Luxury Hotels - Please advise - luxury villa rentals

for the areas:

Lake Como (directly at lake)
Northern Italy (lakes + sea)

Thank you

for the areas:

Lake Como (directly at lake)
Northern Italy (lakes + sea)

Thank you

Where specifically in Northern Italy are you looking for?

Also- are you able to speak Italian or would you prefer an agency who can work with you in English?

What kind of Budget are you looking for?

By the way, personally I much prefer Garda to Lago di Como and it typically costs half the price as it doesn't have the George Clooney/Race Car Driver/etc crowd. There are tons of beautiful properties around Desenzano and the area which can be rented for the week. If you are looking for August however it is probably far too late to get anything of quality.

For Lake Como , Villa D'Este rents two villas . Go on their website and you'll find specific info (pdf to download here http://www.villadeste.com/en/20/private-villas.aspx)

Where specifically in Northern Italy are you looking for?

Also- are you able to speak Italian or would you prefer an agency who can work with you in English?

What kind of Budget are you looking for?

By the way, personally I much prefer Garda to Lago di Como and it typically costs half the price as it doesn't have the George Clooney/Race Car Driver/etc crowd. There are tons of beautiful properties around Desenzano and the area which can be rented for the week. If you are looking for August however it is probably far too late to get anything of quality.
Any lake in Northern Italy... Lake Como preferred though, unless you have a good advice for Lage Garda.
No need for English speaking agency.
Budget: up to 30/35.000 per week for 7Pax

For Lake Como , Villa D'Este rents two villas . Go on their website and you'll find specific info (pdf to download here http://www.villadeste.com/en/20/private-villas.aspx)
Thanks a lot Vincent:

They have two Villas:

Villa Cima: is directly located on the lake. Massive villa, looks great. However even though directly located on the lake, you cannot enter the lake from there
Villa Malakoff: is on a hill, and therefore no option....

Any lake in Northern Italy... Lake Como preferred though, unless you have a good advice for Lage Garda.
No need for English speaking agency.
Budget: up to 30/35.000 per week for 7Pax

You have some good options with 35K EUR per week.

Contact http://www.quintessentially.com/- they will set you up- their Italian operation is strong.

You have some good options with 35K EUR per week.

Contact http://www.quintessentially.com/- they will set you up- their Italian operation is strong.

Haha! I don't know what experience you have had of them, but they were rubbish when I used them.

Use www.kronosmembers.com as they do have a strong operation in Italy and south of france especially. Sign up to their free membership level and then do it! You will literally pay sub 100 EUR and they'll do all the work!

Haha! I don't know what experience you have had of them, but they were rubbish when I used them.

Use www.kronosmembers.com as they do have a strong operation in Italy and south of france especially. Sign up to their free membership level and then do it! You will literally pay sub 100 EUR and they'll do all the work!

I have used Quintessentially and live in Northern Italy.

What specifically was rubbish regarding their services in this area? I would like to provide them with some feedback as they are really good people in my experiences.

for the areas:

Lake Como (directly at lake)
Northern Italy (lakes + sea)

Thank you

My favourite is Bob's Boathouse at Villa Feltrinelli on Lake Garda - it's a beautiful Villa right on the edge of the lake (and yes, you can swim), with full kitchen, 2 levels and acres of style. There is nothing as remotely good on lake Como or Maggiore.

My favourite is Bob's Boathouse at Villa Feltrinelli on Lake Garda - it's a beautiful Villa right on the edge of the lake (and yes, you can swim), with full kitchen, 2 levels and acres of style. There is nothing as remotely good on lake Como or Maggiore.

As I mentioned on post #2 full agreement about Garda.

Feltrinelli is very very good.

Out of curisoity vuittonsofstyle- what does the boat house cost per week?

at feltrinelli could do boat house plus rustica or fiori (exclusive use)

rates including boat house in 2010 >
http://web.archive.org/web/20100629152327/http://www.villafeltrinelli.com/home/rates.html

There is nothing as remotely good on lake Como
not necessarily... :D :cool:
como no budget options include >
http://www.departures.com/articles/villa-to-rent-como-chic
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/2de53372-c719-11dd-97a5-000077b07658.html#axzz1ySlmcfOh

for agencies >
http://www.departures.com/articles/the-top-villas-in-tuscany

I have used Quintessentially and live in Northern Italy.

What specifically was rubbish regarding their services in this area? I would like to provide them with some feedback as they are really good people in my experiences.

