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SWISS LUXURY TRAVEL BLOG
Villa Orselina , Locarno
Il dolce far niente ... Pleasant idleness...
The beautiful Villa Orselina, a five-star boutique hotel, stands on the hillside above Locarno just next to the stunning church of Madonna del Sasso. It commands panoramic views over Locarno and Lake Maggiore and is an ideal destination if you are looking for a quiet place to retreat to as its motto “il dolce far niente” suggests…. Literally translated, it means the pleasure of not doing anything.
The style throughout reminds you of a light and breezy Mediterranean villa with its terra-cotta terraces and white decor. The rooms are all decorated in clean, crisp shades of cream and white. Of the 28 rooms on offer, 15 have fantastic private balconies with comfy sun beds. The rooms are all spacious and the larger suites feel like a private apartment.
I was lucky enough to be given a very spacious panoramic suite with its own kitchenette and an amazing view. It had a lovely, bright living area with a dining area and a comfy sofa. I particularly enjoyed the spacious balcony with its two sun beds, perfect for a prolonged nightcap whilst enjoying the panoramic view.
The suite had a beautiful marble bathroom with a bathtub and a spacious walk-in shower. The bathroom was full of nice little touches including a lovely range of Molton Brown amenities, a jar of bath salts, and a water proof pillow to relax your head on whilst having a bath. But what really stood out were the twinkly Swarovski crystals with led lights embedded in the ceiling giving the bathroom an extra sparkle!
I will admit, I did not try the restaurant, but it does have a superb terrace with an incredible view on the lake and the mountains rising beyond; this is also where breakfast is served making the start to your day really special. The restaurant would be a perfect place for a romantic, quiet meal. The hotel also boasts a really beautiful wine cellar where wine tastings can be organized.
The Villa has a surprisingly large spa for a boutique hotel, with six light and airy treatment rooms (yes, with actual day light!), it offers two different types of steam rooms, a sauna, a small indoor pool and a well-equipped but compact gym with gorgeous views on the gardens and a tennis court. As with the Villa's bathrooms, the spa is filled with details making it very special. And yes, I did indulge in a treatment, a back and shoulder massage. My therapist was excellent. She was very attentive to my needs and clearly very experienced.
The outdoor spaces are just as beautiful with manicured lawns and a big 20-meter outdoor pool perfect for doing laps. As a keen swimmer, a decent pool is always something I really appreciate in a hotel. Alongside the pool is a covered pergola where lunch is served in the summer. And in case you hadn't guessed, yes, once again the pool area offers fabulous views over Lake Maggiore making it the perfect place to relax.
For me the stand out feature of this hotel, besides its light, breezy interior, are the exceptional panoramic views. From your room you can listen to the church bells of the Madonna del Sasso ring on the hour reminding you that you are staying in a lovely, magical place whilst gazing out at Lake Maggiore!
8th June 2017
For more information check out the hotel's website here.