Park Hotel

It might be set in a primrose-painted villa that dates back to 1897, on the cobbled streets of Desenzano del Garda, but there is nothing dated or staid about the decor at the Park Hotel. Its lobby’s beige walls and marble floors are livened up with splashes of vibrant blues on rugs, egg armchairs, and glossy panels on the walls. Fun, quirky touches at every turn include lamps with Panama hats for lampshades, front desk glass displays of model houses, photography gear, and disheveled books, and jazzily patterned wallpaper. The hotel’s restaurant and bar are both designed along similar lines, with rich chocolate walls and dark woods contrasting with teal chairs and tabletops, and slouchy leather armchairs. Up on the roof is a pool terrace and, more importantly, panoramic views over the red rooftops and church spires of Desenzano, the crystal blue depths of Lake Garda, and the mountains beyond. Guests love Aki, the hotel’s dog, who trots about the place. The hotel attracts a wide range of guests looking for an upmarket base from which to explore Lake Garda and beyond.

Situated across a road from the banks of Lake Garda, and among the pretty cobbled streets of Desenzano’s old town, the Park Hotel is ideally located. It’s a four-minute walk to the Piazza Giuseppe Malezzi at the center of town, and the Porto de Desenzano, the town’s attractive marina. Farther afield, there are three golf courses within a 25-minute drive, and there are three amusement parks along the lake’s shore, including Gardaland, Movieland Park, and Caneva Aquapark, about the same distance. Trains to and from Milan, Verona, and Venice all pass through Desenzano’s station, which is a five-minute drive away, or 15 to 20 minutes on foot. Expect roughly a 30-minute transfer to Verona Villafranca Airport by car, or 80 minutes by public transport.

Rooms are all contemporary and sophisticated, if somewhat subdued, trading the bold shades and quirky accents downstairs for more muted shades of taupe and champagne. Elegance Rooms are the hotel’s smallest, and look out over the streets of Desenzano. They have a double bed with a headboard upholstered in damask golden fabric, a taupe counterpane, and teal velveteen pillows, as well as a large and slouchy armchair in the corner, a desk with a velvet teal ottoman for a chair, and a flat-screen TV. Superior Rooms have French doors and private terraces that overlook the lake, while Prestige Rooms have a separate bedroom and living room, with a desk and chair, and two armchairs upholstered in green velvet with a slight Baroque twist. Bathrooms are decorated in either beige marble, or more impressive mosaic tiling, and all have bidets and showers with rainfall showerheads. Some are on the small and/or narrow side. All rooms have a minibar, safe, AC, hairdryer, toiletries, slippers, and free Wi-Fi, but no kettle or iron -- the latter due to fire safety.

The Park Hotel is somewhat light on amenities, as it lacks both a gym and spa. However, easily the most impressive thing about the Park Hotel is the rooftop pool terrace, which has stunning views of the ochre clay rooftops of Desenzano, the blue depths of Lake Garda, and the mountains beyond. Guests rave about the free and varied buffet breakfast, and other meals can be had at the a la carte Italian restaurant. The bar serves cocktails and aperitifs, as well as light snacks. There are bikes to rent from the hotel lobby. Four meeting rooms are on-site, the largest of which can accommodate up to 100 people. There is secure underground parking at the hotel, but it comes at a cost. The hotel has free Wi-Fi throughout.