Ok perhaps rubbish is too strong a word! But basically i find that they charge huge premiums and actually do not know the areas so well....or the accommodation itself..I'm sure they are good in some parts of what they do, but travel/accom is not one of them, at least in my opinion and those of the few people i know who have cards with them.

They are excellent at getting sold out events and film premiers though..^

CastaDiva has a 3 bedroom villa on property.... faces the lake at the water level (so i suppose you could access the lake so to speak). Gives you easy access to hotel services.

There are countless agents for Como area villas and buyer has to be so aware with private rentals.

Ok perhaps rubbish is too strong a word! But basically i find that they charge huge premiums and actually do not know the areas so well....or the accommodation itself..I'm sure they are good in some parts of what they do, but travel/accom is not one of them, at least in my opinion and those of the few people i know who have cards with them.

They are excellent at getting sold out events and film premiers though..^

Thanks for the feedback. The 2 people I know who work in N Italy are from Treviso/Venezia and Lombardia- they better know the area well!

I agree with events they are very good- also restaurants.

The issue in Italy in renting a villa is always to understand if:
a) It has been maintained well
b) The owner is not going to give you any problems
c) The hidden costs are well understood going in

Thinking of a b c together- I do have to agree with vuittonsofstyle that Feltrinelli could really be an excellent option.

Como is really not my style personally compared to Garda- far too touristy (at Como) and really very overpriced for not good reasons.

My favourite is Bob's Boathouse at Villa Feltrinelli on Lake Garda - it's a beautiful Villa right on the edge of the lake (and yes, you can swim), with full kitchen, 2 levels and acres of style. There is nothing as remotely good on lake Como or Maggiore.
Thanks a lot... good idea
forgot to mention though that we will be 6+1kid so only Casa di Fiori would be good for us... and it s unfortunately not available any more!
Next time this is going to be the solution!

CastaDiva has a 3 bedroom villa on property.... faces the lake at the water level (so i suppose you could access the lake so to speak). Gives you easy access to hotel services.

There are countless agents for Como area villas and buyer has to be so aware with private rentals.
good idea - going to try!

Haha! I don't know what experience you have had of them, but they were rubbish when I used them.

Use www.kronosmembers.com as they do have a strong operation in Italy and south of france especially. Sign up to their free membership level and then do it! You will literally pay sub 100 EUR and they'll do all the work!
thanks for the advice... on their website it looks like they have an infinity membership which must be at high cost as it includes a lot... what about the "free membership level" you mentioned?

good idea - going to try!

If you don't mind moving your geography a little bit- and are happy with an ocean view and a great swimming pool in a private villa with a cook etc- check out also Positano and the surrounding Amalfi area. This is really nice (and better food as well).

If you don't mind moving your geography a little bit- and are happy with an ocean view and a great swimming pool in a private villa with a cook etc- check out also Positano and the surrounding Amalfi area. This is really nice (and better food as well).
do you know anything a bit more to the north? Maybe Tuscany? If it's not close at a lake it'd have to have sea access...

thanks for the advice... on their website it looks like they have an infinity membership which must be at high cost as it includes a lot... what about the "free membership level" you mentioned?

Yep. Well they don't seem to advertise it...its called Access membership. Just send them an email or call them and they'll sign you up. The good thing is that you get access to most services and just pay service fees. Im a paid member but a friend of mine did what you are trying to do and paid less than 100 euros in fees after them working on it for literally 3 weeks!!

I understand Coutts give the top level membership to some of its clients now for travel purposes so alternatively get a bank account with them!

do you know anything a bit more to the north? Maybe Tuscany? If it's not close at a lake it'd have to have sea access...

My experiences are in the North (Lombardia/Veneto) and in the south (Salerno/Amalfi/Positano). Sadly most of my experiences in and around Toscana are limited to work.

The very best areas of Italy for a sea vacation without a doubt are Puglia and Sicilia- I don't know where to even look there however as I have only been to friends houses.

IF you are looking for a combination of ocean, privacy, etc you may also want to check out Croatia- I like a lot the island of Hvar. Given your budget- you may want to look into chartering a yacht- Adriatic Escape of Split are good and you may also want to check Timone in either Lignano or Rimini. That way you can jump in the ocean whenever you want :)

My experiences are in the North (Lombardia/Veneto) and in the south (Salerno/Amalfi/Positano). Sadly most of my experiences in and around Toscana are limited to work.

The very best areas of Italy for a sea vacation without a doubt are Puglia and Sicilia- I don't know where to even look there however as I have only been to friends houses.

