MUSA and Roteo: Embracing Circularity in Sala Comacina, Lake Como

The hospitality venture launched in 2022 by Claire Gray is finding its place along Lake Como’s competitive western shore, combining Roteo’s culinary vision with MUSA’s minimalist and light-oriented design

MUSA Lake Como: Hospitality and Cuisine on the Shores of Lake Como

MUSA Lake Como, inaugurated in 2022, integrates contemporary hospitality with the cultural and culinary heritage of Sala Comacina. Its restaurant, ROTEO, led by chefs Matteo Corridori and Robert Moretti, takes its name from a combination of the chefs’ initials and syllables. The name reflects a conceptual emphasis on the interconnected relationships between the region, its cuisine, local producers, guests, and staff.

International critics were quick to take notice. At the World Luxury Hotel Awards and World Luxury Restaurant Awards ceremony in Bali, MUSA earned three prestigious titles: “Best Luxury Lakeside Hotel” worldwide, “Luxury Design Boutique Hotel” in Southern Europe, and “Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Italy” (for its restaurant, Roteo). Established respectively in 2006 and 2015, these two awards programs are among the foremost certifications of quality in the global luxury hospitality and dining sectors. Each year, more than 300,000 international travelers and a specialized jury vote to honor those properties that excel in both service and value.

Just two years after opening, MUSA and its private villas boast a 97% occupancy rate—an impressive figure in the competitive Lake Como market. The villas, in particular, saw an 80% rise over the previous year, attracting visitors primarily from the United States and Australia. Roteo’s gastronomic appeal also shines through, as 69% of its diners are outside guests, drawn in by menus created by Chefs Corridori and Moretti. Meanwhile, the MUSA team has grown from 27 employees in June 2022 to 53 today.

ROTEO: A Concept Centered on Circularity

ROTEO’s name also evokes rotation—the cyclical nature of the seasons and of local ingredients as they move from producer to plate on Lake Como. Seasonality and minimal waste are top priorities, and every phase is traceable, from sourcing to plating to the disposal of any leftovers.

This spirit of circularity is reflected in the image of a round table where chef, server, and guest share equal footing—no hierarchies, just a fluid exchange. ROTEO’s intimate dining space, awash in natural light, encourages conversation and sharing. The menu spotlights the freshest local products, delivered with authenticity and quality in mind.

Roteo’s tasting menus exemplify the restaurant’s ethos. Diners can choose between “Degustazione Roteo” and “Degustazione Selvaggina,” two culinary journeys that marry local tradition with modern techniques, reflecting Roteo’s commitment to honoring its home turf in a contemporary way.

Matteo Corridori, Executive Director & Chef, And Robert Moretti

While completing his studies at ENAIP in 2013, Matteo Corridori worked as a commis chef at restaurants around Lake Como and at Pomiroeu with Giancarlo Morelli. He then honed his skills at Phi Restaurant in Costa Smeralda before moving to the UK’s Stoke Park Country Club Spa and Hotel as Chef de Partie. He also took part in the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, traveling to Africa and Japan, and later founded EATsperience as a private chef. In 2019, he joined The Gilbert Scott in London under two-Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing before returning to Italy for stints at Radici and Aquadolce on Lake Como. In 2020, he placed second on the Sky TV program “Antonino Chef Academy.” The following year, Corridori accepted an offer from the Gray family to join MUSA Lake Como, reuniting professionally with Robert Moretti.

Robert Moretti launched his career in 2015 at Hotel Villa Belvedere in Argegno and the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. In 2016, he moved to the UK to join Stoke Park Hotel and Country Club as Chef de Partie. November 2017 took him to Dubai’s BVLGARI Hotel and Residences under Niko Romito, with a stint at the three-Michelin-starred Reale. Returning to London in January 2019, Moretti worked at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, also three Michelin stars. He joined MUSA in 2021, reconnecting with Corridori; together they channeled their shared background into a high-profile venture that fuses top-tier cuisine and hospitality, solidifying a partnership formed years earlier.

The Geographic Context of Sala Comacina

Set along the western shores of Lake Como, Sala Comacina is part of the Tremezzina area (along with Tremezzo, Lenno, and Ossuccio). The lake, surrounding hills, and small villages nestled on the shoreline create a landscape that melds natural splendor with a rich cultural legacy.

Because of its geographic position, Sala Comacina has long been a commercial crossroads—dating back to Roman times, when the lake offered vital routes for goods and passengers, aided by local docks and infrastructure. Over centuries, the temperate climate, moderated by the lake’s waters, has supported vineyards, olive groves, gardens, and orchards. Today, visitors encounter a setting that combines an authentic local fabric—where residents and artisans still live and work—with high-level tourism, in which MUSA has quickly become a prime reference point.

