Relais & Spa Castello di Casiglio

Introducing the local businesses that make up Como’s COMO4COMO Community

There is a place just a few minutes from Como where time seems to have stood still. Castello di Casiglio, a residence that first rose in the 14th century, stands among the hills of Erba surrounded by a park of centuries old trees. Once a medieval outpost and later the property of noble families, it is today an elegant Relais where history and comfort meet.

Its stones have witnessed centuries of change. Built around the year 900 as a defensive outpost, the castle was expanded through the Middle Ages and became home to families such as the Parravicini before falling into decline. A major restoration in the 1980s returned it to splendour but the latest chapter is perhaps its most ambitious.

Luca Pettine and Federica Cattaneo have led the relaunch with a clear vision. “Our project was born from the desire to preserve the historical legacy and at the same time make it current,” they say. “The greatest challenge was to respect the authentic identity of the castle, with its stones and beams and irregular spaces, while introducing a design that was both elegant and functional.”

The result is a place where three distinct strands coexist in harmony. The hotel welcomes guests with rooms that carry the imprint of time, vaulted ceilings, terracotta floors, frescoes that reappear from under centuries of dust, yet each room feels new, thanks to clean lines and designer furnishings that never overwhelm. “Every space preserves original features but is reinterpreted with care,” says Pettine. “No two rooms are alike. A guest who returns can stay somewhere different and always be surprised.”

Alongside the hotel lies LUNEA Spa and Wellness Club, six hundred square metres of water and ritual designed for stillness. Its heated pool flows from inside to out, blurring boundaries like the building itself. Treatments are tailored, sensory paths personalised, but the principle is constant: this is a haven for anyone looking to slow down and reconnect.

The third soul of the castle beats in Ristorante LèCru. Here chef Michele Pedrazzini ties together tradition and invention. The seasons dictate his menus, with produce sourced from the surrounding territory. In the great halls or on the newly restored terrace, dishes appear like stories on a plate, each one matched with a bottle from a cellar that houses more than seven hundred Italian and international labels.

“Our philosophy is to create balance,” Cattaneo explains. “The hotel, the spa, the restaurant and the wine cellar all complement each other. Together they go beyond simple hospitality. They create a stay that engages all the senses.”

Castello di Casiglio is also opening itself to the community. The castle hosted the end of year aperitif of Como 1907, a moment that felt symbolic. “It was an honour to welcome such an important event,” says Pettine. “For us hospitality means not only receiving guests but being part of the cultural and sporting life of the region.” That philosophy extends to being part of the COMO4COMO initiative, which supports the local economy by selling Como 1907 products and donating a quarter of the profits to Fondazione Como.

Looking ahead, the ambition is to continue layering experiences without disturbing the essence of the place. “We are working on new proposals that bring together hospitality and wellbeing,” Cattaneo says. “Packages that combine a stay here with exclusive experiences, themed events that celebrate the heritage of the territory and collaborations to expand our wellness and outdoor offer. Our mission remains the same. To make every stay unforgettable.”

Among the centuries-old branches, along the stone paths and within the hush of its walls, the castle holds itself between dream and reality. A fairytale retreat and an intimate perspective on Lake Como, Castello di Casiglio is above all an invitation to take your time.