Grand Hotel Liberty

Grand Hotel Liberty is located in a historic building that dates back to the early 1900s. The stone facade is complemented by green grass and palm trees, and is set off from the sidewalk by a lovely iron fence. The grounds are particularly charming, with a garden surrounding the pool and a spectacular view of a nearby mountain. Interiors are upscale and elegant: Guests are greeted by a grand staircase with antique wrought iron rails in the lobby. It’s complemented by a wooden front desk with tufted red leather padding on its facade, crown molding walls, and historic Italian paintings. Through the lobby, guests enter a luxurious lounge with burnt-orange-and-white checkered floors under a row of glass chandeliers. But the maroon and green leather sofas, set next to floor-to-ceiling windows, veer toward '80s datedness. The bar has a similar style with tall bar tables and stools. The restaurant has a more formal atmosphere, with white tablecloth-clad tables paired with wooden chairs with salmon-colored velour padding, as well as chandeliers adding an opulent touch. This property mainly attracts couples, however its proximity to the lake brings in groups of friends too. 

Located in the small city of Riva del Garda, the hotel is situated just a four-minute walk north of the shores of Lake Garda. A number of beaches are within a five- to 15-minute walk. Pini Beach, a 15-minute walk away or a five-minute drive, is a good spot for windsurfers. The fortress of Rocca is a five-minute walk away, while the Apponale Tower is a seven-minute walk. For business travelers, the congress center of Riva del Garda Congressi takes four minutes to reach on foot. There’s a few restaurants on surrounding streets, though a diversity of dining options are within a five-minute walk. A bus stop is located a minute away, but the nearest train station in Mori is about a 20-minute drive. It’s an hour’s drive to the nearest airport, Verona-Villafranca Airport. 

The Grand Hotel Liberty has 94 rooms and suites and all feature either views of the street and city, or lovely views of the pool and mountain. Rooms have a somewhat Art Nouveau style with floral prints, soft colors, and a heavy emphasis on wooden furniture. Unfortunately, decor is dated compared to the rest of the hotel -- the carpets are faded, bed linens and decorative pieces are unstylish and old, and there’s significant wear and tear to the wooden furniture. Still, they offer modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning (during summer months), and minibars, though no coffee- and tea-making facilities. Free Wi-Fi is available, but reports have been made of spotty connections. A few rooms facing the street have small furnished balconies. The Suite is spread across two floors, with a living room on the first floor and the bedroom upstairs. Bathrooms differ in style and size and could also use an update. They’re equipped with bidets, toiletries, and hairdryers. Most have small showers, while the Suite has a jetted tub with a hand-held showerhead. 

Grand Hotel Liberty offers a number of top-notch amenities, but none more so than the variety of treatments and facilities at its extensive wellness center. This includes an indoor heated pool with built-in water beds with massages and jet streams, as well as a sauna, "emotional showers" with tinted lights, and a warming bench. Massages and beauty treatments are offered and there’s a fitness center with cardio and weight machines as well as free weights. However, only guests who book directly with the hotel have free access to the indoor pool and gym; those who book on third-party websites must pay a fee. There’s also an outdoor pool with lovely mountain views that’s free for guests to use. 

A free breakfast is served in the elegant breakfast room, which has a pleasant adjacent outdoor patio. Breakfast can be delivered to guest rooms for a fee. The restaurant serves dinner in the evenings, while a bar provides snacks and drinks throughout the day. Business travelers can make use of three fully equipped meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi, though there have been reports of slow or poor connections. Other amenities include a charming outdoor terrace (separate from the patio) with patio furniture, and a kids' club with toys and activities. On-site parking is free, and airport transfers can be arranged for a fee.