IL SERENO, LAKE COMO PRESENTS THE DARSENA LISTENING SUITE

Posted in News on 7 August, 2025

The World’s First Hotel Suite Built Entirely Around the Art of Listening – Redefining Luxury Travel Through Music.

This season, Il Sereno Lago di Como introduces its most personal and immersive offering yet: The Darsena Listening Suite. Conceived by owner-audiophile Luis Contreras and brought to life together with designer Patricia Urquiola, this 200 m² lakefront sanctuary redefines the travel experience through music. The suite becomes a cultural space where high-fidelity analogue music, tactile contemporary design and Michelin-starred cuisine converge, with the lake as natural backdrop.

The Darsena Listening Suite. Conceived by owner-audiophile Luis Contreras and brought to life together with designer Patricia Urquiola.

Drawing on Tokyo’s jazz-kissa listening cafés—intimate venues where vinyl is revered—The Darsena Listening Suite is believed to be the first hotel guestroom anywhere designed entirely around the act of listening.

How a Reel-to-Reel Sparked the Dream
In early 2021, shortly after Italy’s lockdown lifted, Luis Contreras found himself transfixed by the gentle spin of a vintage Revox B77 reel-to-reel tape deck during a dinner. That simple, hypnotic loop—and the warm, analogue hum that accompanied it—inspired him to create a space where guests could truly pause, lower a stylus and immerse themselves in music. Over the next year, he journeyed through the world of high-end hifi, meeting bespoke -tubeamp artisans, exploring artisanal systems and combing vintage- -hifi listings online.

Luis Contreras has included more than 500 LPs from his personal collection.

While handcrafted, old-school rigs proved breathtaking, their delicacy and complexity made them impractical for daily hotel use. Equally tempting were classic vintage turntables and speakers—-high-end -hifi, like fine automobiles, holds its value—but the unpredictability of older equipment posed too many reliability risks. Ultimately, Contreras chose a hybrid path: modern reissues of iconic designs that deliver classic sound with -guest proof- stability.

The suite’s core system now features Klipsch La Scala II speakers, a glowing McIntosh MC275 amplifier, a MacIntosh C22 Preamp, a Thorens 1601 turntable with Sumiko Amethyst cartridge and the restored Revox deck that sparked the entire vision. To this, he added more than 500 LPs from his personal collection—from Deutsche Grammophon box sets to original press- Bowie—and a promise that any guest’s personal favourites will be sought out and added to the library.

The suite’s core system now features Klipsch La Scala II speakers, a glowing McIntosh MC275 amplifier, a MacIntosh C22 Preamp, a Thorens 1601 turntable with Sumiko Amethyst cartridge and the restored Revox deck that sparked the entire vision.

Redesigning The Luxury Suite as a Cultural Space
Contreras involved Urquiola in the design, approaching it with the same reverence given to sound. A 50-foot wall of custom-woven jacquard fabric echoes the rippling water while refining acoustics. Rich walnut panelling, sculptural bronze fixtures and a monumental bespoke stone dining table form a theatre of textures and light. Molteni sofas, Gio Ponti Leggera chairs and tactile surfaces create areas for listening, lounging and gathering. Floor-to-ceiling glass blurs the line between interior and landscape, while a private deck with direct lake access invites guests to step out and swim straight from the sanctuary of the Listening Suite.

From the hush of thick fabrics to the cool solidity of stone and the warm embrace of brushed wood, every detail was selected to heighten the senses.

Culinary Artistry: Soundtrack to Dinner
“A primary objective in designing the space was not simply to create a Listening Suite, but a Listening Suite in which dining is central,” said Luis Contreras.

At Contreras’ request, Studio Urquiola conceived a sculptural round stone table seating up to ten guests, set atop a richly coloured custom rug and positioned directly before the audio system, with Lake Como unfolding beyond. An evening here—watching the hypnotic motion of the Revox Reel-to-Reel, immersed in music, taking in the lake views, and enjoying Chef Lenzi’s refined cuisine alongside a well-chosen Italian wine—offers a sensory experience that is both intimate and unforgettable.

Chef Raffaele Lenzi brings his Michelin-starred Sereno Al Lago menu into the suite, where each dish is served against a backdrop of curated vinyl, perhaps a smoky jazz side to complement a lapsang-infused artichoke, or a Baroque concerto to mirror the rhythm of a delicate Risotto alla Pescatora. The warmth of a vacuum-tube amp deepens the earthy aroma of autumn truffles, while bright string arrangements elevate the citrus-forward seafood crudo.

