Villa La Cassinella is one of the fabled properties of Lake Como, the only private villa sharing the Punta di Lavedo with Villa Balbianello and offering its unique and suggestive view of the Lake Como's Gold Coast. The estate has grace and movement, beckoning to a life of intimacy and refinement. At Villa La Cassinella, the stories and fantasies of the past come to embrace what the discriminating traveler is seeking in this busy and pressing world, an oasis of unblemished beauty, tranquility and service.

The exceptional equilibrium of fine design, rich appointments, six-star amenities and unparalleled service that defines today's Villa La Cassinella is resetting the bar in the high stakes game of fabulous villas on Lake Como. Emerging from a deep renovation of three years constant work, complete with the moving of 2500 metric tons of stone and the creation of a 50 square meter room to house the large-capacity infrastructure for utilities, Villa La Cassinella is the sine qua non of rentable villas on the Lake.

Villa La Cassinella is understood to have been built sometime from the 1880's to 1926 and originally was not a villa at all. The name Cassinella comes from the casine, a word in Como dialect to mean barns or stables where animals live. You can see many dotting the lower reaches of Como's mountain slopes, simple isolated buildings surrounded by farmland even today. The original casine of the name is now an elegant curving porticoed living room and dining room from which you can enjoy a southeast view over the villa and its gardens to the Lake.

Research at the local town hall has not turned up much by way of detail on the Villa's history except that the important owners were Comasco industrialists who, in the 1960's had the brilliance to create around the property the exceptional gardens that remain today. This stunning 3 hectares of trimmed and tapered cypress trees, clipped boxwood hedges, vines of wisteria and jasmine, flowering dogwoods, azaleas, plus tree peonies and roses is a perfect match for the dynamic interest provided by the four structures, numerous terraces and multiple footpaths of Villa La Cassinella. Together they provide all manner of opportunity for really enjoying all the curves and panoramic moments of this idyllic landscape. Reading, drinking, talking or dozing in a courtyard shaded by a plane tree whose canopy has been turned into a perfectly round and almost flat leafy umbrella by sheer dint of some exceptional pruning is something you must come to Villa La Cassinella to enjoy.

Absolutely private, the only means of arriving to Villa La Cassinella is by boat, to a landing stage of stone steps leading through a formal garden with fountain pool, and up the short flight of stairs into the villa. The central courtyard, the upper terrace, the teak-decked pool lined in glass tiles, the tennis court are all designed for the enjoyment of the property and its enviable lake views, without being overtly visible to passing motorboats. Overland access is limited to a walkable old road over a hill to the local village. This is a suitable option for the energetic wanting independence and an afternoon ice cream, or simply a chance to disappear into the winding streets of a simple everyday village with an unusual charm.

In today's world of exceptional travel opportunities, meaningful luxury is in the details; triple-sheeted beds with Rivolta Carmingani's finest Italian linens on Vi-Spring handmade mattresses, Limoges china with separate services for breakfast, lunch and dinner, accompanied by a full complement of seven styles of stemware from Cristallerie de Montbronn in France. A Kaleidescape entertainment system powers the plasma TVs in each room and gives you an option of either 200 some-odd movies or 700 some-odd CD's. The air conditioning system is designed to maintain an even 17 degrees if you please and the English butler will be up with the dawn and available until you are ready to retire for the evening. In your room you will find Belgian chocolates from Galler. The enthusiastic chef who loves height and drama on the plate is just as happy to prepare good Italian home cooking or to bring in elusive caviar and triple grade sashimi tuna on a day and half notice. The staff of nine is well-trained to serve with an air of friendly hospitality. After all, this is Italy.

While at Villa La Cassinella you are guests and the generous welcome is sincere, an invitation to be at home in its sumptuous elegance and enjoy the pleasures of all its modern-day electronic wizardry. Wander around in your bathrobe with a cup of coffee or find your equivalent to Winston Churchill's solution. In recovering from the rigors of a lost election on the shores of Lake Como in 1945, he was described as having sat solidly for five hours... only pausing from time to time to lift his sombrero and mop his brow.

Layout

GROUNDS

Private gated boat landing leads to Villa, marked by famous tapered cypress trees for which estate is known, antique fountain and formal entrance gardens

Central courtyard with spreading plane tree; furniture for relaxing and enjoying; retractable awning for shade as neededDining Loggia with 180 degree views of lake and gardensUpper terrace with open loggia set for dining or relaxingHeated pool (L-shaped, 12 x 8 mtrs and 1.4 mtrs deep, stairs, electric cover) with vanishing edge and waterfall views of water with custom-designed glass-tile lining; teak decking with sun beds and umbrellas; some areas at pool completely privateAstroturf tennis court with flood lights surrounded by rose arbor; viewing platform cut into the terraced gardenVarious walking paths through terraced, manicured grounds Kitchen garden for guests useCountry road for walk to village

