Hotel Astoria

It’s a quiet, comfortable hotel, and the reception staff were really friendly. You can reach the lakeshore in about two minutes on foot. Breakfast is enough to get you started, though you might be ready for another bite around 11, lol.

The location made it easy to get to restaurants and bars, and to catch the ferry around Lake Garda. We also walked uphill for 25 minutes to the train station and used it for trips to Verona, Milan and Venice. My wife and I stayed at the Astoria Hotel, Desenzano for a week and really enjoyed it. The staff were lovely, and our room was nice, clean and well looked after. Breakfast was great for starting the day.

The checkout was the rudest I’ve ever experienced, and the day hotel manager was obnoxious. While I was trying to pack and get ready, room service was sent up about four times between ca. 10 am and 11 am to push me to leave by 11 sharp. I walked out at 11:05, and the desk manager nearly started a fight over those five minutes. He came to the room at about 11:01 and was disrespectful right away. The whole stay felt unpleasant. A place meant to host guests shouldn’t send them off by provoking and disrespecting them.

The sun terrace has a fantastic view of Lake Garda. Bring a book and a glass of wine if you want some quiet time to relax. The hotel is a short walk from the ferry and bus, so it’s easy to explore the lake, and there are plenty of local cafes and restaurants for lunch or dinner. If you arrive by train, the station is about a 20-minute walk away, or there’s parking out front. The hotel itself is small, with good-sized, very clean rooms and a comfortable bed. I slept well, and the staff were friendly and helpful. There are no drink-making facilities in the room, but reception can make tea or coffee for €1. Breakfast is a buffet with a good selection.