Villa Cristina

A few minutes from the enchanting Bellagio, one of the most chic and refined properties on Lake Como. The space Villa Cristina is a private estate high above Lake Como, ten minutes from the centre of Bellagio: 12,000 square metres of botanical park cared for by the botanist of Villa Carlotta, Villa Melzi and Villa del Balbianello, a view that sweeps from the lake to the Alps, and a privacy that no property on the shore can offer. The whole estate is reserved for your party alone. Some 400 metres above the lake, the climate is cool and breezy even at the height of summer, a natural refuge from the heat of the shore. From Bellagio’s piers, Tremezzo, Menaggio and Varenna are minutes away by ferry or private boat. The estate is, first of all, a park. Centuries-old trees, rare Japanese maples, a wall of blue, pink and white hydrangeas nearly forty metres long, heather beds and laurels shaped in the art of topiary; a network of paths with panoramic benches, statues and fountains and, at the top of the park, a private wood of its own. It is a garden made for living, not just for admiring: the lawns lie flat, so there is room to run, to play and to walk; friends gather by the pool or around the bocce court; and there is always a quiet bench with a view to read on. In the sunniest corner of the park, the 84 m² heated infinity pool is framed by mature trees in complete seclusion. Beneath a grove of tall pines lies a regulation bocce court; on the terrace, a telescope is trained on Varenna and the Grigne mountains across the water. Featured in several renowned international magazines, the Main Villa, some 650 square metres over two floors, was made by hand and is impossible to repeat: refined finishes, Biedermeier pieces, bespoke furniture by distinguished designers and a collector’s eye in every room. The principal floor opens onto the 110 m² terrace, with the living room and the dining room facing the lake and the mountains through picture windows. The garden level holds the winter garden, a second living room with its harp, the library, and three bedrooms with direct access to the park. The Guest House, steps away in the same park, is the estate’s second residence: on the ground floor, a minute’s walk from the pool, the Technogym fitness studio looks onto the garden; upstairs, two air-conditioned bedrooms with a terrace of their own give one branch of the party quarters of their own without ever leaving the property. The estate is tended year-round by its own gardener and caretaker; the caretaker speaks English and is the guests’ point of reference throughout the stay. Fresh linen and towels are provided through the stay, and a hamper of local produce awaits on arrival. Private boat, driver, in-villa massages, cooking lessons and wine tastings can be arranged through an experienced independent local concierge; private lunches and dinners in the villa can be booked directly with the estate’s culinary partner, Michelin-starred chef Mauro Elli. Como 33 km, Milan 73 km, Malpensa airport 78 km. A helipad lies 700 metres from the gate. BEDROOM & BATHROOM FIRST FLOOR Master Bedroom 1: double bed (175×200), en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower and jetted bathtub, TV, air conditioning, lake, garden and mountain view Bedroom 2: double bed (170×190), TV, air conditioning; private bathroom with shower and bathtub just outside the room Bedroom 3: double bed (170×200), TV, air conditioning, en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower and bathtub Guest bathroom on this floor GARDEN LEVEL Bedroom 4: double bed (180×200), TV, Dyson fan, direct access to the garden; shares a bathroom with Bedroom 6 Bedroom 5: French bed (110×200), en-suite bathroom with shower, fireplace (staff supervision required), Dyson fan Bedroom 6: single bed (100×200), Dyson fan; shares a bathroom with Bedroom 4 GUEST HOUSE (first floor) Bedroom 7: double bed (195×200), TV, air conditioning, private terrace, mountain view; shares a bathroom (bathtub with shower wand) with Bedroom 8 Bedroom 8: twin bedroom with two single beds (80×200, can be joined), TV, air conditioning Guest bathroom with shower on the ground floor FEATURES & AMENITIES 84 m² heated infinity pool Regulation bocce court Technogym fitness studio Jetted bathtub (master bedroom) Ping-pong table Telescope Wine cellar Outdoor dining area with barbecue Outdoor shower Two garages (up to 6 cars) and private parking Air conditioning in five bedrooms, Dyson fans in the garden-level bedrooms Wi-Fi throughout the house and the park Smart TVs with streaming services INCLUDED Cleaning of the premises Fresh linen and towels through the stay Gardener and pool maintenance Luxury bath products Welcome hamper of local produce Pool heating from June to August ADD-ON SERVICES Private lunches and dinners by Michelin-starred chef Mauro Elli, booked directly with the chef Independent local concierge for boat, driver, massages, cooking lessons and wine tastings, arranged and settled directly Pool heating in April, May, September and October: €10 per hour (in October, depending on the weather) Extra cleaning €40 per hour; laundry €40 per load; ironing €40 per hour Tourist tax: €5 per adult per day for the first 7 days, payable locally CIR: 013250-CNI-00246 CIN: IT013250C2QDX6I7PQ Registration details IT013250C2QDX6I7PQ