INTRODUCING VILLA PONTI BELLAVISTA – A SUMPTUOUS NAUTICAL-INSPIRED MID-CENTURY VILLA PERCHED ABOVE LAKE COMO
Sitting high above the clouds and offering unrivalled views of the stunning Lake Como, Villa Ponti Bellavista is an indulgent holiday home being newly offered to the US market. Sleeping up to 14 guests and boasting wraparound vistas of the Lake and Grigna mountains, the Villa offers a secluded stay for multi-generational families or groups of friends.
The only mid-century villa on Lake Como, Villa Ponti Bellavista was designed by acclaimed Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. In a career spanning more than six decades, Ponti built over 100 buildings in Italy and worldwide, founded the pioneering Domus magazine in 1928 and designed the interiors of luxury transatlantic ships – experience which translated to a nautical look and feel to the villa. Expect curved living areas, a central spiral staircase, ship-like funnels emerging from the roof, a ship’s light by the front door, classic wood panelling in the entrance hall, and a living room like a ship’s observation deck, with panoramic arc of windows overlooking the lake.
The living room is perhaps the Villa’s most stunning room, located on the top floor and orientated to the sun. Here, the 11 picture windows offer panoramic views of Lake Como, allowing guests to follow the sun across the mountain tops and watch the reflection of the sunset on the Gringas mountains. Guests can relax on the original Formanova furniture, stir up a Negroni or aperitivo from the 1960s bar or, when the temperature cools, cosy up in the sunken Mad Men-style conversation lounge beside the huge belly fireplace – an echo of a ship’s curved stern.
The Villa is ideal for large groups with six bedrooms and five bathrooms across its two floors. Named after the towns and communes of Lake Como: Lecco, Bellagio, Varenna, Como, Civenna and Tremezzo, three of the bedrooms have lake views and all but one has direct access to the terrace or garden.
Outside, the grounds span an acre of lush woodlands and gardens. There are two large lakeside terraces for enjoying alfresco meals, boasting a 180 degree view of the Lecco arm of Lake Como. There is also a smaller, shady garden terrace outside the kitchen, facing the cedar forest garden, for breakfasts. Guests will enjoy use of the infinity edge swimming pool, with separate area perfect for children, a sauna with dressing room, hot tub and bocce court. The pristine grounds are also home to an organic vegetable, fruit and herb garden, to which guests may help themselves.
Villa Ponti Bellavista is just 15 minutes’ drive from the village of Bellagio, known as the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’, from where ferries criss-cross the lake. There are also walking trails from the Villa to the nearby village of Civenna, which offers a butcher/cheesery, supermarket, fruit shop, pasticceria and bars.
Price: a week’s self-catering at Villa Ponti Bellavista, sleeping 14, costs from €9,700 rising to €18,500 in high season. Weekly stays include: maid service (2hr/day), 4 complimentary massages, aperitivo and dinner on arrival. Additional services such as driver, additional massages and chef services can also be arranged. Guests can arrive by helicopter with a helipad five minutes’ walk from the Villa.
For more information on Villa Ponti Bellavista, visit www.villapontibellavista.com, or call +393283597173).
