CHIAVE DI VOLTA Lovely Guesthouse with Terrace

I loved the location.

The very echo-y shared kitchen was very noisy. Other guests would be cooking and making loud noises when we were trying to sleep (after 10pm)

The location

We had a very frustrating experience with this property. Despite completing online check-in hours in advance and updating the host about a slight change in our arrival time (just 15 minutes later than originally stated), we were left waiting outside the accommodation for two hours with no response from the host. We tried calling and messaging the number provided several times, but no one answered. Thankfully, another guest who was checking out gave us a different number, and only then were we able to get in touch with someone to share the lock code number to let ourselves in. The accommodation itself was a disappointment. It smelled very damp inside, and the bedding was also damp and uncomfortable. The bathroom was in poor condition with visible mould around the bathtub, and there was no shower curtain, so the entire floor became soaked after using the shower. I also booked the property expecting a private balcony, as shown in the listing photos, but it turned out to be a shared balcony on another floor with very limited views — you could just about see the lake if you stood on tiptoes over chimney pots. It definitely wasn’t a space to sit and relax. When I raised these issues with the host, including the damp bedding and misleading listing, the response was dismissive. No apology was offered, and I was unfairly blamed for not filling in forms “in time,” even though I had done so well before arrival. Overall, I would not recommend this property. The lack of communication, misleading listing, and poor cleanliness made for a very disappointing stay.

The location.

The check in was difficult.

It’s inside Varenna

The facilities of the guesthouse is quite outdated and lack of management. The toilet and bathroom was damn and cold. The reply from the guesthouse was very slow and not responsive.

The location is excellent. The shared kitchen was helpful too. The little terrace off the bedroom was a nice view

Only one pillow per person on the bed, which were very flat! The spare pillows in wardrobe did not have pillowcases on and also the wardrobes smelt very old and musty, I did not want to hang any clothes in. In first room we were in the bathroom door did not close. luckily I’ve been with my husband for 45 years so it didn’t matter if you know what I mean! Second room we were in the door in the shower wouldn’t shut and toilet seat was wobbly! The communication with host on the day was not good. They said they’d let me know if early check in would be available on the day but they didn’t and I ended up sending several messages and leaving voicemail. We ended up leaving our cases in a bar close by! Also there was a mix up with room keys so we didn’t get room we’d booked until the second night. On a positive note they did reimburse us for one night which was good.

The location was perfect

What i missed is a bottle of water when we arrived.

Cute guesthouse in an excellent location. Room was comfortable, shared kitchen was nice.

Difficult to find. Check-in was a horror show. All sorts of technical problems with the on-line check process. I sent passport photos 3 times. Check-in communications were very poor.. This got our stay off to a bad start.

Fantastic location! The heater control in the room and warm blankets.

Pillows too hard for us :(