La Rosa Home

Most things went smoothly, and we were happy with the large, very clean accommodation. The dogs nearby bark quite a bit, though they’re friendly. In the kitchen, we missed some utensils, including a cooking spoon, as well as basics like oil and vinegar. One morning there was no electricity or hot water, and the landlady hadn’t told us in advance. That really should have been mentioned.

The upstairs bedroom was a highlight, with a double bed, a single bed, its own shower bathroom, and a big balcony looking toward the mountains. The other rooms are nicely furnished too. The apartment is a detached terraced house set back from the road at the front of the building, while the rest seems to be used by the family. The front area is fenced off from the family’s property, which is useful if your dog doesn’t get along with the owners’ dogs. Dogs are welcome. It’s a quiet location, only a few kilometers from the Swiss border. You can shop in the village, or go to the village 2 km away for larger purchases. The cleanliness is exceptional, as though the place had just been renovated. In the shoulder seasons, a pellet stove provides heat, and the landlord supplies the pellets. The kitchen is equipped in the typical, somewhat basic Italian style. There’s a large TV with Italian channels only, but you can stream wirelessly from a tablet or similar device. The Wi-Fi is fast enough. The landlord’s family speaks Italian; the son may know enough English.

The hospitality was lovely, and breakfast was good enough for a top-class hotel. We stayed for a weekend with a couple of friends, using two rooms in an apartment. Everything was excellent, especially the cleanliness. Nearby, Villa Vertemate-Franchi is a must-see, an astonishingly well-preserved gem. We also recommend a trip to the Acqua Faggia waterfalls. I've included a few photos of Villa Vertemate and the falls. Such a lovely surprise, and definitely worth doing again.

We felt like we had a second home in the mountains. We’ve stayed here twice, once in the small downstairs room with a bathtub and once upstairs, where the balcony has a wonderful mountain view. The villa apartment is beautifully furnished, peaceful, and spotless, with lovely attention to detail. After a first chat when we arrived, the lady gave us the information we needed and then left us in complete peace. In the mornings, breakfast was laid out with a generous choice of sweet and savory food. The homemade cake the lady makes on Sundays deserves special praise. There are lovely walks and excursions nearby, especially to the Aquafraggia waterfalls and the village of Savogno above them. Chiavenna is beautiful too, and the crotti have good food at low prices. I hope this place never changes.