Villa Raffo - Grandola ed Uniti

Villa Dexter is an important part of local history and has recently undergone some major renovations by its current owners to a very high standard. It is located on the edge of Cardano, the hamlet, part of the wider "Comune" of Grandola ed Uniti. The villa has several beautiful reception rooms of generous proportions and several comfortable double bedrooms.

The villa is situated in the peace and tranquillity of Cardano, a sleepy village in the hills above the lake but only a 5 minute drive or 25 minute walk from the charming lake front town of Menaggio.

For keen golfers, the stunning 18 hole, 70 par Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf club is a 5 minute drive away boasting glorious fairways nestled along the mountain valley above Menaggio. With its strong British connections the club house is worth a visit in itself be it for a celebratory drink after a round of golf or lunch or dinner at the stylish clubhouse restaurant. Check out the photos of the amazing fairways and Club House, the second oldest Golf Club in Italy, founded in 1906.

The area is well served with local food shops with fresh meat and fish, local cheeses, fruit and veg, a pharmacy, a cafe and at 10 minutes dirve there are larger supermarkets very well stocked with all you could need.

One enters the gates into a gravelled courtyard with ample parking for 4 cars. The area is very secure due to heavy wrought iron gates and high walls around the courtyard. Please note that the passageway to the villa is narrow, through which larger cars may not be able to access; if this is the case, there is parking close by.

The main entrance to Villa Dexter is stunning and has a large double hall which leads to double French doors and directly onto the terrace and the glorious garden with its English lawns.

Proceeding through the second part of the Hall, to the left is the extremely spacious drawing room with ample seating and a large and important fireplace. There are three French windows, all of which lead out directly onto the terrace and garden. To the right of the hall is the formal dining room, again with French doors leading out to the gardens comprising a Regency-style dining table and chairs which comfortably seats 12.

Beyond the Dining Room is the very large, beautiful and newly renovated kitchen. There is a large table with bench seating and stools. It is extremely well equipped and has a new hob and oven, dishwasher and everything else that you could need to prepare your Italian meals. Next door is the "guardaroba" or utility/laundry room, with large ironing table and board, washing machine and sink.

All ground floor front rooms open out onto the garden, where there is a patio area with garden furniture, table and chairs with enough space to accommodate everyone. The garden has lots of secret corners, stone tables and chairs where one can hide away in peace and quiet with a book.

The swimming pool is surrounded by a fenced area with gate (lockable with padlock and chain) and thus safe for children. There is a paved area for sunbathing with loungers. At the far end of the garden, down a gentle slope, is the tennis court complete with viewing terrace and a practice wall, should guests wish to practice their forehand or backhand against a cement wall! In the event of wet weather there is the games room on the ground floor with a table tennis table. It is also an ideal space to practice yoga and a wonderful room for children to play in.

The sweeping elegant staircase with handmade wrought iron and brass handrails leads to the first floor and to an ample landing area which in turn leads onto the two wings with the large bedrooms.

There are 6 double bedrooms, 5 with lovely garden views and 1 which overlooks the courtyard and up at the "Monte Crocione" mountain. A nursery room with a baby cot is also available and directly across the hall from one of the doubles. All double bedrooms can be made up as double beds (King size) or as twin-bedded rooms.

· The first bedroom is the Master Suite, the central room with en suite marble bathroom, a lovely balcony that overlooks the garden and is spacious and welcoming!

· The second bedroom is the "Blue Room" with windows that overlook the garden, bright and airy with ample wardrobe space. The bathroom for the Blue Room is just next door with basin, bidet WC and bathtub.

· The third bedroom is the "Yellow Room" with French windows overlooking the garden and ample wardrobe space. The bathroom for the Yellow Room is shared with the Blue Room but there is an additional bathroom with shower, close by.

· The "Nursery room" with a baby cot and child's bed is just across the landing from these two bedrooms.

· The fourth bedroom is the "Pink Room" located in the opposite wing, with a walk-in closet and French windows overlooking the garden.

· The fifth bedroom is the "Green Room", also overlooks the garden with ample wardrobe space. The Pink and Green Room share a large bathroom with basin, bidet, WC and bath.

· The sixth bedroom is the "Orange Room", located at the rear of the property and overlooks the main entrance and courtyard with an en-suite bathroom with WC, bidet sink and bath.
It is also possible to request the Gate House, a one bedroom apartment that can be used for a Nanny, a driver, older children or even a couple if the extra space is needed. This can be added into your booking as an extra.
Villa Dexter provides all one could wish for in catering for a party of up to 12 people. It would be ideal for a family reunion, a group attending a wedding locally, for a cookery group, for a yoga retreat, or for a party of golfers. It could also be for a special occasion or birthday or for a family or families that just want to relax in luxurious privacy