The House
Casa Walser stands on the slope below the centre of Loco. The house steps down over four levels. The windows are carefully placed and frame individual sections of the valley.
The furnishings are largely original, right down to the Italian design furniture of the 1980s. My parents chose it in 1986. What you see here belongs to the house.
The house can be lived in all year round and is equipped for longer stays.
Amenities
Everything a longer stay needs.
living space
bedrooms
bathrooms
guests
kitchen
filter coffee & Bialetti
Wi-Fi
sound system
heating
fireplace
& tumble dryer
pergola
parking space
pets
16 and above
Getting There
From Locarno, you drive about 30 minutes on a winding mountain road into the Valle Onsernone. You have a reserved parking space below the school in Loco. From there, a five-minute walk leads to the house, so light luggage helps.
By bus: from Locarno station to Loco, about 45 minutes.
Please Note
Casa Walser is not a hotel and not a conventional holiday home. You need to be sure-footed, nothing here is step-free.
Pets are not allowed, children only from age 16. This is because of the open levels and the stairs. The minimum stay is five nights.
Personal Recommendations
Places I like myself. Not a complete list.
In the Valle Onsernone and Around Casa Walser
- Albergo Ristorante Centovalli, Ponte Brolla
The best risotto in the area. Outside under the pergola. - Museo Onsernonese, Loco
The history of the valley, including straw plaiting. - Macelleria Fratelli Freddi, Intragna
Wonderful salami and sausages. - Ristorante della Posta, Russo
Simple village restaurant with homemade pasta. Very much a family affair. - Rasa, Centovalli
Car-free mountain village, reached by cable car from Verdasio or on foot.
Ascona, Locarno and Lago Maggiore
- Isole di Brissago
Botanical garden on an island, with a good restaurant. Boat from Ascona. - Madonna del Sasso, Locarno
Pilgrimage church high above the town, with a wide view over Lago Maggiore. - Monte Verità, Ascona
The hill of the life reformers. This is where my parents took their guests on the morning after the opening. - Marnin, Ascona
Panettone in many variations and fantastic amaretti. - Grotto Madonna della Fontana, Ascona
Grotto in the woods above the town. Stone terrace, with a charcoal grill in summer. - Locarno Film Festival
The Piazza Grande and the town’s cinemas, usually early to mid-August.
Art, Architecture and Culture in Ticino
- Fondazione Ghisla Art Collection, Locarno
Red cube near the Piazza Grande. Picasso, Miró, Magritte, Warhol, Basquiat. - Teatro Dimitri, Verscio
Dimitri was a melancholy hero of my childhood. His theatre lives on. - Annette Korolnik-Andersch, Loco
Artist, excellent cook, daughter of Alfred Andersch. And a dear friend. - Teatro dell’architettura, Mendrisio
Exhibition building by Mario Botta, with changing architecture exhibitions. - Church by Mario Botta, Mogno
Mountain church at the head of the Maggia Valley, layered in Peccia marble and Maggia gneiss. - Castles of Bellinzona
Three medieval castles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Market in the old town on Saturdays.
Wine from the Mendrisiotto
- Gialdi Vini, Mendrisio
Winery from the Mendrisiotto. The white Merlot “Bianco Rovere” is excellent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to what guests ask most often.
Who designed Casa Walser?
Luigi Snozzi designed Casa Walser in 1985. He was one of the defining architects of Ticino Modernism. The house was completed in 1987.
Where is Casa Walser?
Casa Walser is in Loco in the Valle Onsernone, above Locarno in the canton of Ticino.
What makes Casa Walser special architecturally?
Exposed concrete, clear geometry and windows that frame the valley in sections. The house follows the slope over four levels.
Can I stay in a house by Luigi Snozzi?
Yes. Casa Walser is a house by Luigi Snozzi, designed in 1985 and completed in 1987, which is now rented as a holiday home. The furnishings are largely original, right down to the Italian design furniture of the 1980s.
Is Casa Walser a typical holiday home?
No. Casa Walser is neither a hotel nor a conventional holiday apartment, but an architectural original. The house requires sure footing and is not step-free.
How many guests can stay?
Up to six guests, in four bedrooms with two bathrooms. The living space is 150 m².
Is there a minimum stay?
Yes, at least five nights. The house can be lived in all year round and is also set up for longer stays.
Are children and pets allowed?
Children are welcome from the age of 16, pets are not. This is because of the open levels and the stairs.
Can I work at Casa Walser?
Yes. The house has fast Wi-Fi via a 5G connection and a dedicated workspace.
How do I book Casa Walser?
Through the enquiry form on this page. Your enquiry goes to Wild Valley, who send you the quote and also handle the reservation and all further arrangements. You can also book via Airbnb and Booking.com.
Can I get to Loco without a car?
Yes. The bus from Locarno station takes about 45 minutes to Loco. A short footpath with steps leads to the house, so light luggage helps.
Guestbook
“A beautiful, unique house. We highly recommend it.”
“Genius loci: a very special house in a special place. You are in another world, and yet only 30 minutes from Lago Maggiore. We will always be glad to return.”
“The house is a place where calm and space come together. We could really breathe, switch off and recharge with the wonderful view.”
“We spent a wonderful week in this fantastic, lovingly designed place in the Valle Onsernone.”
“A house to feel at home in, where you can immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the Valle Onsernone. We enjoyed beautiful, restful days here, hiking through the wonderful forests and spending time in this stylish house.”