Malcesine Hotel

We have recently returned from a belated honeymoon / 1st anniversary holiday where we had the misfortune to stay in the Hotel Malcesine. The resort itself was beautiful and we would definitely go back but would never return to this hotel. Stunning lakeside views, friendly staff and superb location in no way makes up for such basic facilities, poor standards of cleanliness and barely edible food. We were forced to eat out for most of the holiday as the alternative would have ruined our trip. For a country famous for cooking we in no way expected to be served food like this. It was at best basic but still poorly cooked and the meat was often not the meat it was portrayed to be. The hotel badly needs modernisation, a thorough clean and a chef capable of producing even basic tasty meals. In no way did this hotel fulfill our expectations of a 3 star hotel. In fact we saw 2 star accomodation in the same resort which was sparkling clean and in many ways far superior and much better value for money. We bitterly regretted paying full price for half board accomodation in such an establishment. Thankfully there were enough good restaurants within the resort who were able to provide us with good food and value for money.

We booked this hotel from Thomsons Late Deal (Lakes and Mountains) selection on their website. We paid £149 for 3 nights but a few days before we left I saw it advertised for £99 - which included flights, transfers and half board. We were going to have a couple of nights in the UK somewhere but at that price it was too good to miss. We were met by a Thomson rep at Verona airport and the transfer to the hotel went smoothly, it took about 1-1.30 hours but was very pleasant. As some of Malcesine is pedestrianised you are dropped off at the bus station and there is a short 5 min walk with the rep, your luggage is taken to the hotel for you separately. The location of the hotel is superb, right next to the main harbour /ferry point with wonderful views. You do have to carry your own luggage to your room but there is a lift. The rooms were very basic, bathroom very very basic. Earlier this year we stayed at the Madinat Jumeirah complex in Dubai which was the height of luxury and had the most wonderful bathrooms but we coped ok - you get what you pay for as they say! The waiters were very friendly and it was great to sit on the sunloungers overlooking the lake and the mountains, wave your hand and they would bring you drinks - really enjoyed the prosecco! Breakfasts were a bit limited - cheese, cold meats, cereals, etc, there was melon too which I enjoyed but get it quick because when it ran out that was it! No orange juice only grapefruit or pineapple. The menu for the evening meal was put on your breakfast table for you to make your selections - again it looked a bit limited (chicken leg with rosemary and celery soup with rice are two that I can remember) but we chose to eat out in the evenings. Every restaurant was within a 10 min walk of the hotel so it was very nice to wander the streets and select where to eat. We went to visit the castle and from the top could see another hotel called the Castello and that looked a pretty good location too and I notice it is number 4 on trip advisor as I write this so that would certainly be worth looking at. All in all we had a lovely time (except for some very changeable weather), in a great location at a bargain price.

We have just returned from one week to the resort of Malcesine, Lake Garda staying at the Malcesine Hotel. The hotel is in a fantastic location - right at the harbour of Malcesine surrounded by lots of bars and restaurants. The views are stunning and second to none. We had booked a room in the annex but would not recommend it - it is clean and the location is fine but the rooms are dark and the fittings etc in the bathroom are quite old. So we upgraded to a room in the hotel which was a lot nicer, although they couldnt move us for two nights. In the hotel the room was more of the standard we were expecting - a nice bathroom - it was one of the split level ones - which we found nice but a fan was essential with the sleeping area. (no air conditioning in most hotels at the lake side) As one of the previous people said - the hotel staff are very friendly and cant do enough for you. The food is fine - the veg is not fresh but they make an effort with the food and it is definitely edible and can be quite nice. They serve it in the traditional italian way- starters from a buffet, a pasta based dish, a meat dish and then a small dessert. When we got our room changed we were happy with the hotel and certainly had a fantastic holiday there. We booked a late deal and payed £200 each from Gatwick so we were very happy with the value for money. We visited different resorts around the lake and found that we prefered Malcesine to all of them. Definitely worth going to.

