Guest User
October 21, 2023
Our first time to Lake Garda as a couple in their mid sixties who love holidays. Booked with TUI and couldn't fault them tbh, flight was a bit late both ways due to air traffic control. Rep met us at the airport and accompanied us to the hotel where she was also the hotel rep, lovely girl, Frieda. Coach transfer was just about an hour with a couple of drop offs on the way. Very quick check in, disappointingly no welcome drink or much information given out about the hotel so did attend the welcome meeting. I'd say English made up around 25 to 30% of the guests with food and entertainment definitely more aimed at the German guests. The food was good although again no cava, smoked salmon at breakfast which we have always found in other hotels we've stayed at. You chose your evening 3 course meal from a menu left on your breakfast table each morning and you were allocated a table on arrival which you had for the week. Ours was next to a lovely german couple but with the language barrier, we missed evening chats with other guests at dinner. Our table was also close to a fairly big drop so my husband took that chair as I was worried about moving back and falling off. We enjoyed the food but it wasn't always to our taste and not easy to identify from the menu. We loved the walk along the lake into Riva which took around 20 to 25 minutes depending on your pace. Riva itself is absolutely beautiful and we took the ferry to Limone and Malcesine. Do ask reception for the travel card which gives you free bus fares on some routes, free entry into the museum in Riva, discounted ferry tickets and free ride on the Bastione scenic lift. We didn't realise about the lift and paid 16 euros and had a drink at the restaurant at the top with amazing views. We also visited the museum which we enjoyed. Weather was fairly good most days but we did have some poor weather which was disappointing as we missed the fireworks and festival which was due to be on during our last evening. Also they had closed a large part of the river walk access which was a shame. The pool and bar area is lovely although I agree that there are a lot of broken sunbeds which could soon be put right, never had a problem getting one. There are lots of insects because of the grass and we did both get bitten. Drinks are expensive in my opinion, especially wine in the evenings which started at 22 euros a bottle. We just had a half litre of the house white or rose for 9.5 euros which was just about drinkable. Annoying they switch off the water tap in the evenings so you have no option but to pay for water so it adds up. The best part of the hotel was the staff, the worst was the awful entertainment. Mostly it was a keyboard player except for the first night Maurio and his daughter sang together and they were really good. By night 10 I was bored and it was pouring so no chance of a walk into Riva either. We did venture in one night and again only a keyboard player in the saure so