A Historical Snapshot: From Rome to Medieval Fiefdoms

Historical sources record settlements along Lake Como’s western edge dating to the Roman era. Across the centuries, the region came under various feudal, comital, and episcopal rulers. The Middle Ages were marked by battles over control of key parts of the lake, resulting in a centuries-long cycle of constructing, demolishing, and rebuilding walls, towers, churches, and fortifications.

Later centuries saw the rise of noble estates, villas, and manicured gardens, celebrating the lake’s beauty. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Lake Como came into its own as a sought-after destination for cultured travelers, merchants, and intellectuals. Today, Sala Comacina remains an inviting locale where nature, history, art, and culinary traditions converge.

Comacina Island: Lake Como’s Only Island

From MUSA’s terrace, guests can admire Comacina Island—Lake Como’s only island and one of its most distinctive features. Its Roman and early medieval heritage includes religious buildings, fortifications, and ruins of ancient churches and towers, all of which speak to the island’s complex political and military history.

Accessible by boat from various points along the lake, Comacina Island attracts both tourists and researchers of archaeology, art history, and military architecture. Though small, it holds a symbolic place in the Tremezzina, offering an impressive cultural and visual experience for visitors.

MUSA: High-End Hospitality with a Contemporary Design

Opened in 2022, MUSA was envisioned as an upscale hotel that pairs understated elegance with Lake Como’s natural splendor. The design, entrusted to Claudia Kempen Concept, features natural materials such as wood and marble, neutral color palettes, clean lines, and generous windows that welcome in abundant sunlight.

Guest rooms are intentionally limited in number, ensuring privacy and meticulous attention to detail. One showpiece accommodation is the top-floor suite, accessible via a coded sliding door. Exposed wooden beams and minimalist décor blend with modern technology—like a TV that retracts into the furniture and a fully equipped marble bathroom—so guests can feel at home without sacrificing five-star amenities.

The “Queen” Room at MUSA Lake Como

On the hotel’s top floor—beyond a coded sliding door—you’ll find a unique space called the “Queen Regina Elisabetta” room. A youthful portrait of the Queen hangs in a modern frame on one wall; similar prints and photos of the lake appear elsewhere in the hotel, housed in sleek, minimal frames.

Exposed wooden beams accent the room’s vertical edges, contrasting with its white walls to reflect natural light. The bed has a thick mattress and a neutral headboard, facing a sleek cabinet that conceals the TV. Behind the bed lies an open-concept closet, with two bronze busts displayed on a shelf as decorative touches. Clad in white marble, the bathroom’s minimalist design evokes a refined spa feel.

The Gray Family and Claire Gray

MUSA is owned by the Gray family, international entrepreneurs with extensive experience in tourism and travel. At the helm is Claire Gray, originally from England and holder of an MBA in Global Business Management from the Thunderbird School of Management in Geneva. She spent 36 years in Australia and over a decade in Europe, driven by a passion for travel and aviation.

In 1898, she founded her first company with her brother, a venture that grew over time into Corporate Travel Management, eventually listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Claire served as Executive Director for four years, overseeing global expansion through acquisitions and partnerships, orchestrating the merger of four newly acquired businesses, and implementing a global partner program.

She is now Founder and Executive Chairman of Anjuna Solutions, a multinational specializing in airline services, where she focuses on global strategy, partnerships, and acquisitions. Known for her knack in identifying a company’s potential and guiding its strategic growth, Claire brought this same vision to Lake Como in 2020, resulting in MUSA: a chic, world-class location designed to attract discerning guests from all over the globe.

Villa Musa: Privacy, Personalization, and Panoramic Views

Within MUSA’s wider offer is Villa Musa, an independent property in Mezzegra, not far from Sala Comacina. Catering to those seeking privacy and autonomy, the villa features spacious interiors, an infinity pool, a cinema room, and customizable services—from private chefs and yoga classes to expert-led outings around the lake.

By diversifying its portfolio yet maintaining a seamless link to the MUSA brand, Villa Musa delivers the same signature qualities—thoughtful design, minimalist style, and top-notch comfort—along with priority access to the main hotel’s amenities (restaurant, bar, and other services). The result is a “tailor-made” brand of luxury.

GAIA Bar: Mixology as a Circular Laboratory

Next to ROTEO sits GAIA Bar, overseen by Assistant Bar Manager Luca Salvioli. In a laid-back yet carefully curated atmosphere, GAIA Bar offers a journey through contemporary mixology rooted in a zero-waste philosophy. Nothing is discarded unnecessarily, and all ingredients are handled responsibly and creatively.

From in-house infusions to artisanal distillations, the bar’s drink selection receives the same attention to quality and seasonality seen in ROTEO’s menu. There are no flashy tricks—just coherent flavors, aromas, and presentations that deliver a well-rounded tasting experience. The synergy between the bar and the kitchen enables unique food-pairing concepts that embody MUSA’s overarching identity.

Matteo Mammoli