Lake Como: Best Time to Go and How Far in Advance to Book a Luxury Villa Rental?

Why to Rethink Your Expectations?

The market for luxury villas is distinctly different from that of hotels. Unlike hotels, where you can easily switch to another option if one is fully booked, the availability of villas is often limited and tailored to specific client needs. It is essential to manage your expectations by understanding current trends and market realities.

For example, villa rentals in Apulia are surrounded by olive groves and drystone walls typical of the Mediterranean countryside. This means that a car is a necessity, as the properties are not within walking distance of many places of interest. The region experiences very hot summers, and beaches and restaurants can become extremely crowded in July and August. Therefore, air conditioning is essential, and a concierge service to assist with pre-booking your restaurants, transfers, and boat tours is invaluable.

Similarly, if you plan to work remotely and require reliable Wi-Fi, locations like the Caribbean paradise of Anguilla might be problematic in the wrong season. Being an island, weather conditions can disrupt electricity and Wi-Fi services. Accessibility needs must also be considered. For example, the Amalfi Coast offers breathtaking views, with mountains cascading into the sea. However, this beautiful environment also means that there are many steps to navigate, which can be challenging for young children, and disabled or elderly travellers.

Top Tip:

When booking a luxury villa, it is crucial to consider the value and impact of additional services that can significantly enhance your holiday experience and to book these as early as possible.

Additional services, which may include private chefs, guided tours, or wellness packages, can sometimes cost as much as the villa rental itself. High-end villas often come with a range of these amenities included, offering convenience and luxury right from the start. However, more affordable villas can still provide memorable experiences by allowing guests to choose from a menu of optional services tailored to their preferences.

As you plan your stay, think carefully about the types of experiences you want to enjoy. Do you prefer a seamless experience with everything included, or do you enjoy the flexibility of customising your stay by selecting specific services?

Booking extra services early is advisable since their availability and cost can fluctuate, influenced by seasonal trends and changes in demand. By considering these factors ahead of time, you can ensure a more personalised and satisfying villa rental experience.

Why Does Our Expertise Matter?

We are always delighted to share our passion and expertise with our clients and suggest luxury villas that align with their desires. We encourage our clients to share as many details as they can about their group and their holiday wishes and to remain open-minded about our recommendations. We can access many more properties than the ones showcased on our website, and our sales team has extensive experience providing a curated selection of options for a perfect stay.

One notable example of our commitment to outstanding service is planning Kim Kardashian’s trip to Costa Rica with her family. We were thrilled to be chosen as their travel partner and worked hard to meet every request with care. We took the time to understand their wishes and preferences, ensuring that their stay was as enjoyable as possible.

To show you how we handle enquiries with great attention, we’ve put together a case study that we think will be relevant to your situation.

Case Study: Lake Como Family Holiday

Lake Como (Lago di Como), a sparkling treasure nestled in the Italian Alps, enchants visitors with its turquoise waters and lush green hills. The charming towns, like Bellagio and Varenna, are filled with cobblestone streets, historic villas, and beautiful gardens. Among the most popular choices for our clients, Villa Sola Cabiati is a standout favourite. This luxury villa, once the summer home of the Serbelloni Dukes, dates back to the 1500s, and was expanded in the 1700s with elegant wings and baroque details. Still owned by the original family, it now includes a museum on the top floors and has hosted many famous guests.

La Casinella is another top choice, located on the romantic western side of the lake. With its sprawling 30,000 square metres of gardens, and sharing the exclusive Punto di Lavedo with the nearby Villa Balbianello, it’s a symbol of luxury and privacy.

Other options include, Villa Bonomi, a secluded luxury retreat, perfect for those seeking privacy, and Villa Altrove, which features a heated swimming pool, extensive gardens, and sleek interiors. Villa Musa, known for its stylish design and panoramic views, completes our list of extraordinary properties.

During the summer months, Lake Como is a coveted destination for families, celebrities, and international tourists seeking both relaxation and adventure in this idyllic setting.

Our Client Request

We received a request from a family from the United Kingdom, a lively and close-knit group of 12, who reached out to us with a specific vision for their summer getaway. They wanted to stay for seven nights to celebrate a milestone anniversary with a multi-generational family gathering. The group included the matriarch and patriarch, their children, spouses, and several grandchildren.

After receiving our newsletter featuring Villa Rocco Peduzzi—a beautifully restored 19th-century villa with sweeping lake views—they were excited about the possibility of staying there. Unfortunately, their enquiry came just five weeks before their desired travel dates, which is considered quite late for such a sought-after destination.

The Challenges

Securing accommodations for a large family at Lake Como during peak season presents several challenges:

• High demand, limited availability: Lake Como’s allure draws visitors from around the globe. Many people find that the best time to go to Lake Como is the peak season, in the months of July, August, and September. However, to be able to book one of the luxurious villas in Lake Como for this period you need to often book as far as a year in advance.
• Limited options: Finding a villa rental that fits the needs of a multi-generational family—including child-friendly amenities, accessibility for elderly guests, and sufficient space for everyone—can be challenging, particularly with time constraints.

Our Proposed Solution

Given the circumstances, we proposed Lake Garda as an ideal alternative. Here is how Lake Garda met the family’s needs:

• Exceptional luxury villas: To enhance the family’s holiday experience, we recommended Villa Caratti, a stunning lakeside villa on Lake Garda. The luxury villa offered nine spacious bedrooms, a private pool overlooking the lake, and a large terrace, ideal for family dinners and celebrations. The villa’s location provided easy access to local attractions and activities suitable for all ages. We also suggested a private boat rental to explore the lake’s charming towns and a guided tour through the nearby wine regions to sample some of the local vintages.
  
  By recommending Lake Garda, we provided the client with a viable alternative that aligned with their travel timeframe and budget. Lake Garda’s appealing features and better availability make it an excellent choice for family gatherings, ensuring that the client can still enjoy a memorable holiday experience without the challenges associated with last-minute bookings at Lake Como.

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• Similar charm and beauty: Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, rivals Lake Como in natural beauty. It boasts crystal-clear waters, charming towns like Sirmione and Limone sul Garda, and a backdrop of rolling hills and vineyards. The lake’s serene ambience and picturesque views offer a similar appeal to Lake Como.
• Increased availability: Unlike Lake Como, Lake Garda usually has a wide range of accommodations available, even closer to peak season. This includes grand villas, lakeside resorts, and spacious holiday homes that can comfortably house large groups.
• Competitive rates: Our biggest strength is our great relationship with the owners that we represent. This guarantees that we can offer the best prices available on the market.
• Family-friendly features: Lake Garda is known for its family-friendly atmosphere. The region offers numerous activities for children, including water and amusement parks like Gardaland, as well as outdoor adventures like hiking and cycling. Additionally, the region’s accommodations often cater to families with child-friendly amenities such as swimming pools, large gardens, and games rooms.

Guide: How far in advance should I book a luxury villa?

For highly sought-after spots like the Amalfi Coast, Mallorca, and Tuscany, you’ll need to embrace your inner early bird when it comes to booking a luxury villa. Aim for 6-7 months ahead to ensure you have the full range of villa rental options available. Waiting until the last minute can lead to limited choices.

Destinations like Costa Rica and Anguilla require even more advance planning—think about a year ahead for the best availability. These locations are particularly competitive, so securing your spot early is crucial.

Remember, the early booker secures the villa! Start dreaming, start planning, and get ready to enjoy your luxury escape. Your ideal home-away-from-home is out there—you just need to know when to strike!

Full Guide

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