Hotel Splendid Palace

Breathtaking panoramas steal the scene at this property, which looks out onto Lake Garda and the village at the front and mountains at the back. Many of the common areas make the most of the views, from the sweeping windows in the lobby and restaurants to the outdoor lounging and dining terraces. Interiors live up to the hotel’s regal and slightly old-fashioned name. Decor is clean and elegant, with old-timey touches like the cubic wooden wall key holder at the front desk, classic cream drapes, and chandeliers hanging in the reception area. While the aesthetic straddles the fine line between vintage and dowdy, the atmosphere is well-suited to the mostly older couples and families that holiday here. 

The hotel is notoriously tricky to access given the maze of public transport required to reach it, and its location on a slope may be difficult for guests with walking difficulties, but its elevated perch overlooking Limone and Lake Garda is still one of its biggest draws. The shops and cafes at the heart of the village are a five-minute walk away, as are the ferry ports to towns like Riva and Malcesine. Other attractions like the Limonaia del Castel lemon grove and Chiesa di San Benedetto church are two-minute drives away. The mountains of Monte Baldo take about 30 minutes to reach by car. The domestic Brescia Airport Gabriele D’Annunzio and the international Verona Airport are over an hour away each by car.

With bold colors on the carpets, heavy drapes, and skirted bedcovers, along with old-fashioned wallpaper and classic Italian pink marble-topped furniture, the narrow rooms look frumpy. However, the main appeal is the views; rooms come with private balconies, most overlooking the lake and some facing the mountains and the town. The scenes are especially stunning from higher floors. 

Rooms are available with twin or queen beds, with larger varieties offering additional pull-out sofa beds. While closet space is decent and work desks are provided, there are no minibars or coffee-and-tea-making facilities, and mini-fridges are only available in higher-tier rooms. Rooms do have air-conditioning and wall-mounted flat-screen TVs that air mostly German or Italian channels. Per-day fees apply for safes and Wi-Fi. 

Bathrooms with pastel tiling and white fixtures are clean, but small, and the lack of separation of the toilet and bathing area limits privacy. Lower-tier rooms come with tiny walk-in showers with handheld showerheads. Larger rooms have separate jetted bathtubs. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided, though guests have noted that the latter can be old and dysfunctional. 

The hotel's best features focus on the gorgeous views. The bar, decorated with white booths with wood trim, and restaurant, decorated with light tablecloths and a cafeteria-like setup, are both spacious, but dated-looking -- the outdoor terrace overlooking the lake is more appealing. The restaurant features a varied menu for lunch and dinner, and while the no-waitstaff, self-serve setup can throw some guests off, the unlimited beverage offer (including wine, beer, and fountain sodas) with meals is a plus. The buffet breakfast is included with rates, and has a nice range of continental and hot items. Other dining-related perks include the free tea, coffee, and cookies offered every afternoon, along with happy hour each evening and two-for-one cocktail specials.

Two outdoor pools, one overlooking the lake and another right next to the water, come with several surrounding lounge chairs, but both areas get crowded quickly. There’s a small outdoor hot tub framed by fragrant lemon trees on one of the terraces, and a large indoor pool and whirlpool. While the on-site sauna comes with extra fees to use, access to the small gym is free.

As a holiday destination, the hotel has no specific business facilities. Live entertainment, including magicians and music, is featured a few times a week. Wi-Fi on the property is spotty and comes with fees. Guests can pay to use the garage under the hotel.