The largest of Italy’s lakes, Lake Garda combines natural glacial beauty with the glamour of its lakeside towns. From the chalet chic of wind swept northern towns under the sheer amphitheatre cliffs to the Belle Epoque villas of the riviera stretch, there’s a range of five star hotels to choose from. Our Guru has spotted everything from traditional villas with decorations to impress the Tzars to contemporary offerings that allow the spectacular views to do the talking.
A great example is the Hotel Bella Riva in Gardone Riviera where 23 light and airy rooms and suites have been built in a villa dating back to the start of the 20th century, with eight more in another former villa on the same promontory. The secluded location is just 5 minutes’ walk from Sirmione’s historic centre and the hotel offers shuttle buses to get you down the hill into town.
Other five-star gems include Grand Hotel Terme in Sirmione which overlooks the Rocca Scaligera and is a short walk from the Roman ruins and pedestrianised historic centre. The L’Orangerie restaurant has one of the finest vantage points in the area and serves dishes such as glazed mackerel with fennel, radish and pink grapefruit.
There’s also the Lido Palace in Riva del Garda which was originally opened as a luxury lakeside resort for European nobility in 1899 but has been brought bang up to date with high design black and white decor and wall-mounted 42″ LCD TVs in the rooms. five star hotels in lake garda