Villa Caterina

The only real plus was the setting. Villa Caterina by Impero House sits among the woods in Stresa, with a magnificent lake and mountain view. We stayed in the downstairs apartment, and there were problems throughout: the entrance light was broken with no nearby alternative, and the front door stuck and barely opened. There wasn't enough cutlery, the TV showed only static, and all the beds were old. One bedroom wardrobe was secured with a big padlock, which seemed strange. The old doors all squeaked, and the cleaning wasn't up to standard. I wouldn't recommend it.

The upstairs apartment has a fantastic view, and the villa has the feel you expect from one. There’s a good layout, plenty of terraces and places to sit, plus large grounds where kids and dogs can play. The whole property is fenced, with an electric gate and a vehicle gate at the street. Dogs are allowed. The upstairs and downstairs apartments connect through a stairwell with a landing door, and the downstairs one is newly renovated. A few practical things were awkward. The kitchen supplies in both apartments are incomplete and a bit random, with no large meat or bread knives, for example, and only three wine glasses for six people. The upstairs apartment has a coffee machine, but it only serves two people. There are no coffee machines elsewhere upstairs. Each person gets just one small and one large white handbook, so a beach stay is difficult without bringing your own towels. Some cupboards are full of books, and reaching some clothes rails takes a ladder. The TV channels are Italian only. Waste sorting instructions are only in Italian, and the bins aren't labeled. The garage for the downstairs apartment only fits a small car.