Hotel Du Lac et Bellevue

A good hotel for a lovely holiday in Bardolino. Parking was easy and hassle free, the location is right by the lake, staff were attentive and helpful, and breakfast was generous and very nice. A couple of downsides: the restaurant kitchen closed at 8:30 PM, so you need to get dinner in early. The internet was weak and didn’t reach all the rooms. Still, kudos to the property!

The pool has more of a spa feel than a hotel pool, and the wellness centre was spotless. It was a welcome stop before dinner each evening. We didn’t use the gym, but the equipment looked spotless and high quality. Food was superb, with a good range of choices throughout our stay, and the hotel’s location and facilities are stunning. The staff were the friendliest and most attentive I’ve ever met. Nothing was a problem for them. We loved every memorable moment and, when we’re back at Lake Garda in a few years, we won’t look anywhere else.

This was my second time at Hotel du Lac et Bellevue, a four-star place that charges noticeably more than similar hotels on Lake Garda. The rooms and public spaces were spotless, the staff were mostly warm and professional, and the private jetty and lakeside terrace are lovely features. Still, for me it was one star. The experience felt budget level at a premium price. The breakfast was a letdown. The croissants tasted oily rather than buttery, the sausages seemed low grade, and the breakfast water, including the sparkling, tasted metallic to me, presumably because it was local tap water with a lot of minerals. The buffet presentation felt uninspired too. More greenery, better food preparation and a more logical layout might make it feel more sophisticated. The room temperature controls were frustrating. Guests could change the fan speed but not the thermostat, which was controlled at reception. That seems to put energy savings ahead of comfort, particularly for families with children who are sensitive to heat. We asked seven times for the air conditioning to be fixed, and only after several complaints were we moved to a slightly cooler room. Reception still controlled the temperature there. Staff kept saying everything was fine until near the end, which felt dismissive. I was told that to get a fresh beach towel, I had to leave the used one in the bathtub and wait for housekeeping. That backward system could leave you without a towel for most of the day. A towel exchange point would be simple, and the current rule seems designed to cut overheads. The standard rooms also look worn, with dated decor, furniture and bathrooms. The updated rooms look better, though the construction still feels superficial. Polyester-blend bedding trapped heat and made me sweat. Most other four-star hotels have moved to natural fibres. I’ve stayed everywhere from hostels to ultra-luxury resorts, and this was the poorest value for money I’ve experienced. At these rates, I expect updated rooms, climate controls guests can manage, quality linens and a carefully put-together breakfast. Until those basics improve, I don’t think the prices are justified. Choose Hotel du Lac et Bellevue if the lake access and friendly staff matter more to you than the rest. Similar or better stays are available nearby for a lot less.

The food was quite plain and average, which is why I’ve taken off a star. Otherwise, the service was very good and the facilities were well maintained. We had a beautiful room in the annex, which seems to have been updated recently. It’s a very relaxing hotel.