If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, the road to paradise - the last part, anyway - is unpaved. Paradise in this case being, as you guessed, these beautiful house rentals high above Lake Garda’s eastern shore, set down a steep lane amongst idyllic terraced gardens. Owners Norbert and Hildegard Hofer, from the German speaking region of Alto Adige, took early retirement here 20 years ago, completely rebuilding the ruined stone house (where they now live); then adding a 6-bedroom traditionally-styled villa in 2012, and a more contemporary 3-bedroom villa in 2022. Both use Passivhaus eco-construction – Norbert’s specialty – with timber frames hidden beneath reclaimed tiles and stone (in the former), or a living roof and floor-to-ceiling windows (in the latter).
You won't want for comfort here. There are indoor and outdoor living spaces, blissful beds (with blissful views), high-spec bathrooms, underfloor heating, plus private pools and saunas. But what took my breath away were the gardens, laden with olive trees, flowering shrubs, wildlife ponds and exotic fruit such as the limquat (half lime, half cumquat) - another of Nortbert's passions. It's peaceful and seductive: dragonflies and butterflies flit amongst the blossoms, and the only sounds are birdsong and rustling leaves. Yet it's only 10 mins' drive - or a shady half-hour cobbled trail - down to the bustling lakeside beaches, restaurants and shops of Castelletto; a little further to the ridiculously pretty town of Malcesine, with its watersports and cable car up Monte Baldo. There's more to explore, but you probably won't manage. Staying put here is far too tempting.
Castelletto Villas
Castelletto di Brenzone, Italian Lakes & Verona, Italy
Highs
- Each house has its own private pool, sauna and outdoor spaces, including dining and lounging terraces
- The views are, quite simply, to die for
- There's masses of space, indoors and out; you will barely notice your neighbours
- Norbert and Hildegard are on hand for local tips, from hikes to restaurants and private chefs
- Daughter Maibrit handles everything pre-arrival with efficiency and excellent English
Lows
- The access drive is steep and partly unpaved: a 4WD or SUV is strongly recommended
- Ca Stella's pools is smallish (5m long), and Castelletto's is natural pond-style (which we liked)
- It's a bit of a pain driving 5km down to the lake for swims and food, but it's a price well worth paying for such seclusion and exclusivity
- Note the 5- to 7-night minimum stay (but arrival days are flexible)
Best time to go
Our top tips
Norbert and Hildegard will happily share their latest restaurant tips, but it's good to know that the village of Castelletto (7km away) currently has 3 excellent eateries: Il Pescatore (for fish), Alla Fassa (more refined cuisine) or Da Umberto (for fish, pasta and pizzas). Or you can hire Umberto himself - an ebullient, trilingual chap - to cook something special for you in the villa. Both kitchens are very well equipped: two fridges (and a wine cooler), ice machine, and good utensils (sharp knives, grater, handheld mixer etc).
- Luxury Villas
- 2 villas for 6-12
- Self-catering; restaurants 5km
- All ages welcome
- Closed: Nov/Jan to March
- Outdoor Pool
- Sauna
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Midweek cleaning
Villa Castelletto (6br)
With 6 bedrooms (5 doubles and 1 twin) and masses of outdoor space, this larger villa is perfect for a group of 6-14 friends or an extended family, with the chance for quiet times too.
With its sun-bleached roof tiles and stone-faced walls, it looks as if it has always been here; but in fact it was built in 2012, by Norbert's construction company, on top of a timber frame using passivhaus technology. Timber features largely in the open-plan living-dining area and bedrooms, some of which are tucked cosily beneath the eaves. It feels like a cross between an Alpine chalet and a chic Italian B&B, in the best of both ways. As for the five bathrooms, they feel more Germanic, with underfloor heating, pristine tiling and big glass wetrooms (plus a couple of tubs). The bedrooms have A/C, which is a boon in these warmer summers.
Other features we liked include the big corian-topped kitchen island, the separate outdoor kitchen with gas BBQ, the swing-bench and ping-pong table in front, and the secluded rear terrace with its hot tub. But most of all, the huge gardens with their fruit trees, PYO herb bushes, the 8-metre lily-filled swimming pond, the wood-fired sauna, and enough sitting nooks and hammocks for everyone to relax in peace.
