Villa Crespi.

Villa Crespi is a striking architectural anomaly on the shores of Lake Orta, a Moorish-style palazzo built in 1879 by a cotton merchant who sought to bring the aesthetics of Baghdad to the Piedmontese landscape. Its minaret-style tower and intricate arabesque interiors house just 14 suites, each finished with antique furnishings, silk-covered walls, and marble bathrooms that maintain a sense of late-19th-century opulence. While the lakeside setting is serene, the primary draw is the kitchen led by Chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo, where Campanian flavors meet Northern Italian ingredients. Beyond the dining room, the experience is defined by intimate luxury, featuring a dedicated Ayurvedic spa and manicured gardens. It is an unapologetically ornate retreat that feels less like a traditional alpine hotel and more like a private, exotic fantasy.