Lake Como’s Grand Hotel Victoria Reopens, Debuting New Chef & Culinary Offerings

Five-star luxury hotel The Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa, a member of R Collection Hotels, reopens this month for the spring-summer season unveiling exciting new updates to the property. Situated on the shores of Menaggio in the heart of Lake Como, this completely renovated masterpiece holds the charm of the 19th century while blending contemporary details and hi-tech amenities to highlight its beauty. Enriched by lush gardens, a 12,000 sq. ft. spa with signature scents handcrafted in-house and a variety of food and beverage offerings by new executive culinary talent at the helm, the hotel is surrounded by magnificent views of the mountains and villas framing the deep blue waters of Lake Como.

NEW CULINARY TALENT

As of March 2024, the two restaurants at the Grand Hotel Victoria in Menaggio and another at the new Victoria Lido Beach are now under the guidance of Chef Maichol Morandi. Having been part of the R Collection culinary circuit for four years, Chef Morandi embarked on a new chapter in his career following a well-established presence at the Grand Hotel Bristol in Rapallo on the Portofino Coast. In his new role, Chef Morandi enriches the gastronomic offerings at Grand Hotel Victoria with a blend of Italian tradition, history, creativity, and modernity. 

Opening on April 18th, Restaurant 1827 is a fine dining concept open in the evenings and characterized by a design concept that recalls the exceptional aspects of Italian furnishings. Restaurant 1827 offers guests a choice of two seven-course tasting menus: vegetarian or contemporary selections that use the freshest seasonal produce available in the region.

The debut contemporary menu is a creative interpretation of the seven deadly sins, with each course representing a different vice. Abstract dishes melded with subtle elements of Asian cuisine highlight the menu, including several standouts such as Lust, a crispy Kobe cube served over rebuchon puree with fried spring onion; Pride, pigeon complemented with whiskey air and sour cherries; Acedia, triple-cooked eel with soy caramel, white polenta, and rocket. The full menu can be found here.

The restaurant’s vegetarian menu offers a vibrant seven-course journey through the colors of the garden. Using fresh seasonal produce, course highlights include a sunshine-infused Yellow dish combining corn, chickpeas, pollen, and popcorn; an Orange dish showcasing the earthy sweetness of carrots and sage with marinated egg and Parmesan cheese; and a Green course featuring a Risotto “Riserva San Massimo” served with fresh pesto and wasabi.

Complementing the culinary offerings, Restaurant 1827 boasts an impressively curated wine cellar with more than four hundred labels. As part of its robust wine program, the restaurant will introduce an ongoing seasonal wine dinner featuring four Italian winemakers that will be paired with an exclusive tasting menu curated by Chef Morandi. The series kicks off on April 18th with Marchesi Antinori, a Tuscan winemaker deeply committed to the captivating art of ‘Made in Italy’ and showcasing a dedication to winemaking that spans 26 generations.

Also under the guidance of Chef Morandi, Lago is an all-day-dining restaurant open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and offers an open wine cellar with a rich variety of labels. Live piano is available Thursday through Sunday, indoors or outdoors during the summer months. The Lago restaurant also hosts a show cooking space that is used for sociable culinary gatherings, focusing on hands-on cooking with fresh ingredients and presenting dishes on a striking marble table. An additional highlight of the restaurant is a veranda that can be adjusted to accommodate both indoor and outdoor seatings to meet various seasonal requirements. The table settings are elegantly arranged in a French-style mise-en-place, highlighting the luxurious presence of marble on the tabletops.

“My vision for each restaurant is to complement each other for a well-rounded culinary experience. The Lago Restaurant embodies Italian tradition with a contemporary touch, offering dishes that celebrate our culinary heritage in a modern key. Restaurant 1827, on the other hand, stands out for its culinary stance that plays with bold flavor contrasts and presentations, offering a sophisticated and enveloping gastronomic tasting experience. The Lido Beach presents the beauty of culinary simplicity, offering fresh and light dishes,” said Chef Morandi. “The goal is to create an inclusive gastronomic environment, where everyone finds something that satisfies their tastes and preferences at the elevated level R Collection Hotels consistently offer.”

