Lake Garda
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The largest of northern Italy's great lakes, Lake Garda has a glorious microclimate more similar to Southern Italy. So the best places to stay in Lake Garda are never far from cypresses, vines, olive trees and citrus groves.
Try and avoid high season when the pretty lakeside towns are busiest. (Unless you like a bit of bustle on holiday in which case the high season is a great time to visit and see everyone else.) It's also almost impossible to book rooms in the best Lake Garda hotels unless you call them months in advance and even then, charm and diplomacy may be required.
Best places to stay at the Northern End of Lake Garda
- For a classic Lake Garda hotel at the narrow northern end of the Lake, the Hotel du Lac is traditional and family-run. It is furnished with antiques and Persian rugs and the restaurant juts out over the lake giving diners a constant gently lapping reminder of their wonderful location.
- Another favourite at this end of the Lake is Villa Giulia, a Victorian villa situated right on the water's edge. Book a room in the main house where the large bedrooms are furnished with antiques and some have terraces with lake views.
- Bellevue San Lorenzo is perched above the Gardesana road and is an ever popular destination. Its spacious grounds are filled with olives, cypresses and magnolias, interspersed with modern sculptures. A large outdoor pool, plus fitness and beauty centre complete the picture.
Best places to stay in Lake Garda for luxury
- For the very best Lake Garda hotels, a mix of historic grandeur and non-stuffy Italian charm, head to the Villa Feltrinelli.
- Or for something more quirky the pink-painted romantic Villa Fiordaliso would be ideal.
- The Villa Cortine Palace sits in pretty gardens and has 30s-style bedrooms and a private swimming jetty.
Best places to stay in Lake Garda - Lakeside villages
Lake Garda seems like a miniature sea, with tiny ports visited by little vessels and small storms that blow up from nowhere.
- For a real maritime feel try the Locanda San Viglio where visitors can moor in the hotel's own cosy circular port.
- For a cheaper option, the Gardesana in the pretty fishing village of Torri overlooks the harbour and 14th Century castle.
The best places to stay at the southern end of Lake Garda
The southern end of Garda broadens into two bays sheltered by the Sirmione peninsula in between; the north narrows fjord-like into a rocky cleft between high cliffs on the west and Monte Baldo on the east.
The best fish restaurants are always in sight of water, which explains the popularity of the restaurant at the Albergo Grifone. One of the best places to stay in Lake Garda for great value at the broader southern end of the lake, the hotel is right at the tip of the peninsula which sticks out into the lake and is surrounded on three sides by glittering blue water.
The pick of the best places to stay in Lake Garda represent every genre of Italian hotel, from farm accommodation (agriturismo) and old-fashioned pensioni to one of the most luxurious hotels in Europe, the Feltrinelli. The order by which the hotels are listed, as always, does not reflect our preference.
The best hotels in Lake Garda
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Villa Feltrinelli
Gargnano, Lake Garda
Sybaritic lakeside luxury hotel in an historic house. Like staying in a private home, full of aristocratic heritage, with restored interiors and antiques, beautiful fabrics and paintings. Gourmet dining, a perfect honeymoon escape for those that can afford it. But no pool or spa.
21 rooms from $1244Antiques - Superbly restored originals.Restaurant - Michelin starred restaurantRomantic - Good for couples.Views - Great views from hotelRecommended by - Kiwi Collection, Travel Intelligence -
Villa Fiordaliso
Lake Garda
Very romantic and grand late 19thC Liberty-style villa with historic interiors and gourmet food. Timeless, traditional rooms with antiques, lakeside views, and lovely gardens and terrace. Michelin starred dining. Intimate and refined.
5 rooms from $458Restaurant - 2 Michelin stars.Views - Stunning views over the lakeRomantic - Good for couples.Recommended by - Relais & Chateaux -
Villa Cortine Palace
Sirmione, Lake Garda
Grand and charmingly old-fashioned villa hotel with a splendid setting in pretty Sirmione.Lovely lakeside gardens, grand 30s style bedrooms, frescos and antiques. Private swimming jetty and lovely pool. Super romantic, if you like historic charm.
