Hotel Benacus Malcesine

This 29-room, family-run hotel is a friendly place where arriving guests are offered a drink as the staff provides an overview of local attractions, bus schedules, and other information. The small lobby is bright and pleasant, with beige and pink marble-tile floors and two sets of matching armchairs and sofas. But the tiered ceiling details and red-and-gold upholstery here can feel dated. The curved reception desk is paneled in amber-hued wood and dark marble. This color scheme continues at the oval bar, which also feels a bit old fashioned, but it offers indoor and covered outdoor seating. The entire area has great views of the majestic mountain range that towers above the property. The hotel is popular with couples and families alike who seek a peaceful and scenic place to relax near the lake and the historic towns along it.

The hotel is located on the busy Garda highway overlooking spectacular Lake Garda, in a residential area. A grocery store is directly across the street from the hotel and a couple of restaurants are within walking distance, but most dining choices will be found in Malcesine, a 15- to 20-minute walk away along a peaceful promenade that runs along the lake. Alternatively, it's a two-minute walk to the bus stop that runs a regular schedule to Malcesine, which takes five minutes. It’s another five minutes by bus to the medieval Castello Scaligero.

Driving to the Gardaland and Movieland theme parks as well as the Caneva Aquapark at the southern tip of the lake takes about 50 to 60 minutes (80 to 85 minutes via public transit). The medieval town of Lazise takes approximately 45 to 50 minutes by car. Excellent hiking and amazing lake views are located at Mount Baldo, an 80-minute drive away; there's also a cable car at Malcesine that travels up the mountain. The Verona Villafranca Airport is 60 to 70 minutes by car, and the train station at Rovereto is a 40 to 45-minute drive or an hour and a half by public transit. 

On our visit in 2016, guest rooms at the Hotel Benacus Malcesine were midway through a renovation. Unrenovated rooms echo the old-fashioned look of the public spaces with yellow walls, salmon-colored tile floors, and blond-wood modular furniture, plus simple bathrooms with sea-green floors and tiny walk-in showers. But renovated rooms are a huge departure from the traditional look found elsewhere. They sport a bright, sleek, and minimalist style with white walls and white laminate furniture. Floors are hardwood laminate planks in an ash-brown, and boisterous splashes of neon green can be found in accent walls and molded plastic desk chairs. These rooms also have mini-fridges, which are not found in older rooms. Renovated bathrooms have off-white tile walls and walk-in showers with clear glass doors and rainfall showerheads. Rectangular sinks, bidets, and towel warmers come standard. 

All rooms include air-conditioning, tiny flat-screen TVs, and a limited amount of toiletries. They come in Single, Double, and Triple-Quadruple (bunk bed) configurations, and some have balconies with mountain or lake views. The rooms are generally quiet, especially when traffic from the nearby road subsides at night. 

This small, family-run hotel’s amenities include a free breakfast buffet with boiled eggs, cold cuts, pastries, and cheeses. The bar offers indoor and covered outdoor seating adjacent to the pool and serves salads, pasta, sandwiches, ice cream, and drinks throughout the day. The outdoor pool is on the small side, but it’s surrounded by a lovely grassy lawn with lots of lounge chairs and has views out onto the mountain range. There's a whirlpool and a small children’s play set adjacent to the pool. Bicycles can be rented at the hotel for excursions along the lakefront promenade. The hotel also offers free parking and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, plus a computer station in the lobby for guest use. Pets are welcome.