Villa Grel on the hillside above Lake Como

Villa Grel

A private retreat above Lake Como
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The Villa

Three hundred and fifty square metres of calm, held between olive trees and open water.

Villa Grel stands on the hillside at Cardina, one of the quiet, gated corners above Como. Three floors, four bedrooms, and terraces where the lake fills the whole horizon.

Room for ten around the garden table, and stillness enough for two on the balcony at dawn. Cars in the garage, dogs on the lawn, and the city a short drive down the hill.

10
Guests
4
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
350
Square metres
3
Floors
Lake views
Bedroom opening onto a balcony over Lake Como The lake room
The Setting

One quiet hillside, the whole lake within reach.

Villa Grel Como Cernobbio Moltrasio Brunate Bellagio Menaggio Varenna Lugano
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Villa Grel

Cardina, above Como

Your home on the hillside above Como — private, green and framed by olive trees, yet only minutes from the water. Tap a marker to see how close the lake's most beautiful places really are.

Villa Grel
Cardina
Como
~15 min
Cernobbio
~15 min
Moltrasio
~20 min
Brunate
~15 min + funicular
Bellagio
~50 min / ferry
Varenna
~1 hr / ferry
Menaggio
~50 min
Lugano · CH
~40 min

Travel times are approximate, from Villa Grel by car unless noted. Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio are also connected by scenic ferry.

Elmo and Greta, your hosts at Villa Grel Elmo & Greta · at Villa Grel
Meet your hosts

We're Elmo & Greta.

We're Guglielmo — Elmo to most — and Greta, and we're so glad you're thinking of staying at Villa Grel on Lake Como.

We live in Geneva for now, but our hearts have always belonged to this corner of the lake. Villa Grel is far more than a holiday home to us: it's the place where we dream of building our family life one day. Until then, it's our joy to share it with families and friends from around the world, who make memories of their own here.

For me, Elmo, the lake has always been home. I grew up here, spent countless hours rowing these waters with Canottieri Moltrasio, and went to school in Cernobbio, just minutes from the villa. Every path and hidden corner holds a memory.

Greta grew up in Vimercate, near Monza, and studied Architecture in Mendrisio, just across the Swiss border — where we met six years ago. Her eye for beautiful spaces shaped many of the details you'll find throughout the house.

We were married at the start of this summer, and we hope that one day Villa Grel will become our permanent home. Until then, it's our pleasure to welcome guests who will love it as much as we do. Whether you come to relax, to celebrate with friends, or to discover Lake Como, we hope it feels less like a rental and more like a home. We can't wait to welcome you.

Elmo & Greta
In their words

Rated 9.0 by recent guests.

A wonderful position over the lake — generous space inside and out, and three bedrooms with an extraordinary view.
★★★★★
Guest review · Booking.com
Perfect for ten without ever feeling crowded. A lovely big garden and a great view.
★★★★★
Guest review · Airbnb
Even bigger than the photos. Fully equipped, spotless, and the team were quick and helpful throughout.
★★★★★
Guest review · Airbnb
The garden table set for dinner
Your dates, the whole villa

Come and stay a while.

Check live availability and reserve your dates for the whole villa through our management team.

Book now
The Journal

Notes from the hill above Como — updated weekly