George and Amal Clooney have long been the unofficial ambassadors of Lake Como. Since purchasing Villa Oleandra in the quiet village of Laglio over two decades ago, they’ve transformed from summer residents into fixtures of the region’s social fabric. While they rarely leave the gates of their own 18th-century villa, when close friends or visiting dignitaries ask for recommendations, the Clooneys point to a short list of villas that mirror their tastes: discreet, design-forward, and quietly opulent.
At the top of their list is Villa Pliniana, a secluded 16th-century estate nestled into the forested cliffs near Torno. With its Renaissance architecture and direct access to the water via private dock, Pliniana offers complete privacy for high-profile guests. The villa has hosted tech CEOs, political figures, and major art collectors. It features frescoed ceilings, marble fireplaces, and a cascading waterfall on the grounds that gives the property its ethereal quality. What matters most to the Clooneys, insiders say, is the sense of stillness. This is where they send friends who need to disappear for a while without sacrificing comfort.
Next is Villa Làrio, a favorite for those who prefer contemporary interiors and hotel-level service without staying in an actual hotel. Situated in Pognana Lario, this sleek property features terraced gardens and an infinity pool that feels suspended above the lake. The architecture is low-key modernist, but the experience is deeply Italian. Guests arrive by boat, often dine outdoors under linen-draped pergolas, and wake to uninterrupted views across the water. It’s less opulent than Pliniana, but more accessible and curated, ideal for friends with young children or those coming straight from a film festival or UN summit.
The third recommendation, reserved for close friends who want a taste of old-world charm, is Villa Sola Cabiati. Located just outside Tremezzo, the villa is managed by Grand Hotel Tremezzo but functions as a private residence for its guests. Baroque interiors, manicured grounds, and antique-laden drawing rooms give it the feel of an aristocratic home rather than a rental. According to one guest who stayed there on the Clooneys’ suggestion, it’s a place that invites long dinners, vintage wine, and dressing for breakfast. For Amal, who has a deep appreciation for history and art, this villa encapsulates everything she finds special about the region.
Despite these recommendations, George and Amal are famously hesitant to leave their own villa. Villa Oleandra remains their sanctuary, a walled-in haven with stone terraces, centuries-old cypress trees, and a boathouse that opens directly onto the lake. It is not extravagant in the modern sense, but every detail feels chosen. The couple spend their days reading, swimming, and hosting dinners with guests who arrive by boat and leave well past midnight.
In Lake Como, where showy yachts and sprawling hotels are common, the Clooneys continue to champion something rarer: quiet grandeur, personal connection, and places that feel like home. Their recommendations reflect that ethos. Refined, storied, and private to the last.
