Hotel Nazionale

A grand white villa gleaming in the sun, the Hotel Nazionale attracts vacationers looking to make the most of the bustling town of Desenzano del Garda, and use it as a base for exploring the villages around the lake and the rest of the region. In an area filled with mostly dated properties, this hotel stands out for its modern interiors that have a cool and minimalist feel. The lobby has gleaming tile floors topped with thick rugs, plus low-lying sofas and white sculptures. The bar is a more lively, with brightly striped couches and floral prints in jazzy shades of cerise, while the restaurant is a calmer space, decorated in muted neutral tones. The sleek vibe is best suited to couples. 

Only six minutes’ walk from the shore of Lake Garda, and eight from the Piazza Giuseppe Malvezzi, the center of Desenzano del Garda, the Hotel Nazionale is ideally located for exploring the lake. Farther afield, there are three golf courses within a 25-minute drive, and three amusement parks along the lake’s shore are about the same distance away. Trains to and from Milan, Verona, and Venice all pass through Desenzano’s station. Expect roughly a 30-minute transfer to Verona Villafranca Airport by car.

The hotel’s rooms are decorated in a modern, minimalist fashion similar to the spaces downstairs, which may feel a bit generic. They have beige walls and leather headboards, blue patterned carpeting, wood furniture, beige walls, and blue crushed velvet throw pillows and bed runners. All rooms have a furnished balcony or terrace. Note that some rooms face a busy main road, and are overlooked by a car dealership. Contemporary bathrooms have shower stalls in the Comfort and Superior Rooms, while Family Rooms and Junior Suites have shower/tub combos. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, minibar, air-conditioning, and a safe.

Comfort Rooms have either double or twin beds, a desk, and an armchair, plus a wardrobe. Superior Rooms are larger, with two armchairs and a glass-topped table that can be moved to make room for another bed. Family Rooms, meanwhile, have space for four people, and some are divided into two interconnecting rooms, one a lounge area and the other a bedroom. Junior Suites have a couch and terrace overlooking either the pool or the lakes. 

For a hotel in its class, the Hotel Nazionale is surprisingly light on amenities -- guests set on a spa, gym, or full restaurant should look elsewhere. The hotel does, however, have a sunny terrace with a good-sized pool, hot tub, and loungers with personal shades. A free buffet breakfast is served in a bright dining room, but there's no lunch or dinner service here. However, the bar serves drinks and snacks throughout the day. At night, the bar plays host to live music, as well as contemporary art exhibits and fashion shows. The hotel is big on cycling: There are free bikes for guests to borrow, and guests can make use of a dedicated bike room with all manner of tools and equipment to keep their bike in tip-top shape. The hotel has free Wi-Fi throughout, and there is secure underground parking for free.