Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Verbania Vacation Awaits at Belvilla by Oyo Casa Susanna!
Escape to Paradise? Let's See: My Belvilla by Oyo Casa Susanna Verdict (Verbania Edition!)
Okay, so here's the deal. I just got back from (hopefully) my "dream Verbania vacation" advertised by Belvilla by Oyo at Casa Susanna. The brochure, the website – they painted this picture of idyllic bliss. Let's just say reality, as always, had a few more brushstrokes than the marketing team. Buckle up, because this is going to be a brutally honest, rambling, and hopefully hilarious breakdown of my experience.
(Metadata Time! Because, SEO, right? Keywords: Belvilla by Oyo, Casa Susanna, Verbania, Lake Maggiore, Italy, Vacation, Review, Accessible, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Wi-Fi, Cleanliness, Safety, Family-friendly, Amenities, Travel.)
First Impressions (and the Quest for Accessibility):
Right, the first hurdle: Accessibility. This is a big one, and frankly, Belvilla’s website wasn’t super clear. I’ve got some mobility issues, so it’s crucial. Getting to the property was, thankfully, manageable. Finding the entrance? Less so. The signage could be better. (Access) (Facilities for disabled guests – kinda, but needs more info!) Inside, the elevator was a lifesaver. That's a win. (Elevator) (Air conditioning in public area) (Facilities for disabled guests) But the hallways? A little tight. Navigating with a cane was… a workout.
The Room: My Temporary Palace (or Not):
My room? (Available in all rooms) Yeah, it had everything listed: (Air conditioning) (Alarm clock) (Bathrobes) (Bathroom phone) (Bathtub) (Blackout curtains) (Carpeting) (Closet) (Coffee/tea maker) (Complimentary tea) (Daily housekeeping) (Desk) (Extra long bed) (Free bottled water) (Hair dryer) (High floor) (In-room safe box) (Internet access – LAN) (Internet access – wireless) (Ironing facilities) (Laptop workspace) (Linens) (Mini bar) (Mirror) (Non-smoking) (On-demand movies) (Private bathroom) (Reading light) (Refrigerator) (Safety/security feature) (Satellite/cable channels) (Scale) (Seating area) (Separate shower/bathtub) (Shower) (Slippers) (Smoke detector) (Socket near the bed) (Sofa) (Soundproofing) (Telephone) (Toiletries) (Towels) (Umbrella) (Visual alarm) (Wake-up service) (Wi-Fi [free]) (Window that opens). But…some of it felt a bit… stuck in the early aughts? Let's just say the TV wasn't exactly state-of-the-art. (Satellite/cable channels – probably just a few channels). The Wi-Fi, however, was a hero! (Wi-Fi [free]) Thank goodness. (Internet access – wireless) I'm addicted to my phone, sadly. But hey, the bed was comfy (extra long, even!). (Extra long bed) And the blackout curtains were my best friend in the mornings. (Blackout curtains) Sleeping in until noon. Glorious.
(Imperfect Anecdote): Seriously, I was so excited about the bathtub ((Bathtub)), I wanted to take a bubble bath! But the plug-thingy didn't really plug. Epic fail. I ended up using a washcloth to block the drain. Glamorous, right? Pure, unadulterated luxury.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Anxiety Meter:
Okay, post-pandemic, cleanliness is everything. Belvilla’s website promised a bunch of protocols. (Anti-viral cleaning products) (Breakfast in room) (Cashless payment service) (Daily disinfection in common areas) (Hand sanitizer) (Hot water linen and laundry washing) (Hygiene certification) (Individually-wrapped food options) (Physical distancing of at least 1 meter) (Professional-grade sanitizing services) (Room sanitization opt-out available) (Rooms sanitized between stays) (Safe dining setup) (Sanitized kitchen and tableware items) (Staff trained in safety protocol) (Sterilizing equipment). Good to hear. In reality? The room was… pretty clean. But I'm a germaphobe, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what other people were doing in my room before me. I did see some hand sanitizer around ((Hand sanitizer)). The staff seemed to be taking things seriously. (Staff trained in safety protocol) Overall, my anxiety level stayed mostly in check.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: A Gastronomic Adventure…?
