Villa Scagliola

The spot is quite good, right by a beach, though the beach itself wasn’t especially clean. The house, unfortunately, had mold that made it uninhabitable. Airing it out didn’t get rid of the awful smell. The landlord answered our initial inquiry right away, but ignored us when we contacted him about the mold and other problems. We got no proper compensation or apology. The service was abysmal, and the whole thing felt like a rip-off. I can’t recommend the house.

Verbania itself is a great place, and getting around from there is easy. We were glad we’d planned plenty of trips and had beautiful weather, because we couldn’t bear spending much time in the apartment. The villa is lovely as a property, but it’s run-down and dusty, and hadn’t been cleaned properly before we arrived. In warm weather the apartment gets unbearably hot, so air conditioning is badly needed. Some days the internet was practically unusable. The shower curtain was yellowed and its rod crooked, while the grill out front couldn’t be used. People, including gardeners, were on the grounds throughout the week, which also looked neglected. Such a shame.

The apartment itself was very clean and well equipped. The grounds are large, but sadly neglected, and people often wandered onto the property. Our dog confronted them, though luckily he didn’t bite anyone. A dog holiday here isn’t advisable because the fence has some pretty significant gaps. The old sun loungers were broken and dilapidated, and the grill was already partly broken and nearly falling apart. The internet didn’t work at all during our first week.

The kitchen was well equipped, so cooking our own meals was easy, and the bathroom was okay. But after two weeks at "Villa" Scagliola, we wouldn’t return. Most of the house felt unwelcoming, bare and uncomfortable, with old, unattractive furniture that wasn’t cozy or tasteful. The garden must once have been wonderful, and it’s still interesting, but spending time there was only pleasant to a point. There’s a plastic table with low chairs that you have to move around the lawn, plus two old, uncomfortable folding loungers. The grill had clearly been used and never cleaned. The garden is impressive, but overgrown and neglected, and our dogs loved it. The caretaker or the friendly elderly homeowners would show up at all hours, so we never knew when we might suddenly have company in the garden. Verbania and this beautiful region are well worth visiting, but there are much more comfortable places to stay for your precious vacation.