Casa sull'Albero
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Casa sull'Albero · Malgrate, Italy
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Expert Review: Casa sull'Albero
Casa sull'Albero, Malgrate: A Serene Lake Como "Treehouse" Retreat
Casa sull'Albero in Malgrate, Italy, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently garners "superb" and "wonderful" ratings from guests, establishing itself as a highly-regarded boutique hotel on Lake Como. With an overall guest review score often reaching 9.0 or higher, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting a tranquil and luxurious escape with exceptional service.
Key Highlights
Guests are particularly enchanted by the hotel's stunning panoramic views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains, often described as "amazing" and "speechless". The modern, minimalist design, emphasizing natural wood and glass, creates a unique "treehouse" ambiance amidst a park of centuries-old trees. The tranquil atmosphere and the sense of being immersed in nature are frequently praised. Exceptional staff, a lovely outdoor pool, a well-maintained garden, and the unique "honesty kitchen" concept are also consistently highlighted as major draws. The availability of a rooftop bar with amazing views at a partnering hotel is also a significant plus for many visitors.
Room Quality
The hotel offers 12 minimalist-style rooms and suites, ranging from 20 to 35 square meters, with options for garden or lake views. Guests describe the rooms as very clean, comfortable, and beautifully designed. Features include modern cooling systems, underfloor heating, free Wi-Fi, and 32" satellite LCD TVs. High-quality bedding, blackout curtains, private bathrooms with free toiletries, hairdryers, and bathrobes contribute to a comfortable stay. While generally well-received, one guest did note an awkward room layout and a small shower that flooded despite a large bathroom.
Dining Experience
Breakfast at Casa sull'Albero is consistently praised as "outstanding," "delicious and copious," and "very well assorted". It is served in an "emotional space" with large windows overlooking the park, with the option to dine outdoors in the summer. The hotel features an "honesty kitchen," a self-serve area available all day with a selection of beverages, snacks, ready meals, and fruit, allowing guests freedom and privacy. While there is a restaurant, "Ristorante Da Giovannino," serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, its service is generally reserved only for guests. Note that the restaurants are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except during July and August.
Service & Staff
The service and staff at Casa sull'Albero receive exceptionally high ratings, with a staff score often reaching 9.6. Guests repeatedly commend the staff for being "very friendly and helpful," "amazing," "kind," "attentive," and "professional". Many appreciate the personalized touches, such as pre-arrival messages offering spa access and restaurant suggestions. The staff's ability to offer assistance and service when needed, while also ensuring guests' freedom and privacy, is a recurring positive theme.
Location & Accessibility
Located in Malgrate, Casa sull'Albero offers a beautiful and strategic location with stunning views over Lake Como, just a short walk or drive from Lecco. It's described as an "oasis of peace" immersed in greenery, yet conveniently situated. The hotel is less than a 10-minute drive from Golf Club Lecco and 100 meters from a bus stop with connections to Lecco and Como. Milan is also easily accessible, about 30 minutes by car or 40 minutes by train. The area is ideal for walks or runs by the lake, with good restaurants nearby.
Value & Pricing
While specific price ranges vary, reviews indicate a good to wonderful value for money, with a typical rating around 8.5. One example shows a price of €169 for a night, including taxes and fees. The overall experience of luxurious comfort, stunning views, and excellent service seems to justify the cost for most guests, especially considering its Michelin Key selection. Special prices are also available for business travelers.
Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor criticisms have been noted. One guest mentioned that the reality of their room layout and a tiny shower that flooded did not match online photos. Another Italian review mentioned their room was "a bit small" and the bathroom lacked a bidet. Additionally, the hotel's restaurants are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except during July and August, which might require guests to seek dining options elsewhere on those days.
Sources
Google Reviews
593 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Polina Zagumenova
I stayed at this hotel and unfortunately my experience was far below expectations. Pros: • Beautiful garden and pleasant surroundings. • Large panoramic windows. Cons: My main issues were with the service and the overall organization. • Breakfast was very disappointing: the space was tiny, there wasn’t enough food for all guests, and everyone had to prepare their own coffee, which created consta...
Response from the owner
Buongiorno Polina,<br>We always strive to offer a warm and attentive experience to all our guests, and we regret that you chose not to communicate to our staff during your stay. Had you reached out to...
Nir & Ronit cohen
Spotless and beautiful with amazing views. A quick walk to the other side of the lake leads to a lovely town center. The staff is very friendly and service-oriented, and the breakfast is fantastic.
Response from the owner
Dear Nir and Ronit Cohen,<br><br>Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kind and thoughtful words. It truly means a great deal to us to know that your stay at Casa sull'Albero was such a pos...
Angela Halksworth
Beautiful views across the lake to the mountains in this more natural end of the lake. The design and concept of this boutique hotel feels more like a villa hire, with staff to take care of you. The immediate access to the garden with view points to the lake and a glamorous roof top bar below the hotel via path from the hotel. The spa and restaurant in the hotel was great for our family. We a...
Response from the owner
Dear Angela,<br>we hope you are doing well! <br>Your review has painted a vivid picture of the delights Casa sull'Albero offers. It is wonderful to hear your family enjoyed the design, the concept of ...
Barbora Di Grandi
It c o u l d be a great place: the vision was fantastic but the execution was mediocre. The room was humid, the walls are marked with mold, sockets falling out of the walls, shower water running all over the bathroom, AC so loud it’s impossible to use it. The staff was incredible though: the receptionist - major in the history of arts - shared great recommendations. Hopefully the place will do s...
Response from the owner
Dear Barbora,<br>We are truly sorry to learn that your stay did not meet your expectations 100%. Please rest assured that your observations will be taken seriously and shared with our management team,...
Liz Withana
My room with a cement view listed as "garden view" was a box room with views of cement, air con unit and a large roof. Not relaxing at all. Very expensive and misleading when booking what you're actually getting with the room. When I asked management to discount me for providing a room with a couple of tree tops but mostly concrete and buildings, they declined to do so. My main issue is that the...
Response from the owner
Dear Liz,<br><br>We are truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations, especially regarding the view from your room. Your comments regarding our room descriptions are taken s...
zirui liu
We had a truly disappointing experience with your hotel. On the day of our planned stay, we couldn’t reach the hotel because the road was completely blocked due to construction. We immediately informed the hotel and requested a refund, but were flatly refused. What made it worse was the staff’s extremely rude and uncooperative attitude. The representative claimed they had “provided us with directi...
Response from the owner
Buongiorno Zirui,<br>We have already reported this review on Google.com.<br><br>We would like to kindly clarify that our hotel group includes two properties with more than 80 rooms, and during the per...
