Villa Cassia

A Sturdy Stone Chalet With Privileged Views

This stone and timber chalet stands proudly on the exclusive shores of Lake Como, its sturdy upper deck offering soaring views over the water. The privileged placement of this villa for rent in Italy gives it the feeling of being suspended amid the dramatic peaks encircling the waterfront, and an infinity pool pours over the lot at what appears to be lake view eye-level, enhancing the dramatic panorama. 

Multiple outdoor living areas are spread under the bold chalet’s sloping, beamed roofline, and an open-air poolside picnic and sunbathing terrace offers breathtaking alfresco dining vistas.

This massive stone and wood chalet stands sturdily on the shores of Italy’s captivating Lake Como. It’s a bold lodge that holds a commanding position over the lake, offering a stay that’s more mountain-chalet styled than the garden party palace more typical of the lakeshore. We love the home’s sturdy stone foundation from which the chalet’s big timbers soar, supporting three bedrooms and baths, plus an attic level bedroom duo, spacious living areas, and fully-equipped kitchen. The living room dominates the heart of the house, offering a bank of gallery windows overlooking the lake, and a massive stone fireplace at its center.

The strong, rough-hewn stone that, along with sizeable timbers, makes up the home’s exterior structure is prominent inside the chalet’s design too. Interior spaces reveal rustic, exposed-stone walls, and the living area features a unique, low dividing wall that serves as a furniture backdrop behind the sofa and also makes up the strong, stony central stairwell leading downstairs to a wine cellar. Bathrooms feature cave-like walls and rock (instead of tiled) shower stalls, and big timbers create the only interruption to wide, interior walls and doorways of stone.

Given the multilevel footprint of this villa for rent in Italy, there are several terraces overlooking the lake. The driveway boasts its own private waterfall, and an infinity pool and sauna offer wide-open vistas, too.

Sleeping at the villa is configured as follows: two bedrooms with double beds and single sofa beds, one bedroom with a double and a double sofa bed, two attic rooms with double beds, and one attic living space with a double sofa bed.

AROUND

Lake Como needs no introduction. The luxurious Italian resort area is famed for its mountainous scenery reflected in its shimmering waters. Palatial mansions encircle the waterfront, and the exclusive village of Bellagio, the Renaissance town of Como, and the mountain enclave of Brunate are each popular destinations accessible on the lake.

Italy’s third-largest lake, Como is renowned for its celebrity residents and luxury goods and services. In addition to celeb-spotting, Lake Como offers abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation—boating, hiking, swimming, fishing, and touring the alpine trails and villages that border the water. Visits to the area’s stunning villas and gardens are possible by appointment, and fine dining opportunities are abundant in addition to no-reservation waterfront cafes in quaint villages.

LOCATION

Stazzona, Lake Como, Italy. Nearest airport: Milan Malpensa (1½ hours).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: April to October