IF you are looking for a combination of ocean, privacy, etc you may also want to check out Croatia- I like a lot the island of Hvar. Given your budget- you may want to look into chartering a yacht- Adriatic Escape of Split are good and you may also want to check Timone in either Lignano or Rimini. That way you can jump in the ocean whenever you want :)
I like the Croatia idea.. do you know anything on Hvar in particular?

Yep. Well they don't seem to advertise it...its called Access membership. Just send them an email or call them and they'll sign you up. The good thing is that you get access to most services and just pay service fees. Im a paid member but a friend of mine did what you are trying to do and paid less than 100 euros in fees after them working on it for literally 3 weeks!!

I understand Coutts give the top level membership to some of its clients now for travel purposes so alternatively get a bank account with them!
that's very interesting, i emailed them before and I am now an access member (just need to fill out my personal questionnaire). let s test them too... going to send them an email today

that's very interesting, i emailed them before and I am now an access member (just need to fill out my personal questionnaire). let s test them too... going to send them an email today

I loved Villa Feltrinelli and think it would be a great choice.

Panarea in the Aeolian islands is absolutely stunning and very chic. We stayed at Hotel Raya, which I cannot recommend unfortunately, but there may be some nice villas there.

I like the Croatia idea.. do you know anything on Hvar in particular?

I have been on a boat. Get a good agent to do the legwork for you on a villa rental- there are a number of very impressive villas on the island and from what I understood the majority are for rent.

You can swim in Lake Garda, right off the jetty of Bob's Boathouse suite at Villa Feltrinelli, whereas you cannot swim in Lake Como, from CastaDiva, although they do have a floating swimming pool on the lake. Big difference in service between Feltrinelli and CastaDiva - Feltrinelli being far superior.

You can swim in Lake Garda, right off the jetty of Bob's Boathouse suite at Villa Feltrinelli, whereas you cannot swim in Lake Como, from CastaDiva, although they do have a floating swimming pool on the lake. Big difference in service between Feltrinelli and CastaDiva - Feltrinelli being far superior.

Garda is much nicer than Como as well.

Garda is much nicer than Como as well.

Not sure you can compare the two - quite different landscapes. I love Como, but I just wish someone would open a great hotel there, like Villa Feltrinelli!

Not sure you can compare the two - quite different landscapes. I love Como, but I just wish someone would open a great hotel there, like Villa Feltrinelli!

My experiences at Como have unfortunately involved meeting very annoying people who seem to be "famous" because they can kick a ball etc.

At Garda the atmosphere is much more laid back and thus for me more conducive to a vacation. It is also one hour closer to my house so this is another benefit :)

Thanks a lot Vincent:

They have two Villas:

Villa Cima: is directly located on the lake. Massive villa, looks great. However even though directly located on the lake, you cannot enter the lake from there
Villa Malakoff: is on a hill, and therefore no option....

Are you absolutely positive? That's not my memory from a stay back in 2006 as I clearly remember the Villa being on the lake (and having lake access) directly and people swimming.

The villa is on the bottom left:
http://www.villadeste.com/images/mobile/header/privatevillas_001.jpg

Edit: I see you mean "cannot enter the lake from there", but from where is it accessed then? As I'm even looking at a photo I took (too private to post lol) of the villa and people sunbathing/swimming right next to it.

Are you absolutely positive? That's not my memory from a stay back in 2006 as I clearly remember the Villa being on the lake (and having lake access) directly and people swimming.

The villa is on the bottom left:
http://www.villadeste.com/images/mobile/header/privatevillas_001.jpg

Edit: I see you mean "cannot enter the lake from there", but from where is it accessed then? As I'm even looking at a photo I took (too private to post lol) of the villa and people sunbathing/swimming right next to it.
hmm.. at least this was the information I received from the hotel itself. There is a lake access closer to the pool but not directly next to the Villa Cima

Abstract1, just wanted to thank for this advice. The membership was really free and i paid 90eur for the whole consultation (and i was not easy i can guarantee you that :cool: ) we are well taken care of in sardegna now, with a villa+pool, directly on the beach, just as i wanted it. great, should be an awesome july holiday :-)

Haha! I don't know what experience you have had of them, but they were rubbish when I used them.

Use www.kronosmembers.com as they do have a strong operation in Italy and south of france especially. Sign up to their free membership level and then do it! You will literally pay sub 100 EUR and they'll do all the work!

Hi Baldes, Im glad you found something good! Yes I've been very happy with these guys especially for the airline tickets and meet and greets. just a billion times better than all these other so called 'concierges'. ^

Dear baldesmichele

You seem to have found the perfect villa,
directly on the beach, with a private pool

Can you share any more details.
any pictures or link to a website ?

thanks

Rakesh