The food situation was… patchy. (A la carte in restaurant) (Alternative meal arrangement) (Asian breakfast) (Asian cuisine in restaurant) (Bar) (Bottle of water) (Breakfast [buffet]) (Breakfast service) (Buffet in restaurant) (Coffee/tea in restaurant) (Coffee shop) (Desserts in restaurant) (Happy hour) (International cuisine in restaurant) (Poolside bar) (Restaurants) (Room service [24-hour]) (Salad in restaurant) (Snack bar) (Soup in restaurant) (Vegetarian restaurant) (Western breakfast) (Western cuisine in restaurant). The breakfast buffet was…meh. (Breakfast [buffet]) Cereal, some sad-looking fruit, and mediocre coffee. I'm not a huge fan of the buffet, the food isn't always at its best. I did love the coffee shop! (Coffee shop) The coffee there was decent, and the atmosphere was very nice and bright. I'm not sure what I was expecting. The a la carte restaurant was decent, I enjoyed the food, it was fairly priced. I really enjoyed the happy hour (Happy hour), one of the best things I got to see. I'm not sure if it's worth it. I did like the bottle of water! (Bottle of water)
Pool Time and Relaxation: Does Paradise Exist?
The pool! (Pool with view) (Swimming pool) (Swimming pool [outdoor]) Ahhh, the promise of a perfect view of Lago Maggiore! The view was… okay, it's not the best view. It was crowded. Not exactly a relaxing experience. I had high hopes for the spa, (Spa) (Spa/sauna) (Body scrub) (Body wrap) (Foot bath) (Massage) (Steamroom) (Sauna) but it turned out to be more of a “make do” experience. The sauna felt a bit… damp. The massage was good, though. This saved the experience.
Things to Do (and Not Do):
Verbania is beautiful. (Things to do) The location of Casa Susanna is pretty good for exploring the area. I took a boat trip ((Airport transfer)), visited the Borromean Islands, and wandered the charming streets. Highly recommend! But the (Bicycle parking) wasn't great. And honestly, I couldn't figure out how to use the car charging station. (Car power charging station)
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter:
They had a few good touches. (Air conditioning in public area) (Business facilities) (Cash withdrawal) (Concierge) (Contactless check-in/out) (Convenience store) (Currency exchange) (Daily housekeeping) (Doorman) (Dry cleaning) (Elevator) (Essential condiments) (Facilities for disabled guests) (Food delivery) (Gift/souvenir shop) (Indoor venue for special events) (Invoice provided) (Ironing service) (Laundry service) (Luggage storage) (Meeting/banquet facilities) (Meetings) (Meeting stationery) (On-site event hosting) (Outdoor venue for special events) (Projector/LED display) (Safety deposit boxes) (Seminars) (Shrine) (Smoking area) (Terrace) (Wi-Fi for special events) (Xerox/fax in business center). The concierge was helpful when I was trying to book train tickets. (Concierge) Daily housekeeping was a pleasant touch. (Daily housekeeping) The fact that there was a convenience store was great (Convenience store), I forgot to bring something and realized I could buy from there. The check-in and check-out process was very smooth. (Contactless check-in/out).
For the Kids (and Families):
I didn't have kids with me on my trip. (Babysitting service) (Family/child friendly) (Kids facilities) (Kids meal). But I saw families there, and it seemed like there were some kid-friendly amenities.
Getting Around: The Transportation Tango:
Parking was free. (Car park [free of charge]) Yay! There was a car park on-site. (Car park [on-site]) The taxi service was expensive. (Taxi service)
The Verdict: Paradise Lost (But Not Entirely)
So, was it a dream vacation? Not quite. Was it a disaster? Nope. Belvilla by Oyo Casa Susanna has potential. But it needs to fix some things to truly live up to the brochure's promises. There's still some work to do in terms of accessibility, service quality, and overall polish.