Surprised to read some of the reviews here, as when my wife, daughter and I stayed at the hotel we had a great experience. The first thing you notice about the hotel is its fantastic location. If stunning views over crystal clear blue waters with a backdrop of mountains is your thing, you really are in for a treat. The restaurant has a platform stretching out over the lake and is a great place to eat in the evening watching the boats and swans go by. The hotel staff were extremely friendly and helpful at all times and made us feel very much at home. We did not experience any of the problems listed by other reviewers. The food in the hotel is of a good standard, but it really is worth eating out in a few restaurants around the town, because you will be missing out on the full Malcesine experience if you don't! I was so impressed by the hotel and its wonderful position that I recommended it to my mum. She loved it too!

We explained about being vegetarians when we booked and were told "No problem". There certainly was'nt - for the staff ! Our main meal the first night was a plate of cheese . We asserted our right to a cooked meal like everyone else ; the following night it was a fried egg . Other evenings produced two leathery slices of aubergine and an allegedly vegetarian lasagne which turned out to contain diced ham . Complaints produced indifference , rudeness , even hostility . Throughout the week , the hot water supply to our shower was'nt working .Again our complaints were ignored . A great location , but it has too much to compensate for .

Dont be to put off by previous reviews re Malcesine Hotel. True, the food is a bit repetitive, particularly the choice at breakfast and the evening meal salad buffet. We puit up with it as we were only there for a week. If it was a fortnight, i think we would be eating out by the second week. However, the waiting staff were very friendly and helpful. The rooms we occupied were clean, comfortable and well furnished. Lack of air conditioning could be a problem for some and because of its proximity at the centre of village/harbour, it was noisy until after 11pm.No problems with having luggage taken from hotel to bus station at end of the holiday. All things considered a great location and a good base for the north end of lake Garda.

We have recently returned from the Malcesine Hotel where we had a brilliant holiday. The hotel is in the centre of the village but the streets are pedestrianised so no problem with traffic and the local bars have closed by midnight so no problem with noise. It is right on the lake, very handy for the ferry. There are ample loungers on decking over the water where you can relax and watch the boats go by and a small tree shaded area behind the loungers. The Malcesine is very clean and comfortable but one warning - some of the rooms on the top floor are very narrow with bathroom, wardrobe, chairs etc downstairs and a wooden staircase up to the galleried bed area. We found it quaint and attractive but some people may not like the polished staircase, especially in the middle of the night! The towels are changed every day but are of the smooth cotton continental type so don't expect fluffy bath sheets. The food is typical Italian:- a buffet salad starter (plenty of choise ), a choise of three Ist courses ( pasta, soup, stuffed crepes etc), a choise of two 2nds ( a meat and a fish / vegitarian ) and a small desssert. The waiters were all affable and we enjoyed the mealtimes. Once a week there is a Gala dinner where you get to try several different local dishes. The dining room is quite pleasant but the tables are not large and if you are a couple you will probably be allocated a table with another couple, which may not suit everyone. ( In fact all the guests seemed very pleasant and we were seated with very entertaining people ) Overall we found Malcesine village the best location on the lake and the Malcesine hotel a great place to stay.

Malcesine is a wonderful resort, but the hotel sometimes left a lot to be desired. Most of the waiters were very friendly, but the reception staff were at times offhand, that is when they were there. Don't go just before lunch as this is when all the staff are having theirs, you will just have to wait for your key. Same problem with luggage, had to wait 15 mins before it arrived, this made us late getting to the airport and we literally just checked in before having to board. Food was very repetative and ended up eating out on the last night. Would love to go back to Malcesine, but to a different hotel.

Found that most of the staff didnt seem interested in making our stay enjoyable.They were very offhand at times.The most anoying incident was on our last day when, due to the hotels location in a pedestrian zone,we were told that our suitcases would be delivered to the bus depot in plenty of time for us to catch our conection to the airport.This didnt happen and when our courier rang the hotel to see where they were she was laughed at.They eventually arrived 20 minutes late, which then delayed everyone else who had to make the conection.The food left a lot to be desired with little or no choice. As a destination Malcesine takes a lot of beating but Hotel Malcesine...No Thank You !

I spent a week in the beautiful resort of Malcesine on Lake Garda. Stayed in the Lunna Rosa which is a simple, family run hotel, kept immaculately with excellent service. Unfortunately there is no air conditioning however the rooms have a fan which despite the very hot and humid weather in July was adequate. Very enjoyable week and would definitely recommend Malcesine.