Vicarage turned boutique hotel on the rugged shore of Lake Como
Casa Olea Hotel / Cremia / Lago di Como / Lombardy / Italy
Lake Como in the northern part of Italy is one of the country’s most popular places to visit. And it is ridiculously easy to understand why. The steep mountains that meet the clear lake water gives it a fjord like appearance, like being transported to Norwegian coast. Add numerous little villages hugging the shoreline, one cuter than the next. Most visitors tend to stay in the southern region, where you find classic destinations like Bellagio, Lecco and Como, but the further north you travel, the calmer and less busy it gets. And it is here, in the rugged north where you’ll find this little boutique hotel, Casa Olea.
Casa Olea, which means the house of the olive trees, is an old vicarage that has been turned into a 13-key hotel. The name makes full sense considering it is surrounded by olive trees, on a gentle slope leaning towards the lake. The elegant and somewhat austere stone building dates back to the 19th century and has received a gentle make over to meet the expectations of the modern traveller. Like me. :-)
As soon as you enter the hotel (after parking in the underground car park and taking the elevator up) you are confronted by the building’s past. In the centre of the lobby there is massive nevera, a 5 meter deep cavity that used to be filled with snow in the winter to preserve food throughout the year. Basically an old-school fridge.
The inside, although designed with the same kind of stone wall as the outside, has a more gentle expressions, softened up by wood floors, polished concrete, pinewood beams and vaulted ceilings. The softness is enhanced upon entering the room, where rendered walls are combined with wrinkly bed linen, soft blankets and statement lamps. And then there is the view. From my room there was uninterrupted views of the lake and the mountains which in all honesty is the real superstar.
Welcome to Casa Olea! Behind the massive iron gate is an underground car park.
Behind the massive wrought iron gate, there is an underground car park, from where there is an elevator up to the hotel. And all around the hotel there are olive trees so the hotel lives up to its name, Casa Olea.
The “lobby” is built around an old nevera, a kind of old school fridge.
My room was located on the top floor.
The color scheme was all neutral tones, grey and beige.
I really appreciate hotel rooms where there are lamps so you can create the right mood.
The view from my room was spectacular.
Some artisan pottery helps to soften the somewhat austere look of the stone walls.
Here and there, there are some splashes of color to soften up the austere stone walls.
The pool area, located on top of the car park.
My favorite place, to sit in this chair watching the sun set over the lake.
Morning has broken in Lake Como.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are looking for a small boutique hotel, right by the lake. If your thing is discreet design with muted hues and views of lake and mountains, you will not be disappointed staying at Casa Olea.
My favorite thing about this place…
…to stay this close to water. And not just any water, world renowned Lake Como, surrounded by mountains and dotted with the cutest little villages. To have this view from your room and to be able to pop down for a dip in the lake is something special.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to take the walking path along the lake into the neighboring village of Calozzo. It snakes along the waterfront, where you’ll pass some fantastic houses and you will get some great views of the lake.
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