Villa Porto Felice
A Gallery of Spaces
From historic cellars transformed into wellness sanctuaries to century-old gardens and curated...
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Born as an admiral’s dream and transformed into a design-driven sanctuary, Villa Porto Felice is Lake Como at its most intimate.
From ship-inspired doors and preserved vaulted cellars to masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe, this interview reveals the many layers of Villa Porto Felice. At its heart is a rare hospitality philosophy where intuition, continuity and human connection define the experience.
Editor’s note: Passages in italics are editorial additions by the My Private Villas team, added to provide context and clarity.
Interview: Anna Roccaro
Villa Manager of Porto Felice
Origins & Location
What is the history behind Villa Porto Felice?
At the beginning of the 20th century, an American admiral built a villa on Lake Como, naming it Porto Felice (Haven of Happiness). He decorated the property with nautical elements, including ship-style doors, a large anchor in the garden, and even a house design inspired by maritime forms.
In 2000, the villa was purchased by Sophie Rossetti, the current owner — a globetrotter with a deep passion for art and design. After extensive renovation works, the villa served as the family home for many years. Since 2018, it has operated in the luxury rental market.
From a private residence, Villa Porto Felice has been transformed into a refined luxury retreat and spa, featuring an indoor pool, outdoor pool, gym and tennis court. The expansion and renovation were carried out conservatively, carefully preserving the villa’s early 20th-century character.
What is now the ground floor was formerly the underground cellar, brought to the surface through significant excavation works. The original vaulted cellar ceilings have been fully preserved.
What’s a benefit of the villa’s location?
The villa is located in the most exclusive area of Lake Como — Tremezzina — offering breathtaking views across the lake towards Bellagio. It guarantees total privacy, with unobstructed lake views while remaining completely secluded.
The property benefits from a gentle microclimate and is surrounded by a lush, flourishing garden.
Architecture, Design & Gardens
What is one unique aspect of Villa Porto Felice?
Today, the villa is recognised as a gallery of design on the lake. The interior designer’s creative style, described as “evergreen”, showcases American and Italian works from the 1950s to the 2000s. Guests live among masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright, Philip Johnson and Mies van der Rohe.
The furniture includes iconic pieces by Cassina, Vitra and Moroso, many of which were crafted in Brianza — the renowned design district between Lake Como and Milan, which can be explored through the Design Experience.
For those drawn to the villa’s extraordinary collection, the Design Experience offers a curated journey into the heart of Italian craftsmanship. Guests venture into Brianza, the legendary district where many of the villa’s iconic pieces were born. Here, in the workshops and showrooms between the lake and Milan, the story of twentieth-century design unfolds — a tactile, intimate encounter with the places where vision becomes form.
The art collection features significant sculptures by Bijan Bassiri, one of Iran’s most important artists and a leading presence at the Venice Biennale.
Villa Porto Felice’s gardens are mature and abundant: azaleas thrive in Lake Como’s famously mild climate, alongside ginkgo trees, red acacia, a bamboo forest and an olive grove. The kitchen gardens yield fresh produce that finds its way directly to the dining table.
Bespoke Experiences
What are the most interesting experiences that you can offer to guests?
Beyond classic Lake Como experiences — such as visiting Villa del Balbianello, boat tours or scenic hikes — we offer fully tailor-made journeys. These include private trips to Italy’s Motor Valley in Modena, with visits to the Pagani and Lamborghini factories and helicopter transfers.
Motor Valley represents the pinnacle of Italian automotive passion. Here, in the heartland of supercar creation, guests witness the marriage of art and engineering — where each vehicle is a masterpiece crafted with the same devotion Sophie Rossetti brings to her villa. The helicopter transfers transform the journey itself into an experience, soaring over the Apennines from lakeside serenity to mechanical poetry.
We also design unique itineraries to lesser-known yet authentic destinations in Southern Italy, such as Calabria, where guests can explore pristine beaches and countryside, savour local cuisine, and take part in hands-on activities including olive harvesting, citrus pressing and evenings of traditional home-cooked meals.
Every logistical detail is carefully arranged to ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience.
Philosophy of Service
How do you lead a team to uphold such high luxury standards?
In an era of rotating staff and seasonal hospitality, Villa Porto Felice has chosen a different path. Continuity is not merely a strategy here — it is the foundation of everything the villa offers.
Our staff consists of five full-time professionals — a villa manager, butler, chef, housekeeper and gardener — ensuring the villa remains open year-round.
This continuity is the result of years of dedicated management, characterised by consistency and resilience in selecting, training and inspiring a team that embodies excellence while serving even the most discerning guests.
Thanks to the outstanding work of our staff, many guests return time and again, feeling truly at home while enjoying the indulgence of a five-star experience.
What insights have you gained from working at Villa Porto Felice?
Years of welcoming the world’s most discerning travellers have revealed a truth: excellence alone is not enough. What guests truly seek, what they remember long after departure, is the feeling of being genuinely understood.
Through constant interaction with our most discerning guests — travellers accustomed to the world’s finest destinations — we have learned to go beyond excellent yet standard service. Our approach, presence and way of being create such a deep connection that guests feel genuinely seen and cared for.
Over time, we have developed an intuitive ability to anticipate their needs, offering not merely service, but a highly personalised experience that feels natural, effortless and deeply human.
A Private Invitation
Speak with our villa specialists and let the experience define itself.
A Day at the Villa
From your perspective, what would a perfect day look like at Porto Felice?
Wake up late in the morning, open the windows and be greeted by ever-changing views from every corner of the villa — an idyllic panorama at every glance. Wander through the house and gardens, reconnecting with your inner self along tranquil pathways.
Relax by the pool, lose yourself in a book on the balcony, or enjoy time with friends playing tennis or table tennis. Lunch in the garden is followed by an afternoon exploring the lake; by boat or on a scenic hike.
As evening falls, savour an aperitif on the terrace, accompanied by a fine cigar and the gentle evening breeze. End the day with a dinner prepared by the chef; the perfect finale to a day of tranquillity, connection and indulgence.
What dish do you crave the most at Villa Porto Felice?
Our cuisine is always seasonal, varied and tailored to each guest’s preferences. The chefs are dedicated to creating menus that are consistently diverse and flavourful, so much so that guests often find it impossible to choose a single favourite dish. The culinary experience is always perfectly adapted to individual tastes.
A Different Kind of Sanctuary
Recognised among the World’s Top Villas — a distinction reserved for the planet’s most exceptional properties — Villa Porto Felice has evolved beyond traditional luxury hospitality. During the quieter months, when mist rises from the lake and the gardens turn inward, the villa transforms into a destination for profound renewal.
Here, bioenergetic assessments, evolutionary reflexology, Ayurvedic treatments, and mindful nutrition converge into a personalised programme guided by masters trained in the wellness heartlands of Thailand and India.
It is a journey not away from the world, but deeper into oneself – one we invite you to create with us.
Ready to dive deeper?
Let’s talk! Schedule a personalised video call with our team to discuss your questions.
