Hotel San Marco

From the terrace, the sunset over the mountains and lake looked really beautiful, and the lake view is wonderful. The hotel sits above the main road on a steady hill, so a car is the most convenient way to get there, and parking is provided. The rooms are new and cozy, and ours looked out toward the pool. The host was very hospitable. We spent a whole day by the heated pool, sunbathing and swimming. Kids have plenty to do too, including foosball and ping-pong tables, a trampoline, and a play corner. Breakfast was good, with fresh apple juice and tasty coffee that wasn’t the usual cheap, tasteless machine kind. There was no mini fridge in the room, but the host could let us use theirs for anything we needed to keep cold.

The breakfast was awesome, with a wide range of sweet and savory options, and we’d recommend dinner in the restaurant too. Staff were friendly, and parking was great. The rooms are on the smaller side, so I’d suggest choosing one with a balcony in the newer section. It’s close to the lake, though the uphill walk can be a challenge. The swimming pool is small, but there are plenty of outdoor seats and loungers. We were highly satisfied.

One bite of the tiramisu was enough to know my lactose-intolerant boyfriend had to try the whole portion too. The service was lovely and warm. I’d come back for the hotel.

The main thing that spoiled this stay for us was how unwelcome we felt. After a friendly check-in, even simple requests seemed to irritate the staff. Around 14:30, we asked for the menu at the sitting area by the square and were told pizza was only served from 19:00. When we came back at that exact time the next day to ask for the recommended pizza, the owner/manager reacted as if our request was ridiculous and impossible. We also couldn't get a table in the restaurant upstairs, despite several being free. When we asked where else we could eat, we got a sarcastic response that she didn't know what we liked. The pizza place across the street was closed on Monday, and there were no other options in the small village. It would have been fine if something wasn't possible, but her tone left us feeling like bad little children asking silly questions. We were so uncomfortable with the constant snippiness that we didn't dare ask for anything else. On our last day we checked out earlier than requested and skipped breakfast because we felt unwanted. Her surprised reaction and sudden offer of hospitality baffled us, but came too late for us to appreciate it. We booked the hotel for the view, but the glass-covered balconies overlook the outdoor restaurant, so we felt watched and couldn't enjoy it as we'd hoped. That's a personal preference, of course. There were also lots of bugs and insects, as other reviews mention, which made sitting on the balcony unpleasant if you're afraid of them. Our junior suite with balcony was light, modern, clean, and nice, with a great shower, working air conditioning, and windows that blocked outside noise. The pool and hot tub area is small but beautiful, with a breathtaking view. Underground parking was a real bonus, though the corners are tight, which is normal and expected around here. We also found the other guests rather stern and grumpy. During our two days, we didn't see anyone smile or hear anyone laugh. It's a beautiful place, but it lacked the warmth we found among people at other places and hotels around Lago Garda. There are some great perks here, but if you value the friendly atmosphere we loved elsewhere in the area, this hotel may not suit you.