Hotel Baia Dei Pini

We stayed in Villa Suzy, which had lots of space, a modern interior, and air conditioning. The gardens were nicely maintained, there’s a small pool, and it’s an easy stroll to the local village and its great markets. The hotel sits right on Lake Garda’s stone beach, with easy access for swimming. Our best part was the half board: generous breakfasts with lots of options, including local fruit, and dinners that were beautifully prepared and presented. The music and sunsets added to the atmosphere. It was high season and a bit noisy at times, though we did wake up each morning to the sound of waves on the shore. That was a small thing.

The room was clean and comfortable, with quirky decor, though typically on the small side for Italy. The five course meal is inexpensive. The staff were friendly and pleasant. I took off a star because for three mornings in a row the servers didn’t ask whether I wanted any hot breakfast food.

Getting to know Silvia and the family story behind more than 60 years of owning this special place was a real privilege. Silvia and her staff were so welcoming, and Samantha and Arlind gave us great assistance. The rooms were fantastic, the food excellent, and there’s fun artwork and seating spaces throughout. We loved the positive beach and pool atmosphere, with those incredible mountains across the lake. We’ll be back!

We booked four rooms for three nights, but the organization and attitude toward customers were terrible. The young man in charge of the restaurant was very arrogant, and the owner and manager, Silvia, let him be rude to guests. They weren’t prepared and couldn’t provide proper service. The seafood was good, but the rest of the food was terrible. I’ll never come back.