Villa Art'è

With the lake and piazza both a short walk away, the location was superb. Host Carla was so kind and welcoming, and made our time in Locarno feel especially memorable.

I came across this place by chance and what a gem it turned out to be. Carla, the owner and operator, takes great care of her guests and clearly takes pride in her home. The house and rooms are beautifully decorated. Highly recommend.

The rooms are comfortable, each furnished with its own tasteful style, and housekeeping was impeccable. Carla and Simona welcomed us discreetly and professionally, and really helped us feel at ease. Their kindness has us wanting to return for another relaxed conversation over a good glass of wine. We stayed in August at this lovely villa, just a few steps from the square, lake and train station. Its beautiful garden is a place to enjoy breakfast or other meals in warm weather, all prepared with care and passion by Carla from fresh, artisanal ingredients. Inside, there are paintings, sculptures and books everywhere, with a wonderful homely feel.

Breakfast was a problem for me as someone with celiac disease. There was no gluten-free alternative beyond rice cakes, and we had to ask for fruit juice. The portions were very small too. The property has three rooms, two facing the quiet garden and one facing the noisier street. In summer, with no air conditioning, you have to leave the windows open in that street-facing room. There's also just one shared bathroom for all the rooms, something that wasn't completely clear when we booked and isn't very convenient. We'd booked two nights at Vila Art B&B in Locarno but left after one because the stay didn't go as planned. It may work for a simple stopover, provided you're aware of these practical details beforehand.