Each course is experienced as a movement in a larger composition, marked by the quiet, tactile ritual of lifting the tonearm and placing the next record. After dinner, guests may linger over a final side—a bold anthem or a whispered lullaby—transforming the suite into a lounge for lingering conversation and reflection.

A Living Concept
Far from static, The Darsena Listening Suite is a living project. Guest-requested records become part of the permanent archive; Contreras’s son has already added his own selections, bridging generations through shared music. When not booked overnight, the suite transforms into an intimate venue for private dinners or curated listening salons for up to ten guests—keeping the space as dynamic as the playlists it celebrates.

A Global Rise of Listening Rooms
As vinyl sales surge and travellers seek intimate, acoustically tuned experiences, listening bars and private sound sanctuaries have proliferated from London’s Spiritland to New York’s niche hifi- lounges. Il Sereno extends this movement, embedding jazz-kissa principles into an immersive guest suite with Lake Como’s timeless elegance.

Il Sereno: Continuing to Set the Standard in Experiential Hospitality
Since its opening, Il Sereno has distinguished itself through its commitment to design, craftsmanship, and understated luxury. A jewel on the shores of Lake Como, the hotel offers lake-facing suites, heritage Italian furnishings, and unparalleled service. Guests can explore the lake on a handcrafted Ernesto Riva boat, enjoy scenic drives in Maseratis, FIAT 500’s and classic Alfas, or discover hidden villages by Vespa or foot. With the unveiling of The Listening Suite, Il Sereno affirms its place at the vanguard of luxury travel—not merely as a destination, but as a curator of culture, a host of meaningful experiences, and a home for those who find beauty in detail.

About Il Sereno Lago di Como
Il Sereno ushers in a new chapter of luxury for the iconic destination of Lake Como, embodying an ethos of understated elegance. This all-suite hotel has garnered global acclaim, including the coveted title of #1 Hotel in Lake Como in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2024. The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Sereno Al Lago, continues to shine under the guidance of Executive Chef Raffaele Lenzi. Renowned for his innovative and award-winning menus – including the signature Vegetali, Tuberi e Radici — the restaurant has retained its 1 Michelin Star and was honoured to receive 2 Michelin Keys in 2024 in the coveted Michelin Hotel Keys Guide. Each of the spacious waterfront suites features floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive, furnished terraces, offering uninterrupted views of the lake. Guests can unwind at the serene spa, set beneath centuries-old stone arches, where treatments from Swiss brand Valmont provide a restorative escape. For those seeking relaxation and adventure, the hotel’s 60-foot-long freshwater infinity pool is suspended dramatically over the lake, while custom-crafted Ernesto Riva boats offer a stylish way to explore the surrounding waters. Il Sereno redefines luxury on Lake Como — where timeless elegance meets modern sophistication.

About Sereno Hotels
Sereno Hotels is the private creator, owner, and operator of award-winning properties in some of the world’s most coveted destinations, including Le Sereno and Le Sereno Villas in St. Barth, Il Sereno Lago di Como, and Villa Pliniana on Lake Como. Founded by Luis and Angelica Contreras, Sereno Hotels reflects their vision of redefining luxury through a harmonious blend of contemporary design, impeccable service, and a deep connection to the natural beauty of each location. Their passion for design is evident in every detail – from the architecture and interiors to the furnishings — creating spaces that are both visually stunning and deeply comfortable. Each property reflects a modern yet timeless elegance, enhancing the guest experience through thoughtful design. Sereno Hotels is renowned for its intimate collection of oversized rooms and suites, breathtaking views, adjacent luxury villas, and a distinctive, refined approach to hospitality. This vision has established Sereno Hotels as a leader in the luxury travel space, with properties that are thoughtfully integrated into their surroundings. Consistently recognised among the world’s top hotels, Le Sereno and Il Sereno have earned accolades from Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Travel + Leisure’s It List, Afar Traveler’s Choice Awards, and Town & Country’s Hotel Awards. Sereno Hotels is a proud member of Leading Hotels of the World and the Virtuoso travel network, reinforcing its reputation for world-class hospitality.