A five-minute drive from Lago di Garda, Italy's largest lake
A two-minute drive to the Gardaland Theme Park
Imaginatively designed themed rooms available for kids
Huge lagoon pool with waterfall and separate pool for smaller children
Range of kids' club activities, from face-painting to dance lessons
Two restaurants, two bars, and one café on-site
Free Wi-Fi
Not much for adults or teens
Little in the immediate area beyond theme park and lake
Swim caps compulsory in pool
Fee for towel use at pool
There's only one reason you would go to the Gardaland Hotel Resort and that is to treat the little ones. It has everything you'd expect to keep a kid happy, including themed rooms, a huge pool, a range of children's activities, and a location near one of Europe's best-known amusement parks. Grownups, however, might struggle to keep amused—there's little beyond the bar and pool for adults. The hotel's not cheap either, especially for the themed rooms, but it may be worth the price to see the smiles on the kiddies' faces.
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Scene
Traditionally styled pavilion filled with cartoon characters and excitable kids
Arriving at the Gardaland Hotel Resort, guests are met by a large green dinosaur who is apparently the principal character in this fantasy- and fairytale-themed amusement park hotel. The main building is surrounded by lush, manicured gardens. Inside, kids scurry excitedly around the bright, high-ceilinged lobby area, running up and down a grand staircase that leads to a wood-paneled reception desk adorned with cartoon characters. Overall, the look is a blend of a traditional country pavilion and a colorful kindergarten. The spirit of the hotel is all about appealing to children's sense of fun.
Location
Located in northern Italy's Veneto region, a short walk from Gardaland Theme Park
The hotel is located in the Veneto region of northern Italy, a five-minute drive from the shores of Lake Garda, the largest lake in the country. There is little surrounding the hotel apart from the Gardaland Theme Park, a 10-minute walk away (or a two-minute ride on the hotel's free shuttle service). The nearest town is the island fortress of Peschiera del Garda, a 10-minute drive away. The closest airport is Verona Villafranco, which takes about half an hour to reach by car.
Rooms
Specially designed rooms for kids include circus, pirate, and fairytale themes
The Gardaland Hotel Resort has 247 rooms, 16 of which are themed for kids. Standard rooms are traditionally styled with pinewood furnishings and floral patterned drapes; gilt-framed cartoon characters are the only nod to the hotel's theme. Themed rooms, however, are wonderfully designed spaces for kids that feel like stepping into a children's storybook, with themes ranging from sea-life to the circus (the latter even has a lion cage bed). Amenities include flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and air-conditioning.
Features
Huge lagoon pool and range of kids' club activities
The Gardaland Hotel's landscaped gardens feature a large lagoon pool with an aquajet area, a separate toddler pool, and a waterfall. The pool is not heated, swimming caps are compulsory, and there's a fee for towel use. The kids' club has plenty of activities during the day—from face painting to dance classes—and live performances by the park's characters in the evening. There are two restaurants, a cafe, and two bars, one of which is by the pool. Special events such as birthday parties can be organized.
