THE BEST HOTELS FOR LAKE GARDA GOLF HOLIDAYS
Including: Desenzano del Garda, Palazzo Arzaga & Chervo Resort.

On the eastern edge of Desenzano del Garda, just across the road from the lake, sits the deceptively small Piccola Vela hotel.  Not only is the location perfect but the rooms are larger than average and very well appointed; the garden rooms to the rear of the hotel are a little more expensive - but well worth it for their patios overlooking the back garden.  We have long considered the Piccola Vela to be the perfect base for a Lake Garda  golf trip.

The Piccola Vela has gardens front and back: the one at the rear of the hotel is a real sun-trap with a small heated pool for when it gets too hot (and a bar service in the afternoons); in front of the hotel is a larger garden, which is mostly taken up by the hotel's main pool and well-shielded from the road by thick hedges.  Underneath the hotel is a good-sized garage and there are plenty more parking spaces on the forecourt, so parking is never a problem.

The staff at the Piccola Vela are outstanding and you will be made to feel right-at-home from the moment you arrive in Desenzano.  The hotel has a small bar that spreads out onto the pool terrace and a tremendous restaurant too, which serves a tempting selection of traditional dishes with a few subtle twists to appeal to a more international spectrum of diners.

Outside, just across the road the lake itself is at your feet, as are a couple of very good restaurants overlooking the lake.  If you stroll the couple of hundred yards into Desenzano itself there are a whole host of lively bars and trattorie around the piazzas and harbour - plenty of choice for both food and beverages!  There are also a few late night venues around town should any of your party like to party. 

The most luxurious hotel in Desenzano del Garda with a fine location too. The Park Hotel sits in the very centre of town, looking out over the lake, near Desenzano's small beach and right at the end of the cobbled pedestrian section.

The hotel itself has forty-five rooms and twelve suites all of which are very well appointed (air conditioning, TV, mini-bar, etcetera) and have been decorated in light modern shades that lend the hotel a feeling of classic elegance.

The hotel has a welcoming bar in the traditional style on the ground floor next to the restaurant that has recently enjoyed a facelift with pastel shades now to the fore.  Outside on the lakeshore and around the small quayside you will find a huge choice of other restaurants ranging from simple late night pizzerias, swish enotecas, to the stereotypical family-run establishments all quick-fire Italian and gyroscopic gesticulations - great fun!

Take the lift to the rooftop and you will find the Park Hotel's swimming pool and sundeck (complete with bar service).  If you prefer 'wild swimming', in front of the hotel are stretches of beach and the cool waters of Lake Garda where you can literally immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery on a hot Summer's afternoon.

Conveniently, the Park Hotel has a few car-parking spaces infront of it and a secure underground garage (for which there is a small charge).

In the hills around to the West, but not far from Lake Garda, the imposing 15th Century Palazzo Arzaga is nowadays a truly luxurious and slightly secretive hideaway.

The Palazzo is arranged around a central square courtyard in classical Italian architectural style, with the reception, bar, restaurants and sitting rooms occupying the ground floor and the Superior sleeping accommodation above, Standard rooms occupy the ‘Residenza’ outbuildings.

The whole Palazzo is furnished with genuine antiques and where the original frescoes no longer persist tapestries have been hung to clothe the mason’s work.  Outside there is a more modern feel to the patios, the pool area with its solid wooden sun-loungers and the golf course extending out from beneath the terrace.

With an 18-hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus Jnr. and a 9-hole Gary Player course, swimming pool, health spa and (naturally!) wonderful dining, your only problem will be leaving!

Stay three nights - enjoy a fourth free!!!

The Chervó resort is a stylish new development constructed thoughtfully in local stone, very much in keeping with the old Masseria that it has grown out of.  The resort lies inland, about five kilometres due south of Lake Garda, away from any autostrada noise but perfectly positioned for getting to the other golf courses around Lake Garda.  Very much a five-star establishment Chervó offers superb accommodation in a self-contained resort with 27-holes and a par-3 course too.

The Chervó resort has both hotel rooms and apartments designed for longer stays.  The hotel bedrooms are arranged around two cloistered courtyards giving the resort the feel of an antico borgo - molto italiano!  Standard bedrooms are comfortable enough, there are also Superior rooms with four-poster beds and large Suites available too if you would like a little extra space.

As you would expect in Italy, food is highly important at Chervo.  The hotel offers one of the longest breakfast buffets imaginable.  For dinner there is a rather fine restaurant at the Clubhouse that is open every evening.  If you wish to go into Desenzano or Sirmione for dinner you will need to drive or take a taxi.

There is a full spa at Chervó too with all sorts of treatments available in addition to the jacuzzi, hammam and sauna.