Hotel Ariston

The garden and its warm saltwater pool made this a fantastic place to stay, and the location was great too.

You can reach everything from here, and the staff are amazing. We had unbeatable views over lake Garda, the castle and the beautiful town below. It’s a peaceful, enjoyable place to stay, and honestly, I can’t fault the location. Truly one of the best hotels we’ve stayed in.

The breakfast was extensive and delicious, though the instant machine coffee tasted very un-Italian to us. They only serve breakfast, but you can order drinks any time of day. It seems they could earn a lot more by actively offering them on the terrace or in the sunbathing area. Massages cost €75, and there’s a sauna for an extra fee. Free bikes and bike parking are available. Our room was spacious, with a balcony and small fridge, and the location was great for walking to Malcesine center. But room 8, near the family rooms, looked onto the roof below and a tree, and it was noisy in the evenings and early mornings. The eco side left us very unhappy. Towels were replaced every day even when we hadn’t left them on the floor, and a plastic bottle we were reusing was thrown away. There was no way to make coffee or tea in the room, so we brought our own. Car charging was possible only at night and cost €30, including for plug-in hybrids.

The courtyard with hammocks and loungers was such a peaceful spot. We paid a little extra for a room looking over the castle and lake, and the view was just like in my photos. The location is ideal for Malcesine, less than a football field’s walk down the hill to the town square. Breakfast was amazing, with fresh pastries, eggs, fruit, yogurt, assorted meats and great coffee. Everything was clean, working and up to a high standard, and the staff were so helpful and friendly. Max was a huge help getting us a cab to the train station for our day trip to Venice. Thanks to him and the breakfast ladies for making our Italy trip special. I’ll definitely book again.