Hotel Parchi del Garda

This large hotel that opened in 2010 has five stately buildings arranged around a lovely, grassy courtyard that faces Lake Garda. As a frequent host of meetings year-round and a popular family vacation destination in the summer, it buzzes with activity most of the time. Arriving guests are greeted by a sweeping if somewhat sterile lobby area, with beige tile floors and blocky pillars in front of the wood-paneled front desk. A wavy bench sofa sits several feet from the desk, providing a sitting area as guests check in. A bit of greenery in large planters help decorate the somewhat dark space. A bright gift shop is around the corner, as is the buffet-style restaurant, with banks of large windows facing the courtyard, and brown-wicker chairs. 

This hotel is located between Peschiera del Garda and Lazise on the eastern shore of spectacular Lake Garda, a popular vacation destination and Italy’s largest lake. It’s also close to several of the area’s popular theme parks -- Gardaland and Movieland are about a four-minute drive or 13-minute walk from the hotel. The Caneva Aquapark, one of Italy’s largest waterparks, is a five-minute drive. A bus stop is a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, and bus service to Lazise takes about 20 minutes (or nine minutes driving). Lazise dates to medieval times, and it has many historic sights, such as the city wall, a castle, and beautiful churches, along with several restaurants. The small harbor on Lake Garda at Pacengo is about a 15-minute walk from the hotel, as are a few restaurants and bars. Verona’s airport is about a 30-minute drive, or about an hour's trip on public transportation.

The Hotel Parchi del Garda's 233 rooms have an airy, unadorned look to them -- no art or other decorations hang from the white walls, and desk chairs provide the only seating in the Classic Rooms. The matching light-finished wood furniture consists of X-leg desks, wardrobes, and nightstands mounted to headboards. Textiles are in creamy neutrals including white bedding, beige tufted headboards, tan drapes, and carpeting in thin stripes of alternating earth tones. Some rooms are topped with warm wood beams running along the ceilings. All rooms come with mini-fridges with free mineral water, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and electronic safes. Suites add coffeemakers. The spacious and modern bathrooms are marble, and come with heated towel racks, large walk-in showers with clear glass doors and rainfall showerheads, and marble floors, walls, and vanities. Suites add dual-sink vanities and whirlpool soaking tubs. Rooms are spacious: Classics are 161 square feet and Superiors are 183 square feet. Both offer double or two twin beds, with Superiors adding sofa beds. The 236-square-foot Family Rooms have two double beds. Fifteen Suites (366 square feet) have hardwood floors, sleeper sofas, and separate living rooms. Four Classic Rooms have been converted to “Experience” rooms, with whimsical themes (gardens and caves, for example) and colorful decorations. About half the rooms have lake views, while others overlook the interior courtyard. Many of the rooms have small balconies.

This large hotel is popular with both vacationing families and corporate groups holding meetings, and its features reflect that. Its conference center has more than 21,500 square feet of space that can host up to 700 people. It also has a business center with several computer stations with internet access, and there's free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Three on-site restaurants and bars include an upscale pizzeria that uses organic ingredients, as well as a buffet-style restaurant that has a daily hot breakfast buffet that’s included in room rates. Live music is performed in the bar as well. There's plentiful covered outdoor dining space, and the sprawling gardens have a grassy sundeck overlooking Lake Garda, as well as a large, meandering pool with umbrella tables and loungers. The pool is not heated, and is open only seasonally. The gift shop sells local products, wine, sundries, souvenirs, and clothing. Vending machines also sell drinks. The hotel has a kids' club with supervised activities. Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry services, and tickets to the nearby theme parks. Free indoor and outdoor parking is available.