Laglio may appear small on the map, yet its name is familiar: The quite prominent actor George Clooney owns Villa Oleandra down by the water and he still spends his summers here. But the real fascination of Laglio is older than any celebrity. The village traces its origins back to Roman times, its name derived from the Roman commander Lallius.
A little further north lies Torrigia, part of the Laglio municipality and the wonderful Cà Spiga. The yellow house sits above the lake with a view that sparkles in the morning light. It is the sort of B&B we kept searching for around Lake Como – a region that attracts large crowds yet still holds something intimate and quietly special.
The idea of brothers Alessandro and Andrea was not a business concept but a sentimental act. They transformed the home of their great-grandparents into a guesthouse as a gesture of gratitude. To their family, to the colours of Northern Italy, to lake life at a slow pace, without stress, without mobile phones, without online ratings.
The house’s name reaches back to 1877. Their great-grandfather, Carlo Cetti, had moved to Milan as an orphan in search of work. He settled in Via della Spiga – the famous fashion street. The nickname “Cetti Spiga” stayed with him in his home village and became a symbol for origin, courage and new beginnings.
Cà Spiga became such a success that the brothers acquired the neighbouring building and expanded, creating the first albergo diffuso (a guesthouse spread across several buildings) on Lake Como. Even with this growth, nothing changed in atmosphere: rooms feel like in a family home, the kitchen still has original furniture, copper pots hang from the walls, hand-stitched curtains soften the light, and the shelves hold cookbooks worn by decades of use.
During a visit, Alessandro guides us down a stone staircase into the ancient wine cellars. Here, bottles are stored in old racks, and guests may drink their preferred wine right on site. In the garden, a soft breeze from the lake travels uphill; olive trees cast gentle shade, birds are the soundtrack. You sit in a beach chair and watch boats glide past below. For deeper relaxation there is a small spa built directly into the rock – warm water, complete silence, lake panorama, all included.
The rooms
Every room is named after a plant or flower: Camelia, Genziana, Rosmarino, Salvia, Lavanda, Tulipano. The names are not decoration – they signal tenderness, nature, memory.
Rooms are not merely designed – they are composed. Pastel shades on the walls, antique beds, dried flowers in vases, old family photographs. In Camelia, the walls shine in soft blue while the bathroom is a deep purplish tone, a dramatic and unexpected contrast, with a view of the water. Genziana features a geometric floor reminiscent of the 1920s.
Everywhere, the past blends with the loving hand of the present. Handwoven blankets rest on the beds, and many floors remain in their original state. Nothing is perfect, everything is genuine.
You do not feel like a hotel guest here. You feel like a grandchild returning to a place where a spot for you always existed.
The house
A day at Cà Spiga begins with a scent: freshly baked bread, warm brioche, a hint of coffee. Breakfast is served on a long antique wooden table, like a family feast. On sunny mornings the scene opens outdoors – on the terrace above the glittering lake. Every bite tastes like holiday and home at the same time.
Everything comes from friends of the family – the baker in the village, the cheesemaker in the next town, the butcher who knows his own animals. There is mature cheese, air-dried salami, homemade jams, and cakes baked following the great-grandmother’s recipes. The family also runs “Bottega da Luciano”, an old-fashioned grocery store selling local specialties, aperitivi, sandwiches and dishes to take away – a meeting place for locals and travellers.
The surroundings
The heart of Laglio is the church of San Giorgio. Inside, it guards baroque stucco works from the 18th century, created by sculptor Stefano Salterio, who was born here. These artworks speak of the wealth of a region that was once a trade route, a pilgrim path and a place of refuge.
Torrigia and Laglio are ideal gateways to explore Lake Como. Hiking paths lead through centuries-old vineyards, past olive trees and bay laurel bushes whose leaves were once used for medicinal oil. A classic excursion is the walk up to Buco dell’Orso, a mysterious cave in the rock. From Monte di Torriggia, the view opens over the entire lake – a truly spectacular panorama.
And of course, the lake itself beckons: boats glide silently, connecting the towns and revealing villas, gardens and the quiet beauty of a landscape that has barely changed – and is therefore unforgettable.
Combine with
Travellers on a southern route should consider a detour to Liguria. The hosts of Casa Pernice and Cà Spiga are friends; staying in both houses offers insight into both of their colorful worlds. On the return trip one could pause at Lake Garda and South Tyrol – for a few days at L’Angelica Corte Palazzina and /or at Ottmanngut in Merano.
Rates
Doubles from 166 euros.
Booking & Contacts
Albergo Diffuso Cà Spiga
Via Torriggia Alta, 10,
22010 Laglio CO
Italy
