Private lake promenade, sun deck with lake access (by steps), heated swimming pool (open Apr-Oct), whirlpool, sauna, Turkish bath, Wi-Fi in rooms and public areas
*Denotes local charge
Private lake promenade, sun deck with lake access (by steps), heated swimming pool (open Apr-Oct), whirlpool, sauna, Turkish bath, Wi-Fi in rooms and public areas
*Denotes local charge
Bellevue San Lorenzo sits in beautifully landscaped gardens, overlooking the serene lake from its enviable hillside spot. Six classic villas have been lovingly crafted into a popular and welcoming hotel – we love the personal touches and intimate atmosphere. Choose a lounger on the decked sun terrace and admire the scenery before taking a refreshing dip in the wonderfully inviting pool. For a day away from the sun, take advantage of the relaxation areas and visit the sauna, salt room or Turkish bath. Head down to the shore and follow the lakeside path and you’ll be in the centre of Malcesine in around 20 minutes. The views are amazing and should be savoured, as should the traditional and regional dishes. Dinners are a fine dining affair with a four-course meal served every evening, and there’s a variety of wine on offer from the hotel’s own cellar. Light wood furnishings and simple, relaxed decór is the style here and there are just 54 rooms and suites. The rooms and suites are in the main buliding or in one of the villas in the hotel’s grounds. The Double Rooms have a Side Lake View. For a supplement you can choose a Double Room Mountain View which has a small balcony or a Double Room Lake View which features either a small balcony or a terrace. The individually designed Junior Suites are the perfect choice for those looking for something extra special as they are more spacious and feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a lake-view balcony.
This resort, where the emphasis is on wellbeing, is set in beautifully manicured gardens outside the town of Bardolino, just across the road from the lake and close to the hamlet of Cisano. Water lovers will be delighted to learn there are five swimming pools, including two of which are just for children. After spending the day on the sun terrace or wandering along the lake to explore the centre of Bardolino (a walk of approximately 20 minutes), immerse yourself in the Turkish baths and thermal pools found in the incredible wellness centre. There’s also a whole host of Ayurveda treatments – a unique offering in Italy – to choose from. There’s a variety of drinking and dining options, with a seasonal poolside restaurant, a restaurant where all of your included meals are served and a choice of bars. The focus at Benacus Restaurant, the hotel’s spacious main restaurant, is ‘made in Italy’ where you can dine on delicious healthy dishes, created with local produce and age-old traditional methods. The al fresco Le Vele Restaurant is open during the summer months for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A casual breakfast and evening under the stars are not to be missed. Rooms are styled with light woods and natural-coloured furnishings. You can choose either a Classic Plus Room, on the ground floor in the original part of the hotel, or a Comfort or Comfort Top Room in the main building. Upgrade to a Suite for a slightly more traditional style with bold colours and a separate living room.
Just a short walk from the heart of Sirmione and right on the lake shore, it’s hard to find a better setting in this beautiful region. The interior of the hotel has a classic feel and is furnished with many original features like Murano glass chandeliers and a marble staircase, giving it a luxurious feel. Sunny days can be spent lounging by the water’s edge or in the raised Jacuzzi. There is an outdoor pool with lake views, while if you fancy a dip in the lake itself just walk to the end of the private jetty and jump in. The wellness centre features a thermal swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and relaxation area with salt wall and iodine therapy. The day begins with an extensive buffet breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant. During the summer months you can have breakfast al fresco on the raised sun terrace, with views out over the water and the pool. Snacks are also served on the terrace during the day. Dinner is included in your stay and is served at the main restaurant. For lunch, we recommend heading out into central Sirmione where there’s a wide range of cafés and restaurants – from local and informal to Michelin-starred. Back at the hotel, head to the bar where friendly staff will mix up your favourite drink. The rooms and junior suites are simple and classically Italian in style, with a balcony and garden or partial lake views. They provide a comfortable base for exploring the southern end of Lake Garda. The Superior Partial Lake View Rooms have a side lake view from the large balcony. The more spacious Junior Suites have a living area and garden views.
Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda perfectly captures sheer indulgence, a secluded and peaceful environment and a holistic approach to holidays. Its views over Lake Garda from almost every spot in the resort and the tranquil ambience achieved by the award-winning spa feel like a kind of magic; just a few days here will really feel like you are getting away from it all. De-stress and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul at the innovatively designed spa which is home to saunas, grottos, indoor and outdoor pools, including a saltwater pool and an infinity pool overlooking the lake. The extensive à la carte spa menu includes a wide range of treatments, and the spa also promotes the exclusive ‘Lefay SPA Method’ which combines the principles of classical Chinese medicine with western scientific research. Start your day with a yoga or t’ai chi class and after a sumptuous breakfast, take advantage of the bicycles and explore the stunning parkland with its outdoor trails dedicated to wellness and relaxation. There are two restaurants to choose from – the Trattoria La Vigna which is on the ground floor, and La Grande Limonaia on the upper floor. The Mediterranean flavours are enhanced by the concept of Lefay Vital Gourmet, which focuses on the health properties of food. There’s also a poolside bar serving snacks and beverages throughout the day. Accommodation here is very modern in style with natural materials and light-colour furnishings that create a beautifully calm ambience. Options range from Prestige or Deluxe Junior Suites to Family Suites and the incredibly spacious Exclusive Suites. Whichever junior suite or suite you choose, you will have a serene view of the lake.