Ca Stella (3br)
This smaller villa, with 3 bedrooms (plus a 4th snug/twin room) and a more contemporary eco vibe, works perfectly for a three-gen family holiday, or a larger family of 5+.
It was built in 2022 and designed to blend into the terraced mountainside, thanks to a living green roof and a sitting-dining terrace whose outline follows the natural contour. The eco technology is more evident here, with underfloor heating and cooling, a photovoltaic power system, and triple-glazed picture windows which slide open onto the lake-facing terrace.
Decor is clean and light, with a simple minimalist feel in the bedrooms (all doubles, all ensuite). Expect sleek pristine bathrooms with handmade soaps, fluffy robes and towels, hairdryers and one tub.
Stella's infinity pool is smaller (5x3m) and closer to the house, so you can keep an eye on little ones. A pool fence can also be set up, if needed. We can imagine spending long afternoons here, on the sunloungers or giant beanbags, watching spectacular sunsets over the lake and serrated mountain silhouettes.
Activities
- Head down to the lake for swimming, sailing, wind- and kite-surfing: Castelletto is the closest spot, 10 mins by car or 20 on foot (but allow 40 mins back up!)
- From Castelletto, ferries ply across the waters to Riva, Salo and lovely Limone; some also stop at the dramatic, cliff-backed hamlet of Campione, with its old cotton mills
- Or Maibrit can pre-book a private boat tour for you: she knows the best companies and the quietest spots to stop and swim
- Insta-worthy Malcesine (15km) has all manner of restaurants and watersports, plus a medieval castle and a swanky "aerial tramway" up Monte Baldo, whose 2218m summit is a 4-hour round hike
- Ask Norbert about the gentler hike to the ghost village of Campo, or the charming little funivia from Prada to Baldo's subalpine flower meadows
- Explore the scattered hamlets of Brenzone (16 of them), each with its own charm; check out their weekly markets and summer music festivals
- Back at the villas, yoga and massage can be arranged on the terrace, or fire up the wood-fired sauna (each house has one) or the hot-tub (Castelletto only)
Kids
Children of all ages are welcome in both houses, and we think outdoorsy families with school-age kids (or babes in arms) will love it here - though the terraced gardens are not so great for little ones to roam freely.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
The smaller house (Ca Stella) is perfect for a large family or a three-gen holiday; the bigger one (Villa Castelletto) works well for 2-3 families travelling together. Both houses can be stocked with books and toys, and there's a ping-pong table in Castelletto.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
- Baby cots, high chairs & potty available at no extra cost, but must be requested in advance
- Pool fence available on request for Ca' Stella infinity pool
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities nearby:
- Swimming, sailing, SUP and other watersports on Lake Garda (10+ mins drive)
- Jungle Adventure Park (15 mins' drive) with zipwires and aerial climbing courses for all ages
- Gardaland theme park (45 mins) with roller-coasters and water rides (busy in summer; pre-book your rides online)
- Children's Museum in Verona (50 mins)
- MUSE Science Museum in Trento (1hr 10mins) for rainy days
Families Should Know:
Gardens have unprotected drops and steps with no railings. Villa Castelletto has an unfenced natural pool.
Distances:
- Shops: 7km (Castelletto di Brenzone)
- Lake beach: 5km
- Hospital: 15km (Malcesine)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The villas are set on a mountainside overlooking Lake Garda, above the village of Castelletto di Brenzone on its eastern shores.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Verona (47km), which has a growing number of connections from cities across Europe. Otherwise, try Bergamo (130km), Venice (170km), Milan Linate (180km) or Milan Malpensa (220km).
From the Airport
A car is essential - see below.
By Train:
The nearest station is Verona, which is served by regular trains from Milan, Venice and other Italian cities. Once there, you’ll need to hire a car for the final leg of the journey.
By Car:
We strongly recommend hiring a 4WD or SUV. See our car rental recommendations. Parking is available at the villas.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Verona 47.0 km VRN
- Venice 169.0 km VCE
Other:
- Beach 5.0 km
- Shops 7.0 km
- Restaurant 7.0 km
Need flights?
We recommend Skyscanner which compares all airlines in one easy step