Luxury Cottage by Design Studio

We had a great stay at Grabbia 6. I'd definitely go back.

The lakeside view and the boat pickup just a few steps away were the only real positives for us. That's where my two stars come from. We stayed at La Torretta 8 in Bellano, Lake Como, from June 13- June 16, 2026, after booking through Airbnb. I’m posting here because Airbnb doesn’t let me add photos. I’m sharing six, and the yellow highlights show what I’m referring to. The host told us the listing only included shampoo for the first day. That’s partly true, since it’s mentioned under “The Space,” but the listing later says otherwise. He also said there was no sofa bed. Yet screenshots from both Airbnb and the website clearly show one. When we asked for extra pillows for it, he refused because he believed it didn’t exist. The Airbnb “What this place offers” section also lists extra pillows, blankets, shampoo, body soap, and shower gel. We found no extra pillows and no shower gel or body soap. Either the host didn’t know what the listing said, or didn’t understand his own property details. The service and accommodation felt like the company was doing the bare minimum. The AC only cooled the bedroom, so anyone sleeping on the sofa bed would be sweating through summer nights. My sixth photo shows that sofa bed, despite the host saying there wasn’t one. This felt like the Spirit/Ryanair of vacation booking. The host was also snappy while we tried to sort things out. I hope it was a language barrier, because otherwise that attitude was unacceptable. We were only asking for what the listing promised.

The apartment had a postcard-like lake view, and restaurants, shops, and attractions were all easy to reach. I found a place that suited me from the agency’s wide range of apartments, and booking was straightforward and stress-free. The staff were attentive and helpful, responding quickly to my questions and requests. The apartment itself was beautiful, and I woke up each morning feeling as if I were in a dream. I’d happily use the agency again for another Lake Como stay. Their professionalism and the quality of the accommodation made this a memorable trip, and I’d recommend getting in touch if you’re planning a visit.

I’ve stayed in several of their apartments, all with lake views, including weekday visits when I worked remotely. Wi-Fi, a TV, and a well-equipped kitchen made that easy. The places are elegant and thoughtfully furnished, and they’ve always been spotless. The owners are friendly and professional, and readily share information through their agency, which is available to guests. I also appreciate how convenient the self-service check-in and check-out are. Thanks to Design Studio for the relaxing stays and good value. I’ll be back whenever I can.