Palace Hotel Desenzano

This was an incredibly disappointing experience. The hotel is like a building site with cranes and workmen. We should not have been given the option to book with the hotel being in this condition. To make matters worse the shower water went from freezing cold to scalding hot in seconds making it so dangerous it was unusable. We were due to stay for 4 nights and left after the first night with no compensation offered. The manager of the hotel had no interest in compensating us or apologizing. Unacceptable. They place no importance on customer service. Would not recommend

Arrived in March, so the main pool was closed but the roof top pool was heated and a great place to sit in the afternoons. The spa experience was very good with a good range of steam, sauna and aromatherapy showers. We had 2 hours access each day which was included in the cost of the room. Breakfast was very good with the usual range of continental and cooked buffet style. Room was spacious , great shower, comfy bed. Bit too warm and air con did not go low enough so slept with window open. Location was good for us as we had a car, so was able to easily visit nearby Sirmione, amongst other places. We were fortunate with good weather . There was no restaurant on site but could see several on route nearby. Staff were very helpful and kind and we had a lovely relaxing 3 day stay.

The last time we stayed here we discovered that we had left our luggage 500km away in France! so it was great to arrive this time, with our bags, and enjoy the hotel. The décor is elegant, slightly old fashioned Italian, and our room was beautiful. Sr Rocco made us very welcome at check in and we enjoyed a refreshing drink in the lounge. The dinner menu wasn't to our taste but our breakfasts were excellent! Thank you Maria and Alessandro, you made breakfast very special. A great location looking out across Lake Garda.

Great hotel. Have just stayed for 5 nights. Decor and amenities really nice and comfortable. Everywhere was spotless! Our room was quite large and really couldn't fault it. Shower seemed to turn hot and cold all by itself but we managed. Staff were all very hard working and lovely. Even though its just off the lake It's a little remote being in-between Sermione and Desenzano. Glad we had a hire car as I think we would have struggled otherwise but if you have transport It's a good base. There is some free parking on site and nearby. Otherwise they charge 20 euros per night to use their underground parking. Nice rooftop area over looking the lake with a small heated pool. Also has another ground floor large pool though I'm not sure if this is closed now as weather is a little cool. There was an extra charge for us for the spa but we didn't have chance to use it as we were so busy sight seeing. Breakfast was plentiful. Everything you could want to eat. You could get some lunch but there was no evening restaurant which was the only downside for us. There are a few restaurants within walking distance and of course there are thousands of restaurants in the towns around the lake but it maybe would have been nice to come back from a long days sightseeing to be able to relax with a meal before we retired and didn't have to drive/walk back to the hotel after eating.

This is a wonderful hotel and only let down slightly by its location. We stayed as part of our tour of Italy and enjoyed Lake Garda so much as well as our lovely room overlooking the lake. The only downside here is trying to travel between the hotel and the neighbouring towns with the bus timetables being a work of fiction at best. The local taxis are expensive and that is if you can get one which is nigh on impossible. We were forced to walk back to the hotel one night from Desenzano after dinner, and I have a mobility problem, the walk took approx 1 hour. Please be warned you need a car or other mode of thransport if you want to stay here

The Palace hotel was wonderful, very clean rooms and comfortable beds. Staff were always very helpful and the breakfast was very good, always plenty of choice. The spa was also great. Lovely warm pool on the rooftop wit wonderful views. We could not fault the hotel just its location. The only downside of the hotel was its location, it is quite a way out from the centre and you really need a car. There are buses and although it says every hour they are not they come at all times and not the times listed on timetables. We used the taxis but even they are hard to get and spent a lot of time just waiting for availibility.