Relais Corte Paradiso

You can get to Lake Garda, a supermarket, or the lovely small towns inland in just a few minutes by car, while the grounds feel wonderfully rural and quiet. Corte Paradiso sits in a beautiful park with mature trees and flowers, beside a huge golf club, and is part of an old castle. The holiday flats are roomy, fairly modern, and tastefully decorated. There’s shaded parking and a large pool. Everything was provided, and the friendly women at reception were very helpful. The name Corte Paradiso feels entirely deserved.

Rita and Silvia made us feel welcome, even through a rainy weekend, and the stay was amazing value for money. This is a well-run villa tucked into the Italian countryside, with the nearby golf course adding a bit of elegance. There’s an outdoor pool and a small playground, so it suits couples and families, while the practical apartments with fully equipped kitchens can work for groups too. It's not far from the center or train station, though you'll need a car or taxi to get there.

On our first visit six years ago, we loved this place and told lots of friends about it. This time, though, it felt as if upkeep had slipped. Both shower heads were stuck; after we raised it, only one was changed, and its water pressure was very weak. The kettle leaked, the hood over the kitchen was dusty, and the faucet handle took a lot of force to turn on. The curtain at the main entrance was dirty, and there was no curtain in the main bathroom shower, so water ended up all over the floor. One sofa leg was broken, and the duvets felt dusty with no covers on them. The garden, lobby, and other shared areas were clean, and the location was good. Still, I don't think we'll return.

The beds felt too hard to me, but the rest was great. Staff were helpful, the rooms were spacious, and getting there was easy thanks to the good location. I also liked the cute pool and being able to get fresh bread in the morning. Just keep in mind that breakfast isn't served.