In the Italian hillside village of Brunate (aptly dubbed the Balcony of the Alps), the newly opened Nuvole Garden Hotel brings new life to the storied Grand Hotel Milano, a historic Art Nouveau property that had languished for decades.
The reinvention is the work of Budapest-based designer Zoltán Varró, who infused modern wonder into the century-old landmark.
True to its name—nuvole means “clouds” in Italian—the 80-room hotel draws inspiration from the mists that swirl above Lake Como at dawn. From that dreamlike scene, Varro conjured a narrative that weaves mythology, nature, and fantasy into every corner of the five-story retreat, turning it into a garden in the clouds.
Restoring history at Nuvole Garden Hotel
Originally opened in 1911 and designed by architect Achille Manfredini, the Grand Hotel Milano was once a magnet for society’s elite, arriving via the historic funicular that still stops just steps from the hotel’s front door.
The redesign restores the façade and original decorative flourishes, while reinterpreting the interior through a poetic lens.
Each public space channels a distinct elemental theme, such as the top-floor Sole Gourmet Restaurant, which is an ode to the sun. A retractable ceiling floods the space with natural light, and golden accents warm the space, anchored by a glowing sun motif that commands attention like an altar.
Below, BLU immerses guests in a deep-sea fantasy, its interiors awash in teals and aquamarines. Custom carpet patterns mimic the lakebed, while bubble-inspired lighting and mermaid-like sculptures evoke an elegant underwater world.
Adjoining BLU, the intimate Bar Negroni layers old-world glamour with a touch of theatrics. Dark wood-paneled ceiling and 78 Art Nouveau sconces nod to ocean liners and Edwardian drawing rooms to capture the building’s original Belle Époque spirit.
An indoor garden, an outdoor salon
Varro reverses traditional design expectations throughout the hotel. The indoor common areas resemble overgrown gardens, where floral textures climb the walls and peacock-patterned chairs reference the famed Como gardens.
Meanwhile, outdoor spaces channel the sophistication of an interior salon. The central courtyard is furnished like a grand dining room—complete with a chandelier, fireplace, and handmade mosaic floor. Its fountain pool offers a playful wink to la dolce vita, a nod to Como’s timeless glamour.
Rooms among the clouds
The guestrooms and suites continue the elemental storytelling. Lake-facing rooms bask in a golden theme, similar to that found at Sole, and feature floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the ever-changing sky and lake below. Custom prints and textiles reference the region’s natural beauty, creating the sensation of floating between mountaintops and mist.
The Cabana Suites, by contrast, evoke poolside pavilions, with glowing paneling and flowing curtains that channel the relaxed elegance of Italian vineyard life.
Reception
Grand Salon
Courtyard aerial view
Courtyard
BLU restaurant
Spa
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