Resort The Garda Village

A pleasant green complex right on Lake Garda, with a tree-lined strip of grass along the water that serves as the beach, plus a lakeside footpath. The main town is about a 10 or 15 minute walk away. There are pools, bars, a shop, and basic restaurants on site. It's especially good for children: the kids' pool has slides, a fountain, and buckets that tip water at random, so it feels properly planned rather than tacked on. If you don't bring your own sheets and pillowcases, you pay extra for them on arrival. The charge was very reasonable, much less than the tourist tax.

By the end I was exhausted and just wanted to get home. The neighbors kept shouting, running through the corridors, and banging on our door and our classmates' doors, despite being told guests had to keep quiet and that security would enforce it. From 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. they repeatedly kicked our door, and security did nothing. We couldn't sleep. The room brought more hassle. The shower leaked so badly that it flooded the bathroom floor every time, leaving us to mop up after each use. Mobile reception was awful too, so we had to depend on the hotel's WiFi. It cost €15 per day and barely worked in some parts of the hotel. The whole stay was frustrating and draining. I left tired, irritated, and counting down the days. I didn't feel comfortable or welcome there.

The village felt spacious and laid-back, and nights were pretty quiet. It's a handy spot if you'd rather avoid the traffic around Lazise and Peschiera. The lake and pools were great for swimming, and the position worked well for sunsets. There was entertainment for kids every night at 21.00, along with activities for teenagers. The bungalows are a little dated, though the beds were OK. If you're over 190cm tall, watch the box on the master bedroom wall. I hit my head on it hard.

We had a great few days here with my school class. The campground was mostly clean, the location was nice, and there was plenty to do, from mini-golf, basketball, and soccer to swimming in the pool when it was hot. We were on half board, and the food was truly delicious, with lots of different things each day. WiFi was the main letdown. You have to pay quite a lot, and it only works in certain spots around the village, not in the bungalows. Our shower door wouldn't shut properly, leaving a small gap for water to escape, so we had to dry the floor after every shower. It was annoying, and I think some of the other bungalows rented for my classmates had a similar issue.