Hotel Malcesine

The location is great, the rooms are a bit old-fashioned, but I like it. There was dusty in the room and the fan isn’t very useful

We stayed half board and booked through Inghams. Bedroom a bit basic but it was very hot and the air con worked amazingly well, the shower was hot and efficient and the room was cleaned, mopped and towels and bedding replaced every day while we were having breakfast! Breakfasts were plentiful, dinners on half board were good , plentiful and choice every evening. The fish was particularly good. The biggest assets of the hotel were 1. the location, amazing right on the edge of the lake and next to the harbour and right in the beautiful old town and 2. The staff. The couple who serve and maintain the restaurant, a gentleman and lady, are fabulous. So friendly and welcoming and nothing is too much trouble. They are extremely efficient clearing tables and serving even though there are only the two of them. The guys serving behind the hotel bar also very friendly. The receptionists are lovely. In particular one lady called Cristina. I left my walking pole on a ferry back from Riva. She phoned the ferry company for me. They called back to say they had it and would send it over on an evening ferry. We did not know they were going to do that as we were out having a drink. However, we came back five minutes before the ferry was due to arrive and she called us over and we ran round in time to get the pole. However, had we not come back she was going to leave the reception and run round and pick it up herself. If that’s not good service I don’t know what is! I would not have got my pole back if was not for Christina.

We ate here while travelling along the lake. Pasta dishes were very good. Value for money was good for the area and service was efficient if not exactly friendly. The view from the terrace is unbeatable - you are sitting a foot or so away from the water and all the birds landing there and diving for fish. After lunch we’d hoped to sit on one of the loungers to the side where the bar is and enjoy a coffee and a rest before driving on but were told quite rudely we couldn’t because we were entry guests of the hotel which spoiled the experience a little. We’d have been happy to pay but had no option to even discuss this.