“Lakeside retreat”

Reviewed 5 Oct 2017

We are already planning our return to the same villa. Do we need to say anything else? We hired a boat which was invaluable for quick trips to other towns around the lake. We ate on the terrace each evening looking at a view that we couldn't imagine tiring of. The pool was fun. We had long lunches each day at the many great restaurants around the lake.

“it was a perfect place for a group stay”

Reviewed 12 Aug 2017

as a place to stay on water's edge on Lake Come which isn't too pretentious Chez Nous was perfect.Essential to have a boat which if rented locally, Cantiere Mostes, means it comes with that personal service of advice on places to go and local fill up of petrol.Bedrooms were basic with only one bathroom plus separate wc, but living and dining space ideal although we needed extra sitting places when every bed space was occupied. With the covered front verandah even the one nights storm didn't stop outside eating. Swimming in Pool gorgeous and in lake exhilarating.Friendly owner there to help and maintain pool . The surrounding garden space offered differing areas for guests to "get away". Local shop,Pennino's a joy to visit, even up the steps, fantastic meat and most essentials, their Franco, delivering bread and croissants in morning and madam cooking the occasional meal. Happy Holidays were very helpful and efficient to work with, they arranged a very reasonable clean and sheet change in our mid stay. We had one of the best 3 weeks ever, and would surely one day return.

“Beautiful house and location”

Reviewed 28 Mar 2015

Our group consisted of 5 adults and 3 small children. The house is down a lot of steps but this means you have a fantastic, private spot right by the lake. We rented a boat and this was definitely a great way to get about - I felt like a film star when welcomed to a restaurant from a boat! I spent a lot of time sitting on the sheltered veranda watching the lake. The pool was lovely too. The weather was unusually rough but we still had a lovely time.

“Totally amazing - but for serious lake lovers!”

Reviewed 17 Sep 2013

I've just read both of the reviews for Villa Chez Nous, one great, one terrible, and in a way, they are both true. We wanted a villa by the lake, with mooring for a boat, privacy, a pool and crucially, enough space for 4 adults and 6 children, two of whom are babies. Villa Chez Nous offered all of this. The location is stunningly beautiful, throughout the day and night and you get almost total privacy. Obviously we were super vigilant with the small children around the lakeside and the pool, but we have been holidaying in villas with pools for 14 years now, and you learn to be constantly watching them. The interior of the villa had some corners which the cleaners hadn't ventured into when we first arrived, but it was practical, had all mod cons (no bath though) and when you spend most of the time by the pool or on the lake or barbecuing, it was fine. It was not as "high end" as some villas we have stayed in, the sofa was Ikea not Roche Bobois (the beds are probably Ikea too but ours didn't collapse as the previous reviewers did!) and the shower and sinks did block up a bit, but Italian plumbing can be a bit hit and miss. Two of the four bedrooms are single bedrooms with kids bunkbeds in, which suited us fine. The bunks are a decent size and fitted my eldest who is 5'8''. Crucially, we had hired a boat for the week. Luckily my husband is confident with mooring up and navigating and so it was his toy - which came in massively handy. We used it everyday to get to and from restaurants, tourist spots and to go shopping. We used the car two or three times. Yes the access to the road is a challenge, and yes we saw snakes too, but there are snakes in Italy, just as there are in many other countries. It is a shame that the previous reviewer went to the Villa D'Este by car, as it is much more fun to get a water taxi or ferry, or hire your own boat and zoom across the lake as if you are in a James Bond film! I wouldn't consider this villa without a boat, its just not practical, unless you want to spend all your time by the pool. To summarise, we had an unforgettable holiday at Villa Chez Nous, but it is not for the faint hearted. It is essentially a family villa for relaxing and enjoying the lake from the lake - not a base for driving excursions. The owner Andrea was super helpful and picked us up from Pognana Lario and took our luggage to the villa for us, so we didn't have to carry it down the steps. We would definitely go again, I would just try to haggle harder on the 300 euro cleaning fee that you get charged by the agent - that was the only annoyance for me.

“Prime location on the lake - stunning views and so much more...”

Reviewed 7 Sep 2013

We have just returned from a wonderful 10 day stay at Villa Chez Nous in Lake Como. The position of the property directly on the lake was stunning - a view that took your breath away each morning. Of course, it should be noted that to access the property there are a lot of steps but this is something you should expect with a direct lakeside property - you have to get from the road to lake level somehow!! We would strongly recommend hiring a boat for the duration of your holiday as we did - the car stayed in the garage from day 1 to our leaving date. We wish to thank everyone at Lake Como Homes; especially Harold, Fabio, Andrea, etc for an unforgettable holiday - they couldn't have done more for us during our stay.

“280 steps and a whole lot more....you won't like.”

Reviewed 27 Jul 2013

Below you will read a response, asking us for our "wonderful thoughts and memories" I wrote to the company that rented us this villa. All of this is true and not intended to be mean spirited in any way. All of what you will read was our experience. To the "happyholidayhomes.net" Team, We have been home almost a week and we have been talking about our experience. I am going to be honest and share with you our opinion of your property. The visual location of the villa of course is beautiful. But. after that we really did not enjoy the property…at all. Frankly, the steps down to the villa made for a very difficult two weeks. (and we are not elderly…at all) and with luggage... it was horrible. We read about the steps in your description but your description does not convey how difficult getting down to the villa and back up to the car really is, particularly the lower area of the steps. There are no steps in a major lower section (it was like hiking in the woods) and... it was very dangerous at night. Having to take a flashlight every time didn't even begin to light the path in a way that was safe at all. Also, when you are dressed in a suit and nice shoes and our female friend in a lovely dress and heels to go out for a dinner at Villa d'este… and then have to go up and down those steps, made it such that we really didn't want to go out so much. How do you think we felt about this for two weeks in Lake Como? You also need to know in the daytime going up and down the stairs we ran into snakes on the path four times! Right in front of us. I am terrified of snakes and I don't know too many people who aren't. Do you actually think we were even thinking we would be faced with dealing with snakes? You also need to know when we arrived the water filter did not work, lights weren't working and the drain in the sink was backed up. Your company took care of this but these issues should not have occurred. Also, the master bedroom bed was not comfortable and hardly what I would call a bed at all. On the second night the bed fell apart right underneath us and we had to get down on our hands and knees to put wooden pieces in place that "support" the flimsy springs of the bed. A guest should never have to be put in a position to fix a bed. To have wooden supports not attached to those springs that were just not comfortable….well this was hardly what I would even call a nice bed, particularly for what we paid for this property. I cannot believe we even had to deal with a bed like this at all. Considering the steps with no lights, the snakes….this property is not safe at all and considering the master bedroom bed, I certainly would never suggest anyone to come to this property, particularly if they have children. Imagine, taking children down those steps after dinner at night in the dark or almost stepping on a snake? We were so excited to come to Lake Como for two weeks and this property was just not at all what you describe or what we expected. You asked if you could use any part of our comments. I ask that you not print any of this letter. I realize you would not want to print any of this except for the location of the villa and that we said "it is beautiful" but you do not have my permission to use that statement. I will be posting our opinion on Trip Advisor and on other websites because we feel people need to know that this is not a great or safe villa/property, again particularly considering what you charge. I am sorry we do not have any wonderful thoughts and memories but this villa and it's price made for a very disappointing vacation. Actually...very disappointing, doesn't begin to describe how we feel.

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