Villa Maria Serena

Features

• Lovely freestanding villa within estate of Ville del Lago
• Completely renovated with state-of-the-art modernization
• Central air-conditioning
• Shared heated pool
• Direct Lake access for swimming and boating
• Includes staff for cleaning and cooking
• Services of a Homebase Abroad Concierge available for the duration of your stay
• Private car, boat and seaplane services can be arranged

Overview

Villa Maria Serena is a charming and beautifully designed villa accompanying Villa Maria Taglioni along the eastern shore of Lake Como near Como. These villas are the centerpiece of Ville del Lago, a prestigious estate directly across from Villa d'Este. Set amongst the trees lining the drive, the owners have created an elegant heated pool surrounded by a sun-deck in full view of the Lake. The grounds are extensive, 2.5 hectares of park and a dock for boats. The owners of the estate have invested some 15 years in bringing the properties to a very high standard of contemporary living in an exceptional location directly on the shore of the Lake with a view west to Villa d'Este.

Villa Maria Serena lies alongside the Lakefront to the south of Villa Maria Taglioni. Both homes share the same handsome neoclassical architecture with its appealing detail and scale. Plane trees, potted plants and shrubbery create a privacy screen between the two buildings, where the owner has added benches on the lawn for the enjoyment of the stunning view across the water. Just beyond Villa Maria Serena is the facade of a third villa (currently unrestored) which is also part of the estate. Adding to the appealing composition of the view is the handsome bell tower of a nearby town rising behind. Villa Maria Serena borders the village itself, with its shallow stairs and walking paths of stone. Just below is a private dock for swimming and boating. Stairs lead up past pool towards the main road and town shops. A short stroll into town brings you to the public boat dock and an excellent restaurant. Direct arrival to Villa Maria Serena is via the private garage. Here, the owners have kept the ceiling open around the perimeter for natural light, and lined the edge with planters of bamboo. A tall gate marks the entrance to the Villa.

This charming villa has been refinished with the same absolute dedication to style, sophistication and comfort as Villa Maria Taglioni. There are automatic room lights and interior cupboard lighting, beautifully restored family antiques, and marble-finished bathrooms. The owners have very carefully calibrated the colors and details to achieve the overall effect. Each room has its own soothing shade and a mix of modern and classical design touches. Villa Maria Serena has an intimate charm and contemporary appeal.

Layout

GROUNDS

• Enclosed estate with 2.5 hectare private park (shared)
• Shared heated pool (200 square meters, 9 feet deep, ladder access, cement lined) with sun-deck
• Outdoor terrace on Lake-front for dining al fresco (accommodates 12 guests)
• Gate to village, access to owner's private dock
• Underground garage with direct entrance to Villa

COURTYARD LEVEL

• Entrance from courtyard linking Villa Maria Serena with Villa Maria Taglioni and the town.
• Central hall open up to first floor. Double doors open to balcony along Lake.
• TV room with working fireplace, comfortable seating, HDTV with satellite (SKY), DVD. Double doors open to courtyard. Can be used as double bedroom (twins) on request.
• Private bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain) with marble finishes.
• Double bedroom (king can separate) with walk-in closet. Double doors open to balcony running length of house. Ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain). Double doors open to stone railing.
• Double bedroom (king) with double doors opening to the above-mentioned balcony. Ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain). Double doors open to a balustrade.
• Double bedroom (twins) - private bath (tub, hand-held)

LAKE LEVEL

• Iron gate from garage to patio set for breakfast al fresco.
• Primary entrance hall. Stairs lead to upper level (open landings could be a hazard for young children; please inquire).
• Dining/living room with five sets of double doors opening to surrounding terrace and walkway. Dining table seats 10. Two seating areas with their own working fireplaces.
• Eat-in kitchen (4 gas- and 2 electric-burners, large oven, microwave, GE double door fridge, separate freezer, 2 dishwashers) with table for six. Adjacent pantry. Double doors open to breakfast patio and walkway surrounding house.
• Vestibule to guest bath (open stall shower, no curtain).
• Laundry room (washing machine and dryer).

FIRST FLOOR

• Center hall.
• Double bedroom (twins can combine) with ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain).
• Double bedroom (twins can combine) with ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain).
• Private bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain).
• Double bedroom (twins can combine).

Rental Notes

• Saturday - Saturday rentals only.
• Welcome dinner included, courtesy of Homebase Abroad.
• Cook and butler service for included for 3 meals/day, 6 days/week. Additional cook and butler service on request at E.13.00/hour.
• Cleaning included 4 hours/day, 7 days/week. Heat, gas, electricity and air-conditioning included. Pool heating on request only in July and August.
• Twice weekly bed linen change, daily bath linen change; additional linens by separate payment on request.
• Personal laundry by separate payment at E. 12.00/hour.
• Extremely sophisticated state-of-the-art electronics throughout (remote sensor lighting, push-button control of exterior shutters, automatic interior lighting of cabinetry, etc.).
• Complimentary WiFi internet connection available.
• Children under 8 must be accompanied by nanny. Older children are welcome with the understanding they are well-behaved and well-looked after by guests or guest staff. Owners' staff is not available for child-care services.
• There are some hazards on the grounds (open lakeside, steep garden paths and stairs, etc.). The pool is deep and swimmers must be comfortable with using ladders to climb out. There is no shallow end. Guests are fully responsible for their own safety at all times.
• Owners prefer rental of Villa Maria Serena and Villa Maria Taglioni together in high season.
• Villa Maria Taglioni may be rented to another party during your stay, in which case all guests would share use of property and heated pool. Pool has two beach ends and enormous deck affording some privacy.
• Private car, boat and seaplane services can be arranged on request. A free half hour seaplane tour is included.
• Weekday passes to the Villa d'Este Sporting Club are available; please inquire for specifics.
• Water-skiing, canoeing, golf and tennis are available on request; please inquire.

Points of Interest

• Como (all services, shops, restaurants, boat hire, public ferry service, train station): 10 minutes by boat or car
• Cernobbio (Villa d'Este, boutiques, restaurants): 5 minutes by boat, 15 minutes by car
• Menaggio, Tremezzo: 30-40 minutes by boat or car
• Bellagio: 30 minutes by boat, 50 minutes by car
• Milan, Milan airport: 1 hour

Price

Price information available upon request.

Extras

• Telephone/fax/internet
• Food, beverages and consumables
• Additional cooking, butler and cleaning services
• Personal laundry
• Additional linens
• Extras deposit due on arrival
• Refundable security deposit ($5,000)

Contact Information

Homebase Abroad, Ltd.
Two Hooper Street
Marblehead, MA 01945

Phone: (781) 639-4040
UK: +44-20-7084-6374
Fax: (781) 639-3050

© February 2012 by Homebase Abroad, Ltd. All rights reserved.

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