Finding a private estate on Lake Como can feel like a puzzle. This guide walks you through each decision, from defining your travel purpose to preparing for a smooth arrival. Follow the steps and you will have a clear path to the perfect villa rental.
Table of Contents
- Step 1: Clarify Your Travel Goals
- Step 2: Map the Lake Como Area and Choose a Base
- Step 3: Compare Villa Options , Including Villino Rubini
- Step 4: Secure Your Booking and Plan Arrival Logistics
- Step 5: Prepare for Your Stay and Make the Most of the Estate
Step 1: Clarify Your Travel Goals
Start by asking what you want from the trip. Are you looking for a romantic retreat, a family gathering, a corporate off-site, or a celebration? Each purpose shapes the size of the group, the need for private spaces, and the type of services you will value.
For a quiet weekend, a small number of rooms and a garden for gentle walks may be enough. For a wedding, you will need a venue that can host a dinner for about one hundred guests in the open-air garden and provide overnight rooms for close family. For a leadership retreat, a full-service estate with a pool, spa, and gym allows daily wellness sessions without leaving the grounds.
Write down the top three priorities for your group. This short list will act as a filter when you compare properties. It also helps you communicate clearly with the host, ensuring that the estate can meet your expectations.
When you have a clear purpose, you can move to the next step with confidence. Villino Rubini: Luxury Villa & Wedding Venue Lake Como, Italy offers ten rooms across three historic buildings, making it suitable for families, couples, and small corporate groups alike.
Key Takeaway: Define the trip’s main purpose early; it will guide every later decision.
Step 2: Map the Lake Como Area and Choose a Base
Lake Como stretches in an inverted Y shape and is surrounded by several charming villages. The main entry points are Como city, Lecco, and the southern branch that leads to Bellagio. From these hubs you can reach hillside villages such as Brunate by train, bus, or the historic funicular that has been operating since 1894.
Brunate sits above the lake and offers a slower pace, narrow cobblestone streets, and easy access to the funicular for a quick ride down to Como. The village is a natural base for exploring the lake’s towns, hiking the Via dei Monti Lariani, or taking a boat to Bellagio. Wikipedia notes that the lake is about 50 km north of Milan, making it reachable within an hour by car or train.
Consider how you will travel during your stay. If you prefer public transport, plan to use the ferries that connect Como, Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. If you want flexibility, a rental car can reach remote villages, though narrow roads can be challenging in peak season.
Choosing Brunate as your base means you are close to the estate while still enjoying the tranquility of the hills. The private shuttle to the funicular included with Villino Rubini makes the daily commute effortless.
Step 3: Compare Villa Options , Including Villino Rubini
When you look at the market, you will find many villas that promise private pools, historic charm, and extensive gardens. However, a recent analysis of twelve premier Lake Como villas showed that only three (25%) list a pool, two (17%) list a spa, and two (17%) list a gym. Villino Rubini is the only estate that combines all three amenities while accommodating up to nineteen guests.
25%of surveyed villas have a pool
Beyond the amenity set, consider the historic style. Villino Rubini was built in 1892 in the Art Nouveau tradition and retains original ceiling mouldings and period flooring. This level of authenticity is rare; many listings simply label the style without detailed documentation.
The estate spreads across four acres of beech forest, offering a heated salt-water pool, a spa, sauna, gym, and a studio. Ten rooms are distributed among the main Villa, a Dependance, and an Orangerie, providing flexibility for different guest groupings. The garden can host up to one hundred guests for an outdoor dinner under a tent, a scale that many larger villas cannot match without compromising intimacy.
In contrast, other villas may have larger guest capacities but lack the full wellness suite or the historic preservation that makes Villino Rubini stand out for cultural enthusiasts.
After reviewing the options, weigh the following criteria: amenity completeness, historic authenticity, guest capacity, and outdoor event capability. Villino Rubini scores highly on all four, making it a strong candidate for most travel purposes.
Pro Tip: Ask the host for a virtual walk-through of the grounds before you sign the contract. Seeing the layout helps you plan activities and room assignments.
Step 4: Secure Your Booking and Plan Arrival Logistics
Once you have chosen Villino Rubini, the next phase is the reservation. The estate works on a request-based system; rates are provided on a case-by-case basis. Provide the dates, number of guests, and preferred rental mode (full-property hire or individual rooms) in your inquiry.
After the quote is approved, a deposit is required to lock the dates. The remaining balance is typically due a month before arrival. Keep all correspondence in a dedicated folder so you can reference any special requests, such as dietary needs for the garden dinner or equipment for a corporate workshop.
Plan your arrival by checking the nearest airports. Milan Malpensa is about one hour away by car, while Milan Linate is roughly 1.5 hours distant. From the airport, a private transfer or rental car can bring you directly to Brunate. The estate includes a private shuttle that meets the funicular station, simplifying the final leg of the journey.
Do not forget to arrange travel insurance that covers high-value property rentals. Many insurers require a detailed itinerary, so having your booking confirmation at hand will smooth the process.
For more information about the rooms and services, visit the estate’s English page: Relais | Villino Rubini | Brunate.
Step 5: Prepare for Your Stay and Make the Most of the Estate
Before you set foot on the grounds, think about the daily rhythm you want. The villa offers a continental breakfast each morning, daily housekeeping, and a private shuttle to the funicular. Arrange any extra services, such as a private chef for a celebratory dinner or a yoga instructor for a wellness retreat.
Make a list of activities you would like to enjoy on site: a swim in the heated pool, a sauna session after a hike, a workout in the gym, or a studio session for a creative workshop. The estate’s staff can help schedule these experiences so they fit around your itinerary.
Explore the surrounding area as well. A short funicular ride brings you to Como’s historic centre, where you can visit the Duomo, wander the boutiques, or take a boat to Bellagio. The nearby cycling routes up the Brunate hill climb are popular with road cyclists seeking a challenging ascent.
Finally, pack appropriate attire for the varied climate. The hilltop location can be cooler than the lakeside towns, especially in the evenings, so a light jacket is advisable.
FAQ
What is the best time of year to book a Lake Como villa rental?
The best time is late spring or early autumn, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. You will also find more flexible pricing compared with the peak summer months.
How many guests can stay at Villino Rubini?
Villino Rubini can accommodate up to nineteen guests across ten rooms, making it ideal for families, small weddings, or corporate groups.
Is there a kitchen available for guests who want to cook?
Yes, the estate includes a fully equipped kitchen that can be used by guests staying the full property hire. Private chefs are also available upon request.
Can I host a wedding ceremony at Villino Rubini?
Yes, the garden can host a seated dinner for about one hundred guests under a tent, and the estate provides ceremony spaces and bridal suite preparation.
What transportation options are available from Milan airports?
Both Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate are within an hour’s drive. You can arrange a private transfer, rent a car, or take a train to Como and then a shuttle to Brunate.
Choosing the right villa makes the difference between a good holiday and an unforgettable experience. Villino Rubini combines historic charm, full-service wellness amenities, and flexible guest capacity, positioning it as the top pick for a Lake Como villa rental.
Next step: contact the estate through the online inquiry form, confirm your dates, and start planning the details of your stay.
Occasional stories from the estate, sent a few times a year at most.