Villa Marisa

The view of the lake and surrounding area is spectacular. You can see Malpensa Airport and Milan with the binoculars that are available. The drive up to it was a bit harrowing and took a while. If Stresa or Arona was your main point of being there you might want to be closer. The Lake room where we stayed is great. Large. Many windows so it is light. The bathroom is very large, has a window that overlooks the garden and the shower is great. It has a TV, fan and AC. The Secret Room where our friends stayed also looks out on the lake but is smaller, darker, smaller bathroom with a slight incline to get into it. They were not as happy as we were. The Garden Room obviously looks out on the garden not the lake but has a nice bathroom. There is a kitchen available for the use of the guests in all three rooms. Breakfast is left out in baskets for each room and is served on a lovely porch viwing the lake that runs along the two bedrooms and the kitchen. The grounds are very nice with a small outdoor pool. The property has a gate at the top by the road so is quite secure. Richard, the owner, was pleasant and helpful although his English seemed quite limited.

The breakfast as I said above is a basket for each room. There are two croissants, 2 ham and cheese sandwichs on white bread, more white breat (toaster available), small jam and butter, 2 yogurts, limited granola and blueberries, two hard boiled eggs, and two twinkie-like cakes in plastic. You make your own coffee which comes out in small amounts so that you need three refills for your breakfast. The windows of the rooms look out on the lake thru the porch so there is no privacy in the morning or evening and you need to keep the shade down. The shade works by pulling a strap on the right side.

The view of Lake Maggiore from the terrace was beautiful.

Villa Marisa bills itself as a B&B. We have been to many B&B's and this was not your typical B&B. Instead of a breakfast room where the guests can have a chance to meet one another, breakfast was in a basket left for us each morning on the terrace. The B&B has three rooms and they all share a common kitchen area. You do not find that in a typical B&B. Richard greeted us when we arrived but otherwise there was very little interaction with him. The place lacked the "personal touch" and warmth that we usually find at B&B's.

Wonderful views across lake Maggiorre from 2 of 3 rooms, and particularly great whilst enjoying breakfast from the balcony. Nice Breakfast basket and kitchen facilities if you want to sort yourself a meal, but we headed into Arona which has a great selection of lakeside restaurants. Some local restaurants but quiet area and we did not try these. Small but nice pool with lake views, BBQ and pizza oven and sun beds. Friendly and helpful welcome.

No complaints - all good.

Loved the view, very helpful host, pet friendly and peaceful.

Lake-Side war perfetto