Could this be the most beautiful Edition Hotel in the world?

At the beginning of September, I had a work plan to come to Milan and thought it wouldn’t make sense to fly back and forth in just two days, so I wanted to arrange some interesting activities. Lake Como, located north of Milan, is definitely a place where you can both relax and enjoy beautiful scenery. Many online suggestions recommend a one-day special ops trip, but I thought it better to stay in one of the towns in the middle to appreciate the lake views more. When comparing hotels, I prioritized large hotel groups like Hilton, SLH, and Mandarin Oriental. Ultimately, I chose the Edition Hotel, which opened on September 9, 2025, as the accommodation for this Lake Como trip. On one hand, it is one of the 25 most anticipated new hotels worldwide in 2025; on the other hand, its location allows for touring both Lake Como and Lake Lecco without retracing routes too much, and it serves as a great connection point for the overall itinerary. From Milan Central Station, take a 40-minute train to the Lake Como station, then transfer to the hotel’s private ferry. As the blue-green lake water gradually fills your view, the white building of the Edition Hotel emerges from the olive groves by the lakeside—no flashy signs, just minimalist lines and natural textures, blending into a painting with Lake Como. I used a paid stay plus suite voucher, and the hotel confirmed the suite upgrade three days in advance. Currently, the Lake Como Edition Hotel is still in its trial operation phase. The hotel is a renovation and rebranding of the Britannia Excelsior Hotel, an old building dating back to 1840. The check-in front desk is made of a single slab of light gray marble, with a metal relief of an old Lake Como map embedded in the background wall. When the staff handed me the room card, they also gave me a hand-drawn card marking the best lake-view spots in the hotel garden: “Around 6 p.m. is best, the sunset will dye the lake surface honey-colored”—I later realized this timing advice was surprisingly accurate. Currently, only rooms on the 4th and 5th floors are open, while rooms on the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th floors are not yet available. The spa area connected by the elevator on the 3rd floor to the rear wing is also not open yet, but the gym connected to the spa area is open 24 hours. The upgraded room type I stayed in is currently the best the hotel offers: the Deluxe Lake View Suite, with a separate living room and two outdoor balconies. The moment I opened the door, what caught my eye first wasn’t the furniture but the entire floor-to-ceiling window: no extra window frames blocking the view, Lake Como outside looked as if it was directly “set” into the room. The distant Alps peaks were dusted with light snow, and nearby ferries slowly glided across the water, with even the ripples clearly visible. The room design features Edition’s signature “restrained luxury”: light oak floors paired with off-white linen curtains, and the headboard wall made of Lake Como’s unique light gray stone. The lake-facing bathroom has a double vanity, with Edition’s collaboration with an Italian organic brand providing toiletries that have a faint rosemary and lemongrass scent, leaving a natural herbal fragrance on the skin after showering. The glass door of the shower opens directly onto the terrace, where occasionally birds perch on the railing, chirping along as you wash—this closeness to nature is something city hotels can never offer. Opening the window, the side faces the church in Cadenabbia, and straight ahead is Italy’s most beautiful small town, Bellagio. Strolling along Bellagio’s cobblestone streets visiting antique shops, or going to the Villa Carlotta gardens halfway up the mountain, sitting under the century-old wisteria trellis watching the lake—when tired, find a café, order an espresso with an almond cookie, and time slows down so much it makes you sigh. The hotel offers two free shuttle boats daily to Bellagio, the classic town on Lake Como, just 20 minutes away. If you don’t want to go far, staying in the hotel garden is also very comfortable. The garden is planted with olive trees, lemon trees, and large patches of hydrangeas. Walking along the stone path to the lakeside, there is a small private dock where the hotel can arrange private boat experiences. Drifting on the lake in a small boat, watching villas and churches gradually shrink in the distance, hearing only the sound of oars cutting through the water, even your heartbeat slows down. Some overall impressions from the stay: 1. The location is excellent. From Milan to the town of Varenna, you can thoroughly explore the town, which I personally feel is just as charming and less crowded than Bellagio. Taking the ferry through Bellagio to reach Cadenabbia is very convenient, and it’s just a 3-minute walk from the ferry to the hotel. This stay also allows planning for next time to land at MXP airport and arrange hotel transfers in advance, with overall travel time not much different from going to Milan city center. 2. The hotel is very attentive in service, but it is still in the trial operation phase and seems to be in a period of adjustment. 3. The outdoor floating pool is definitely a highlight, though I didn’t experience it due to the cooler water temperature. 4. The overall style matches Edition’s minimalist and cool aesthetic, with all Edition features and amenities fully in place. 5. The dining quality needs improvement. Although the Renzo restaurant is led by a Michelin-starred chef, the dishes should be adjusted considering the outdoor dining temperature and other factors. However, the bright sunshine during breakfast and the unbeatable lake view make this issue less noticeable.