Sereno Hotels is opening a second property on the shores of Lake Como at Villa Pliniana, a 16th century Italian palazzo set on 18 waterfront acres.

This marks Sereno Hotels’ third location, and second on Lake Como after the recently-announced Il Sereno, Lago di Como, located less than 1,000 yards from Villa Pliniana and set to open in July 2016. The company also owns Le Sereno in St. Barths.

Villa Pliniana is due to open on 1 March, and will feature 19 bedrooms in the main villa as well as three additional stand-alone villas that can accommodate up to 39 guests. The villa will also have event halls, vast gardens and its own private spa with large swimming pool, whirlpool, rain showers, sauna, steam bath, solarium and relaxing lounge mezzanine.

The villa’s site is filled with history, having acquired its name from its first mention by Pliny the Elder in the 1st century. Villa Pliniana’s land was originally built on by Count Giovanni Anguissola in 1573, and has been visited by the likes of Lord Byron and Napoleon.

“We are thrilled to add Villa Pliniana to Il Sereno Lago di Como less than a mile away, and to its sister property in St. Barth’s,” said Luis Contreras, owner of Sereno Hotels. “Villa Pliniana is the perfect complement to Il Sereno, where our guests can now enjoy both the newest and oldest great buildings in Lake Como.”

Sereno Hotels has once again partnered with Milan-based designer Patricia Urquiola – who is also working on Il Sereno – to redesign Villa Pliniana’s interiors. Full restoration of the existing buildings has just been completed, and Urquiola’s designs will be unveiled later this year.

The villas feature 21st century comforts mixed with historical details such as frescoes, boiseries, terrazzos and fireplaces. A highlight is the piano where Gioachino Rossini wrote the Opera Tancredi in 1813, which still rests in the same spot where he once sat.