Affittacamere Battistoli

The meal came to €35 per person for the full menu, with an appetizer, first course, second course, side, and dessert. The food was good, but the dishes felt like things you could get at plenty of other places, without anything extra to set them apart. Prices were about average for similar restaurants, some of which might offer a little more. What makes this place stand out is the view over the lake and the tables on the panoramic terrace. It's a bit off the beaten path, but the staff are welcoming and helpful. Inside, it's small and charming, and fairly clean. There's one restroom shared by men and women, and it was kept tidy and reasonably clean. Would I return? Maybe, on a nice day to enjoy the view.

We left full, but I don't think we'd come back. The pasta with salmon had a very strong ham taste. The trout was otherwise quite alright, though it could have been cooked a little longer and came without any sides. The bread seemed at least a day old. The house white was inexpensive and perfectly acceptable. Our server looked completely overwhelmed at first, but turned out to be quite nice.

The thing that bothers us most now is the mess around the house, with old mattresses and other junk left lying about. Such a shame, because the owners are missing a great opportunity. We used to come fairly often since last year, drawn by that beautiful direct view of the lake. Now there's construction below, so what you see is a building site. The food can be hit or miss. They started offering pizza this year, and it is actually very good. Still, the value for money doesn't feel right anymore: portions are nearly half the size and prices have gone up. You can eat more cheaply right by the lake. We'll still happily stop in for a glass of wine though :)

Garda is just a three-minute drive away, and the guesthouse sits close to the lovely towns of Torri del Benaco and Bardolino. Parking was easy to find. We spent three wonderful days at Pension Battistoli with our two dogs, and really enjoyed our stay. It's a lovely little family-run hotel with breathtaking views and a fantastic location. Everyone was very friendly, and everything was straightforward. Breakfast was good, especially the excellent coffee. We'd definitely recommend this guesthouse.