along with a pair of putting greens as well.

Does Villa d’Este offer golf lessons?

Coaching is available at Villa d’Este, with the venue having its own Golf Academy. A team of professionals are on hand to guide players of all abilities, with the use of the ‘Green Golf Academy Performance’ area, which has TrackMan software.

What are the green fees at Villa d’Este?

The price of a green fee at Villa d’Este changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Villa d’Este, visit their website here. 

What accommodation is on offer at Villa d’Este?  

Villa d’Este is home to a wide range of rooms and suites to suit all needs. Rooms come in four forms, from Classic to Deluxe Superior, while there are also seven different varieties of suites, the majority of which have terraces and look out over the glorious landscape of Lake Como.

At the golf club, there is also The Lodge Golf Villa d’Este. Sitting in amongst the trees on the front nine of the golf course, The Lodge is home to several beautifully appointed rooms, with many having verandas and balconies overlooking the 18-hole layout.

Are there any other venues on the NCG Top 100s: European Resorts list nearby?

Villa d’Este is one of three venues on the NCG Top 100s: European Resorts list to be based in the north of Italy. The other two – Bogogno and Castelconturbia – are both around 80km west of Como.