Villa Meraviglia

The location is great, the views are amazing, and the jacuzzi was a highlight, especially with that view. It was cold on the first day, though. The way down to the lake is lovely, but steep, with thorny bushes, and would be hard for children or older people to manage. That wasn't made clear to us. The house didn't match the photos or what we expected for the price. Its layout is odd and doesn't seem suited to more than 8 people at most, or to children and anyone who struggles with steep paths. The house, furniture and fittings felt old and outdated. There were notes everywhere saying things were forbidden, which didn't feel welcoming. Some spots also seemed unsafe for kids, with open stairs and balcony railings that weren't secure in places. A lot of the equipment was poor quality: some pots and pans were damaged or wouldn't work on the induction plate, the portable fans were noisy, and the TV and some roller blinds didn't work properly. The upstairs shower wouldn't drain and flooded the bathroom after two minutes. We also had lots of big flies, mosquitoes and even scorpions inside. The pool was full of insects, and we cleaned it ourselves. Old floorboards made the house noisy, and the lighting wasn't very nice. We stay at Lake Como every year for a week and have found much nicer houses for half the price. I wouldn't recommend this one or come back.

The garden and views are breathtaking, and the old villa has plenty of charm. Check-in was simple, but the showers were really difficult to use. During our stay, communication and service requests weren't handled professionally. Checkout itself went smoothly. After that, it took almost four weeks to get our deposit back, with a lot of back-and-forth because they tried to blame us for some mess. It took a significant amount of time, but they eventually realized we weren't responsible and apologized. I'd suggest staying here only in summer or during warm weather, and not expecting service to match the high price. Take detailed notes at handover and get them signed at both check-in and checkout.

There are lots of stairs, so watch out if you have toddlers or older people with you, and the driveway is very steep and tricky. The grounds and views are amazing, though, with a pool and hot tub that both work well. The villa feels a little dated and could use a refresh, but it has what a large group needs. Keep an eye out for fireflies in the garden and wild boars beyond the worn fencing.

With the Italian Alps in view, this private villa feels like a little slice of paradise. It has a built-in pool and a Jacuzzi overlooking the lake. Don't hesitate to book it!