Grand Hotel A Villa Feltrinelli
Where? In the village of Gargnano, on Lake Garda in northern Italy.
Sounds like a magical setting Described by D.H. Lawrence as one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Feltrinelli is a resort for all seasons: in the summer you can splash in the lake; in the winter you can ski in the mountains, or take a two-hour drive to Venice or Milan.
What's the look? Fresco-tastic. Built in 1890, the gold and terracotta exterior is reminiscent of a Venetian palazzo, while the interior is all neo-gothic whimsy, offering a synthesis of old-world glamour and new-age plumbing.
Tell us more ... The entrance hall has a triumphant red marble staircase, which sweeps up beyond a stained glass window, while the public rooms feature ornate Rubelli wallpaper and sumptuous brocades.
An uber retreat then? Originally built as a holiday home for the Feltrinelli family, the villa was converted into a hotel in 2001 following renovations costing a whopping #19 million (HK$239 million).