Castello dal Pozzo ★★★★★

Lake Maggiore is the ‘Greater Lake’, and for a reason. Colossal Alpine foothills plunge sharply into vast basins of shimmering cobalt-blue water. Snow-capped in winter, sun-scorched in summer, the mountain peaks are alluringly mirrored in the lake, year-round. Picturesque Italian villages and towns just find room to squeeze themselves in, concealing elegant villas, artisanal shops, beautiful churches and top restaurants, among their labyrinthine cobbled alleyways. At the lake’s southern tip, sits the truly special and historic Castello Dal Pozzo, bursting with glamour and refinement…

In the awe-inspiring Le Fief restaurant are intricately woven tapestries hanging from the walls, marble fireplaces, gleaming silver cutlery and white tablecloths, gilded mirrors and crystal chandeliers. It is a splendid setting in which to dine, although you may also consider eating outside under the stars, admiring the meticulously manicured gardens and listening to the soothing sounds of the fountain. Whichever you decide, the cuisine here truly lives up to Italy’s fine gastronomic traditions.

Some of the original, 1000-year-old stone walls remain, oozing historic charm and intrigue, though the castle has changed dramatically since then. Towards the end of the 19th century, Marquis Claudio Dal Pozzo d’Annone unleashed his artistic passion on the castle, radically transforming it into the glorious neo-gothic stately home we see today. And as if this didn’t offer adequate extravagance or grandeur, the Castello Dal Pozzo also includes the neighbouring 18th-century palace, a masterpiece of pretty pastel-pink facades and baroque splendour.

It is in this palazzo that VeryChic offers you your quarters. The spacious rooms and suites provide sophisticated and classic furnishings – immaculately polished mahogany furniture, silkily flowing curtains and canopies above the bed, pristine white beams and smooth marble bathrooms, all disguise state-of-the-art, 21st-century amenities.

Just when you thought this fantastically elegant castle couldn't be any more marvellous, immersed in the greenery of its centuries-old park, the outdoor swimming pool of Castello Dal Pozzo Resort awaits your discovery. Its silky, crystalline water allures guests to take lush dips whilst being surrounded by a gorgeous garden, this special spot guarantees idyllic intimacy and privacy. A large, handsomely toned sundeck borders the tantalising pool, it is graced by comfortable deckchairs where you can completely unwind and relax. It's a lovely place to enjoy a cocktail whilst admiring the gentle sounds of the water-features, and soaking up both the tranquillity and the sun.

Descending the hill, the wild natural beauty of the lakeside awaits, along with the medieval villages which bask in the sun at the water’s edge, and their pretty little harbours. Every day spent exploring this corner of paradise is an absolute privilege, and an even greater privilege, is heading back up to Lake Maggiore’s most historic and majestic hotel each evening, the Castello Dal Pozzo.