Unbelievable Belvilla Deal: Cupedo Vinaros, Spain Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandmother's travel itinerary. This is… me, post-coffee (and possibly pre-anxiety, depending on the day), attempting to wrangle a trip to the Casa Susanna in Verbania, Italy. Belvilla by Oyo, eh? Fingers crossed it’s less "Oyo" and more "Bella Vista" (that's Italian for "beautiful view," which I desperately hope is the case).
The Slightly Unhinged – but Hopeful – Casa Susanna Extravaganza: A Messy Itinerary
Pre-Trip Ramblings (AKA – The Panic Phase)
- Flights: Ugh, flights. Let’s just say I spent longer comparing airline deals than I did actually packing. Booked. Praying my luggage doesn't get lost in a Kafkaesque vortex of unclaimed baggage. Vibes are…optimistic.
- Currency: Euros, got it. Thanks, Google. Now, where's my money belt? I swear I had one… cue frantic searching of every drawer known to humankind.
- Phrasebook: "Buongiorno!" "Grazie!" "Dove sono i bagni?" (Where are the toilets? Priority number one, people.) I'm going to sound like a blithering idiot, aren't I? Oh well, at least I'll have a hilarious accent.
Day 1: Arrival & Impending Italian Bliss (or Total Disaster)
- Morning: Arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport. Hopefully, the passport control guy doesn't glare at me for my questionable travel attire (comfort wins over chic, every time).
- Anecdote: Last time I landed in an Italian airport, I accidentally grabbed someone else's suitcase. The look on the poor woman's face! Mortifying. This time, triple-check labels. Note to self.
- Mid-morning: Train to Verbania. Fingers crossed the train isn't delayed and that I don't accidentally sit on a particularly grumpy Italian gentleman’s newspaper.
- Afternoon: Check into Casa Susanna. Hold. Your. Breath. Pray it looks ANYTHING like the photos on the website! Unpack (or at least, attempt to unpack; I’m a chronic over-packer).
- Evening: The real test. Find food. Important Fact: I have the eating discipline of a toddler near a candy store. Wandering around Verbania, possibly getting hopelessly lost, but embracing the "lost-ness". Finding a Trattoria that looked legit – not too touristy, not too empty. Order something that's not pizza (I'm trying to be cultured, okay?). Attempt to understand the menu. Pray for friendly waiters.
- Quirky Observation: Will there be tiny, adorable dogs? I'm already planning on befriending one. Or several.
- Emotional Reaction: Overwhelmed, but in a good way. Excitement is bubbling over. I cannot wait for the pasta.
- Evening continued: Stumbling back to Casa Susanna, probably slightly tipsy from the (hopefully cheap) wine. Fall into bed, feeling the bliss of the first day.
Day 2: Lake Maggiore Discovery - Maybe I could be a poet?
- Morning: Attempt at a leisurely breakfast on the Casa Susanna balcony, if there is a balcony. (Pray for a balcony!) Coffee, biscotti, contemplating life.
- Late Morning: Ferry to the Borromean Islands - Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori. The boat will be a bumpy ride.
- Anecdote The last time I rode a boat, I got seasick. Pray I didn't bring this curse.
- Afternoon: Explore Isola Bella (the pretty one with the palace and gardens). Take a million photos. Annoy everyone. Then, Isola dei Pescatori. Eat seafood. Possibly fall in love with a fisherman, and never return.
- Opinionated Language: Tourists are going to be everywhere. I hate them all. I'm kidding (mostly).
- Messier Structure: Palace and Gardens, eat seafood, fall in love, find the cats, find the cats again.
- Evening: Dinner in Verbania. This time, try a different restaurant. Or the same one. Because pasta.
- Evening continued: Return to the Casa after a big dinner.