VILLA

Garden Level

Direct entrance to professional kitchen with granite counters, extensive refrigeration and storage for beverages and prep areas for butler, dumbwaiterLaundry roomStaff bathroom

Entrance Level

Formal entrance with yellow Senese marble floors and staircase; original period wrought iron railing and fireplaceElegant and spacious living room with parquet floor, working marble fireplace and seating for 12- 16 people; double doors to dining pavilionFormal dining room with newly installed copy of original parquet floors and working fireplace, accommodates up to 24; double doors open to central courtyardGuest bath finished in Senese marbleButler's pantry with dumbwaiter

First Floor

Master bedroom suite (king) with parquet floors, silk rugs, working fireplace. South-facing exposure with four windows onto Lake; double doors open Romeo & Juliet balcony; Adjacent studio with antique writing desk before three east-facing windows with view of garden and Lake, and private fax. Huge marble clad ensuite bath with double-sink vanity and oversized shower with sunflower head and hand-held option; two windows overlooking courtyard and upper terraceBlue bedroom (double bed) with original, two windows overlooking courtyard, floor-to-ceiling silk curtains; ensuite marble-finished bath (tub and shower, raised two steps) double sinks, window to courtyardMountain bedroom (king can separate) with parquet floors, fireplace, writing desk, marble finished ensuite bath (tub and shower stall) double sinks, arched windows overlooking garden and lakeTerrace bedroom (king can separate) with lovely arched window opening to double doors to terrace with stone stairs winding down to Garden Level; characteristic Lombardy tile floors, original fireplace and 'cassettone' ceiling of wood beams and panels, sitting area; marble-finished ensuite bath (shower stall) double sinks and window on the lake

Second Floor

Sitting room with seating for at least eight; large arched, south-facing window, original wood floor and working fireplaceFull bathroom (large shower stall) with skylight and stunning modern travertine sinkStudio Suite in the eaves, flooded with light from multiple sunlights equipped with blackout screens. Comprises sitting area with couches for 2 - 4 people and desk; double bedroom (king can separate), small single bedroom (twin) and ensuite bath (shower stall) with marble finishes. (Low clearance throughout Studio Suite, please inquire for details.)

LA CASSETTA

Cinema with projection screen and plasma TV, iPod dock and speakers (also audible at adjacent pool area). Seating for at least 12, four windows overlooking pool area, garden and lake. Double doors to upper terrace and pool.Efficiency kitchen for service to pool, cinema and gym; popcorn machineModern Technogym including Treadmill, Bike, cross trainer, stair climber, weights and wellness ball; independent sound system and wall-mounted plasma TV. Windows overlooking Lake Como and villa grounds.Full bath (shower stall)

Terrace House - by separate payment

Ground Floor

Spacious sitting room for six with original fireplace and four windows onto Lake and gardens; 'Hotbird' satellite system with 1500 channels and movies, DVD; stairs with solid railing to loft furnished for relaxing (low clearance); single bed availableSeparate eat-in kitchen (4 gas burners, oven, fridge, microwave) equipped for preparation of simple meals, small table and direct access to garden.

First Floor

External staircase opens to central vestibuleDouble Bedroom (king can separate) with double doors opening to large shared balconyPrivate bath (shower)Double bedroom (king can separate) with ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, partition)

DARSENA (These spaces off-limits to guests)

Boathouse for Lucia, typical Lake Como boat for 8 plus skipper, either covered or uncoveredStaff accommodation

Rental Notes

Children over 12 welcome; children under 12 by advance agreement and only with dedicated nanny or other oversightSome hazards for children and anyone unsteady on their feet; please discuss particular concerns directly with our staff Each bedroom equipped with a Plasma TV with satellite, iPod dock and individual DVD players as well as being served by Kaleidescape entertainment system in each bedroom providing access to over 700 music CD's and over 200 movies; the selection will be updated regularly.Universal remote for controlling in-room entertainment and heating/cooling systemsIn-room telephone and intercom serviceTwice-daily room cleaning plus turndown serviceChef-prepared meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner; in-room breakfast service available on requestClassic Lake Como boat shuttles guests locally; high speed boat service to Villa d'Este and other Points of Interest by separate arrangementFood and Beverage expenses accounted for at the villa by the House Manager with the guests

Points of Interest

Lenno, Villa Balbianello; 2 minutes by boatBellagio: 15 minutes by boat Cernobbio (Villa d'Este, shopping), Como: 35 minutes by boatMenaggio (golf, shopping): 20 minutes by boatLugano (shopping, casino): 1 hour by boat and car; 20 minutes by float planeMilan (downtown, airports); 1 - 1 1/2 hoursSt. Moritz: 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. by boat and car; 30 minutes by float plane.

 An additional 10% gov tax will be added.

Due to factors beyond our control, prices and conditions are subject to change without notice.

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