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The Grand Hotel Imperiale was opened in 1926 by a family of entrepreneurs, the
Allamels, who were a major presence in the hotel industry in Como for over 50
years.
The Hotel was opened when Lake Como was the holiday destination of Milan’s bourgeoisie
and a high class of international tourism which was developing at that time, with
tourists from different European countries coming to spend long holidays on the
shores of the Lario, the area comprising the two branches of Lake Como.
The Hotel, built in late Art Nouveau style, was originally called Hotel Regina and at the time had two annexes on the lake and another building in the village
of Moltrasio, in the heart of luxuriant gardens. In no time at all, the Hotel
became a reference and a favourite destination for high level Italian and foreign
clients who appreciated its class and the style of its hospitality.
In the 1970s and 80s the Hotel was closed and subsequently sold to a company
that decided on a major renovation and extension project in order to make the
hotel more competitive and able to meet the needs of a more varied tourism, including
business and conference travel. The Hotel re-opened in 1995 with a new appearance
and new services.
With the renovation and extension, a new wing with new rooms, the Conference
Centre and a spacious Hall were added to the original core of the Hotel. The new
building was linked to the original one with masterly skill by the engineer Carlo
Terragni, a well-established professional based in Como and grandson of the famous
architect considered the “father of Rationalism”. He drew on this very sober style
with clean lines to link the two structures, The result is a singular encounter
between different identities which meet in the large area of the Hall which rises
the whole height of the building, closing with a luminous skylight: on one side
the facade of the historical building with its windows framed in pietra serena
which look on to the Hall and on the other the balustrades in the Como Rationalist
style which mark the four floors that look on to the Hall. | 