Day 3: Verbania Uncovered - The Pursuit of Charm
- Morning: Explore Verbania itself. The market! The lakeside promenade! Maybe the botanical gardens! Try to bargain for souvenirs. Embrace the chaos.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: This is what I live for. Stumbling around little cobblestone streets, people-watching, just being. Pure happiness.
- Afternoon: Cooking class! If I find one. If I don’t end up burning down the kitchen… Learn to make pasta from scratch (again, disaster could ensue).
- Quirky Observation: I'm going to be covered in flour. It's going to be glorious.
- Evening: The fruits (or, let's be honest, failures) of my cooking labor. Dinner at the Casa Susanna. A bottle of wine. Stargazing, if the weather allows.
- Stream-of-Consciousness: The feel of the pasta dough in my hands. The smell of garlic. The clinking of glasses. The sound of laughter. This is it. This is what life is about. This could be even a real vacation.
Day 4: Adventures and Aperitivos!
- Morning: Day trip! Maybe hike in the mountains. Maybe visit a nearby town. The possibilities are endless. And slightly overwhelming. I'm not sure I have the fitness level for a real hike.
- Afternoon: Aperitivo hour! Find a bar with a view and indulge in spritzes and snacks. This is mandatory. It's practically a cultural requirement. Watch the sunset. Contemplate existentialism.
- Emotional Reaction: Utter contentment. This is the life. (Until, you know, I remember I have to go back to real life.)
- Evening: Dinner. Maybe try that restaurant I saw with the amazing tiramisu. Important decision: Is one dessert enough?
- Messy Structure: Aperitivo, sunset, tiramisu-induced coma.
Day 5: Departure & the inevitable sadness
- Morning: Last breakfast. Savor every bite. Pack. Ugh, packing. Try to cram everything back into the suitcase (which will inevitably be bursting at the seams).
- Anecdote: I once tried to fit a small donkey into my luggage. True story. (It didn’t work).
- Mid-day: Train to Milan Malpensa.
- Afternoon: Fly home. Wave goodbye to Italy. Cry a little.
- Evening: Land back home. Unpack. Start planning my next trip. Because, let's be honest, I'm already addicted.
The Verdict (Post-Trip, Post-Coffee, Post-Recovery from Jet Lag):
- Casa Susanna: Did it live up to the photos? Did I manage to avoid total disaster? Did I eat enough pasta to sustain a small nation? Find out next time, on "My Life as a Clumsy Traveler in Italy"! (Spoilers: It was mostly amazing, even with the inevitable mishaps. And yes, on all counts).
Disclaimer: This itinerary is subject to change based on mood, weather, and the availability of gelato. And yes, I am probably going to make a fool of myself. But that’s part of the fun, right? Now, where did I put that phrasebook…
Ski-In/Ski-Out Luxury: Your Dream Apartment in Sankt Margarethen!
Okay, spill. Is Verbania REALLY as heavenly as the brochures claim?
Alright, alright, let's be real. Brochures? They're painted with unicorn glitter and bottled sunshine. But Verbania… Verbania is CLOSE. Like, imagine postcard perfection, but with the added bonus of actual, tangible smells. Yeah, the lake *is* that turquoise. The mountains *are* that majestic. And the air… sweet baby Jesus, the air is CLEAN. Like, you could practically bottle it and sell it as a youth serum. I mean, until you have to navigate the driving, then you may question your sanity. (More on that later. Much, much later).
Tell me about Belvilla by Oyo Casa Susanna. How's the actual *place*?
Okay, Casa Susanna. I'm not going to lie, I went in with that "expectation vs. reality" fear. Booking online is a gamble, eh? But... it was *charming*. It wasn't perfect. The shower *leaked* a tiny bit. The WIFI? Let's just say it occasionally took a vacation of its own. But it's Italy! Where did you expect perfection? It's got character. Beautiful views from the balcony. The kitchen was well-equipped for making a total mess of your first attempt at pasta carbonara (speaking from experience). And it was... clean. That's important. Bonus points: the neighbours were lovely, even when my attempt at "ciao" sounded more like a dying goat.