54 rooms from $406Garden - 5 hectares with fountains, neoclassical statues and natural terraces overlooking the lakeSwimming Pool - Outdoor poolRomantic - Good for couples.Views - Great views from hotelRecommended by - Travel Intelligence -
Locanda San Vigilio
Garda, Lake Garda
Elegant and intimate lakeside hotel, full of character, owned and run by an Italian count. A hotel for 500 years, the property is right on the waterside in a charming location, full of antiques and objets. A very special and relaxed place to stay.
14 rooms from $354Views - Great views from hotelSwimming Pool - Outdoor pool surrounded by olive trees, overlooking Lake GardaRomantic - Good for couples.Full of characterRecommended by - Johansens -
Villa Giulia
Gargnano (Brescia), Lake Garda
Handsome Victorian villa right on the water's edge, with large, light and airy bedrooms furnished with antiques, some with sit out terraces. Gardens and lakeside terrace, good regional restaurant. Family run, charming.
23 rooms from $304Romantic - Good for couples.Views - Great views from hotelFull of characterSights nearby - Well located for major sights. -
Dimora Bolsone
Gardone Riviera (Brescia), Lake Garda
Stylish bed-and-breakfast in restored medieval manor house with breathtaking views high above the town. Lovely garden, simply styled rooms full of antiques and objets. Quiet, secluded, a good base, set in a nature park with wonderful hikes.
2 rooms from $262Garden - 8 hectares with shaded paths, waterfalls, ornamental shrubs and fruit treesViews - Great views from hotelSights nearby - Next door to Vittoriale Degli Italiani, the last magnificent home of poet Gabriele DíAnnunzioGreat walks - Maps available. Walks suitable for all from gentle strolls to more adventurous hikes. -
Locanda San Verolo
Costermano, Lake Garda
Converted 18th-century farm makes a sophisticated boutique hotel. Well regarded cooking with plenty of local fans, and stylish bedrooms in vibrant colours. Large pools and lovely gardens, a short drive to Lake Garda.
12 rooms from $255Restaurant - Recommended.Sailing - Sailing courses can be booked at the Garda Naval LeagueSwimming Pool - Two outdoor pools: one for adults, one for childrenRomantic - Good for couples. -
Bellevue San Lorenzo
Malcesine, Verona, Lake Garda
Popular belle epoque villa with lovely grounds and simply furnished, modern rooms. Large pool, fitness centre and terrace, with lovely views. You will need a car. Good value.
31 rooms from $231Views - Great views from hotelGarden - Attractive outside space.Swimming Pool - Outdoor pool with lake views -
Gardesana
Verona, Lake Garda
Excellent food and comfortable, simple rooms in Garda's showpiece fishing village. Perfectly positioned in the little port, it's a very romantic place for a good value break, and ideal for local exploring.
34 rooms from $144Views - Great views from hotelSights nearby - Well located for major sights. -
Hotel du Lac
Lake Garda
Charming, family-run hotel in a lakeside villa. Old fashioned, full of family pictures and antiques, with a timeless quality. Good restaurant, peaceful village location, ideal for a relaxed and good value holiday.
12 rooms from $136Exclusive offerViews - Great views from hotelFull of characterGreat walks - Good for walkers.Sights nearby - Well located for major sights. -
Albergo Grifone
Lake Garda
Fish restaurant with simple, budget-priced rooms in a lovely location, overlooking lake and castle. Good base for local exploring.
16 rooms from $92Restaurant - Recommended.Views - Great views from hotelSights nearby - Well located for major sights. -
Tenuta Le Sorgive
Lake Garda
Organic agroturismo in deep countryside with modest rooms, with riding school, gym and pool. Ideal for families, and a great place for a mix of healthy activities - mountain biking and archery also nearby - and total relaxation.
8 roomsFamiliesLess £Secluded setting - For escaping.Great walks - Good for walkers.Recommended by - Sawdays
