Tie the knot at a resort with mountain views on Lake Maggiore

Inside, the hotel is sumptuous by design and makes no apology for it. Venetian terrazzo floors, marble columns, silk on the walls and Venetian glass chandeliers set the tone. Every bedroom is decorated differently, from hand-painted floral walls to trompe-l'oeil drapery in blue and gold. The lounges mix fuchsia velvet sofas, tapestries and gilded chairs. It's a Belle Epoque villa dressed for celebrating, best for couples who love color and ornament rather than clean lines.

The story begins in 1872, when the merchant Edoardo Horst built a private villa on this stretch of shore. In 1886 it passed to Giacomo della Torre, known as Santiago, who named it for his daughter Aminta. She and her husband, Admiral Francesco Capece, lived here until 1939. The villa became a hotel in 1950, and Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton chose it for an escape in 1966. Since the 2000s the Zanetta family has restored it and still runs it today.

From the lawns you look across the gulf to Isola Bella, its baroque palace and terraced gardens. Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre sit close by. Stresa's lakefront cafes and ferry pier are about two kilometers south. Baveno is the same distance north. Day trips are easy: the Villa Taranto botanical gardens, Lake Orta's island village, or two golf courses in the hills. Villa Aminta is our address on Lake Maggiore, and our other Italian wedding venues cover the lakes, the coast and the countryside.

Most guests fly into Milan Malpensa, about an hour's drive away. Stresa's train station is less than two kilometers from the door. The hotel runs a free shuttle into Stresa several times a day, and there's private parking on site. The best arrival is by water. The hotel has its own jetty, so boats can bring your whole party straight to the lawn. Eleonora, our planner in Italy, books the boats and times the crossings.

Your guests can stay under the same roof, in rooms over five floors facing the lake or the park. Most have a balcony or terrace. For the two of you, the Liz Taylor suites have three balconies each. La Borromea takes the whole top floor under the cupola, with a Jacuzzi on its lake terrace. Families or friends traveling together can take the Amintina apartment in the park, with three bedrooms and its own garden.

Ceremonies here are symbolic, held on one of three lakeside lawns. Each is named for the island it faces: Isola Bella, Isola Madre or Isola dei Pescatori. White chairs line an aisle to an arch of roses, with only water between you and the palace. For a legal wedding, couples marry at Stresa's town hall, two kilometers away, or in one of the lake's churches. Evan & Sini, from Finland, said their vows in these gardens in May 2026.

After the vows, guests drift up to the panoramic terrace or the front garden for the aperitif. It's a generous buffet with Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, spritz and seasonal finger food. Think lake fish in carpione, flower tempura in spring, Parmigiano shards and little mozzarella in carrozza. The islands sit right in front of you the whole time.

Dinner usually happens in Le Isole, where tall windows face the islands and up to 160 guests sit down together. Smaller groups can take I Mori, the frescoed Italian restaurant with its lake-view terrace, for up to 35. There's also Sala Stresa, an intimate room above the pool for dinners and cocktails. Whatever the size, you never lose sight of the lake.

Everything is cooked in the hotel's own kitchens, and the wedding menus are named after famous lovers, from Romeo & Giulietta to Oberon & Titania. They lean on Piedmont: Castelmagno risotto, plin ravioli, veal with Mottarone cheese fondue and seasonal truffle. Piedmont wines such as Gattinara, Barolo and Moscato d'Asti come with them. The pastry chef makes the wedding cake, and vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus are prepared on request.

Evenings here come with a soundtrack. A pianist plays in the piano bar, where velvet sofas face the lake. For your party, the hotel's packages offer a live band or a DJ, a candy station and Italian liqueurs after dinner. The finale is fireworks over the water. The hotel can also arrange a night party out on the lake by boat.

Children of all ages are welcome, which makes this a relaxed choice for family weddings. The hotel has cots and extra beds, and a babysitting service you can book ahead. The outdoor pool faces the islands for long summer afternoons. Families traveling together can share a park-view suite or the three-bedroom apartment with its own garden. Parents can then enjoy the evening without driving anywhere.

Your dog can come too. Small and medium dogs stay in the rooms with a welcome kit, a bed and a menu of their own. Bigger dogs stay in Villa Amintina, the cottage rooms in the park with direct access to the garden. On a leash they're allowed in the lobby and on the restaurant terrace, though not by the pool or in the spa. Tell us early, and we'll confirm it with the hotel.