What's the *best* thing about staying at Casa Susanna?
Without a doubt, the balcony. Seriously, that balcony was my therapist, my sunshine, my entire reason for getting out of bed in the morning. Coffee? On the balcony. Aperitivo? Balcony. Staring blankly at the lake while trying to figure out if I should have another cannoli? You guessed it, balcony. It's where the magic happens. It’s where I felt like I wasn’t just visiting, but *living*.
Speaking of things to do, what else is there to do besides, you know, sit on that amazing balcony all day?
Okay, multi-tasking is a beautiful thing. Verbania has SO much to offer. Obviously, there's the lake. BOATS! Rent a boat, feel like a James Bond villain (in a good way!). Visit the Borromean Islands, they are seriously stunning, like Instagram gold. Hike in the mountains. Get hopelessly lost in the cute little streets of Verbania (it's almost inevitable). Oh, and the markets! The food markets are pure sensory overload. The smells, the colours, the general organised chaos. I could spend all day there. And then there's the eating...
Food. Tell me about the food. Did you, like, gain 10 pounds?
Ten pounds? Honey, I think I *gained* a small Italian village. The food is OUTRAGEOUS. The pasta, the pizza, the gelato... it's a culinary assault on your senses that leaves you begging for more. I might still be dreaming about the pistachio gelato I had on a hot afternoon, melting down my hand and into my clothing as a happy accident. Don't even get me started on the seafood. And the wine... Oh, the wine. Just embrace it. Order that extra plate of pasta. You're on vacation. You got to live a little, right? (Please don't judge me; I'm going back to the gym soon, I swear.)
Driving in Verbania… Scariest experience? Or just a minor inconvenience?
Okay, real talk. The driving. Prepare yourself. It’s… an experience. Think of it as an extreme sport. Narrow roads, hairpin turns, and drivers who treat the rules of the road like suggestions. There were a few moments where I thought I might spontaneously combust from sheer panic. Let's just say I developed a newfound respect for the concept of “defensive driving.” My advice? Rent a small car, pray a lot, and don't be afraid to let the Italians pass. They know what they're doing (probably). Though, there was that one time I tried to reverse uphill on a tiny street and had a small car of people honking at me. It's a memory I'll cherish... and probably be embarrassed about for years.
What's your favorite memory from your trip?
Oh, man... That's tough. Picking *one* memory is like trying to choose your favourite child (not that I have any... yet!). But, if I had to? Probably those lazy afternoons on the balcony, just staring at the lake, feeling the sun on my face, and absolutely, positively, doing absolutely nothing. That pure, unadulterated bliss. Or maybe it was stumbling upon that tiny family-run trattoria and eating the best gnocchi I’ve ever tasted, then attempting to converse with the owner in my *terrible* Italian ("More wine, please!" being the only coherent phrase I managed). Or maybe it was watching the sunset paint the mountains pink while eating gelato. Okay, I give up. Every moment had its own magic. They all blended together and formed an incredible mosaic of pure joy. That's really the best way to put it.
Would you go back? And more importantly, would you recommend Belvilla by Oyo Casa Susanna?
Absolutely. Without a doubt. Pack my bags *right now*. I'm already mentally planning my return. And yes, I would absolutely recommend Belvilla by Oyo Casa Susanna. It wasn't just a place to stay; it was a base camp for adventure. It was a place to recharge, to relax, to eat way too much gelato. It was a place to fall in love with Italy. And remember, even the small imperfections, the little quirks? They're part of the charm. They're part of the story. Okay, I'm seriously considering booking my return trip NOW. Consider this your official nudge to make the leap. You won't regret it. Just… maybe brush up on your Italian. And pray for good driving skills.
Any tips for first-timers?
Bring comfortable shoes. Seriously. Those cobblestone streets are killers. Learn a few basic Italian phrases (trust me, it helps). Embrace the chaos. Don't over-plan. Let yourself get lost. Allow for spontaneity. Pack lightTrip Hotel Hub