Run by the same family for many years, Hotel Villa Madrina has a familiar feel to it with welcoming service. It’s been thoughtfully designed and sits in beautifully tended gardens with olive trees and a swimming pool as its focal point. After cooling off in the pool, visit the wellness centre and choose from the array of treatments which include traditional massages and therapies that feature natural ingredients like seaweed, olive oil and red grapes. There are free bicycles to take out and explore the local area. The restaurant is a bright room, thanks to the large picture window, which looks out onto the splendid garden. The menu is varied and meals are served in a relaxed ambience. To complement your cuisine you can choose from an extensive selection of wines from the hotel’s cellar to accompany your dishes. For a change of scenery you can take a short walk into town and make the most of the various restaurants and bars there. There are just 34 rooms, each with a balcony or terrace that overlooks the pool and lake. Furnished with antiques, no two rooms here are the same. The Bouganville Rooms on the ground floor have garden views towards the lake; some also feature a whirlpool bath. Oleander Rooms also have a whirlpool bath and lake views from the first floor. Orchidea Rooms are one floor up again while Hibiscus Suites are on the first floor with a large terrace and lake views, and some have a whirlpool bath.
From models to media moguls, poets to politicos, Lake Garda has lured travellers to its shores for years and it’s easy to see why. Clear blue waters, a string of pretty lakeside towns and a smattering of medieval churches are just some of the main draws. Splendido Bay Luxury Spa Resort is set on the lake’s busier southern shoreline, close to the hillside town of Padenghe Sul Garda – an under-the-radar town away from the hordes of tourists that flock to its better-known lakeside siblings. The hotel is a cluster of low-slung, terracotta-roofed buildings, with many arranged around a large outdoor pool overlooking the spectacular lake beyond – relax in a muslin-draped day bed by the pool or in the gardens to soak up the views. These dreamy vistas are the backdrop for breakfast on the outdoor terrace – and some of the rooms and suites, too. Classic Rooms are at the rear of the property with a small patio (no view) or choose a Junior Suite – some offer a partial lake view from the terrace with a glimpse of the water. Later, hotfoot it to the wellness centre, where you’ll discover an indoor pool (heated in winter), Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, emotional showers and relaxation area. On the spa menu is an array of face and body therapies, massages and aesthetic treatments – try the antioxidant-rich Timex C+ face ritual to give sun-parched skin a nourishing boost. For meals, choose from the BBay Bistro where you can also order a selection of dishes straight to your outdoor cabana; or head to traditional Osteria Il Rivale in the palazzo for a true taste of Italy.
Originally built for holidaying royals, Lido Palace is one of the most glamorous hotels in Lake Garda. It laps up some of the best far-reaching views from its spot at the top of the lake, and while its location means it takes a little longer to get here, it’s worth it. Design-forward additions, like the all-glass top floor, pull the hotel’s striking Art Nouveau exterior into the 21st Century and there are spots like Tremani Bistrot’s lake-facing terrace that showcase the location. The hotel’s CXI SPA is a big draw for guests; there’s an all-encompassing menu with high-tech Swiss treatments and ‘ceremonies’ that take you on distinctive journeys that are influenced by different areas of the world. The pebble beach a couple of minutes away is great for sunbathing in peace – there are no motorboats allowed around here – and the water’s so clear you might spot fish flitting about. The northern mountain-backed surroundings mean there’s plenty of choice for outdoor adventures like trekking, mountain biking and windsurfing to punctuate your relaxing stay. As well as the Mediterranean-influenced Tremani Bistrot, there’s the gourmet restaurant Il Re della Busa for innovative Italian food. Rooms are intimately sized spaces with beds facing your view of the gardens and distant mountains or Lake Garda. White statement seating and cool grey tones keep the style pared back, while features like Acqua di Parma toiletries set the bar for the kind of luxurious standards that warrant the hotel’s Leading Hotels of the World status. We love the Double Room Comfort Lake View and Junior Suite Lake View for their spectacular views.
Location, location, location. Set back from the Via Lungolago – the lakeside promenade – this hotel’s situation is its major draw. All you need to do is take a couple of steps out of the hotel and you can walk along the lakeside to the heart of medieval Malcesine; the views over the water to the mountains rising up from the western shores mean you will never tire of this stroll into town and back. Nearby you can catch a ferry over to Limone which sits between the lake edge and the cliffside. And when you return in the evening we recommend heading up to the rooftop terrace to enjoy a spectacular sunset. There’s also a pool set to the side of the hotel which has lovely mountain and lake views and is very tempting on a hot summer’s day. You can’t beat a start to the day that consists of an al fresco breakfast on the terrace, watching as the sun hits the lake and surrounding mountains. You can also enjoy breakfast in the hotel’s dining room, which is open at dinner too, offering both local and international dishes. There’s a wide range of restaurants you can try in town. These range from traditional family-run pizzerias to fine dining establishments and of course, a gelateria or two. Back at the Excelsior there’s a lakeside bar where cocktails and ice creams are served. The rooms are modest in style with traditional Italian furnishings and linens. Each Double Standard Room has a balcony which overlooks the rolling hills behind the hotel or the pool area, while some have a lateral lake view from the balcony, available for a supplement. The most sought after rooms at a lakeside hotel such as this are, of course, those which have lake views and we highly recommend the upgrade to one of these. For extra space there are Double Deluxe Rooms which also feature partial lake views.
Bellevue San Lorenzo
Hotel Caesius Thermae & Spa Resort
Hotel Continental Thermae & Spa
Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda
Hotel Villa Madrina
Splendido Bay Luxury Spa Resort
Lido Palace
Excelsior Bay