Pastry chef Alessia Doccini meticulously crafts desserts at Grand Hotel Victoria, honoring tradition at Lago restaurant while presenting refined and distinctive flavors at Restaurant 1827, elevating the gastronomic journey with sophistication and originality.

VICTORIA LIDO BEACH OPENING

After a massive renovation, Grand Hotel Victoria will open the Victoria Lido Beach on July 1. The highly-anticipated beach club is located on one of the most frequented and beloved beaches in the central lake area. A unique destination boasting a modern and elegant ambiance, Victoria Lido Beach features a private beach where guests can enjoy amenities such as a pool area, direct access to lake swimming, sunbathing spots, loungers, umbrellas, gazebos, and a catering service. Victoria Lido Beach also provides the perfect setting to relax or celebrate important occasions with the lights and colors of Lake Como as a backdrop.

LOCATION & LUXE ACTIVITIES

Modern luxury is also sustainable at Grand Hotel Victoria, where the hotel’s commitment to environmentally conscious offerings is highlighted by its sustainability certification. A renovated masterpiece, the property retains the charm of the 19th century while incorporating Italian-designed decor, furniture made by local craftsmen using local woods, and pillows and fabrics designed and sewn to measure by textile purveyors from the area. Emphasizing both design and comfort, the historic Villa and the new Palazzo harmoniously come together offering perfect Italian-style hospitality with 81 rooms including four prestigious suites that offer beautiful views of Lake Como and its enchanting corners, like Bellagio and Varenna. Other rooms overlook the hotel’s colorful private garden and tranquil swimming pool, framed by the mountains. 

The Erre Spa spans over an impressive 12,000 square feet, establishing itself as the largest spa sanctuary on Lake Como, boasting a variety of signature rejuvenating experiences designed by Spa Manager Valentina Ciuffatelli. New for 2024, the Grand Hotel Victoria introduces a unique approach catering to diverse needs by combining Biologique Recherche products for medical and therapeutic treatments with Cinq Mondes essences for sensory and holistic beauty rituals. The full spa menu can be viewed here.

As added elements of luxury, the Erre Spa boasts a Kneipp Path and a variety of different rooms that cater to complete relaxation: the Himalayan Salt Room, designed to detoxify and rejuvenate the body. The Ice Room, which offers a refreshing contrast. The Fire Room, which features a majestic four-meter fireplace, creating a cozy ambiance for relaxation and contemplation. And the Silent Moss Room, which offers a tranquil retreat, adorned with living moss to enhance oxygen levels and promote relaxation. 

Grand Hotel Victoria offers a host of activities and packages for those looking to explore their surroundings or immerse themselves in ‘La Dolce Vita’ culture. For guests wanting to indulge in authentic Italian gastronomy, cooking classes with the hotel’s world-class culinary team are available, offering hands-on lessons in pasta, pastry and focaccia making. R Collection’s classic Como boat is available for guests wanting to set sail on beautiful Lake Como. The hotel’s central position serves as a perfect gateway for guests to explore the hidden gems of Lake Como, away from the bustling crowds. Grand Hotel Victoria invites visitors to wander the cobblestone streets of Menaggio, indulge in local shopping, and immerse in authentic Italian culture. 

R Collection introduced its Lago di Como Coast to Coast package, which allows guests to experience two nights at Grand Hotel Victoria and two nights at sister property Hotel Royal Victoria, situated across the lake in Varenna. The package features two gourmet dinners, access to the Erre Spa, boat transfer between the properties, daily breakfast and more. 

For more information about Grand Hotel Victoria, please visit www.grandhotelvictoria.it or call +39 034432003. Rates start at $830 per night.