"4/5 star hotel? Yes, maybe if you count the stars as 4 of the 5 connected campsites includes electricity, water, communal latrines and lake access. I mean seriously?
First, I want to make it absolutely clear that I do not in any way wish to look down on camping and campers in this review. Camping is great if that is what you are looking for. My family and I, however, did not come to Regina Del Garda Suites to go camping. We came to stay at a 4-star hotel by Lake Garda.
When we arrived, my family and I were initially confused of where to go to the reception and check in. After a quick talk with one of the gardeners, we soon understod that the three connected hotels, all share the same reception.
The courtyard just outside the reception is genuinely beautiful. The buildings date back to the 14-century, and the surrounding mountains create a wonderful atmosphere. The staff were welcoming and very nice, however on our tour of the premise, we soon realised why we couldn't see the lake...
We had two rooms, located in the same house but in different parts. The rooms are very modern and clean, nothing to note here, just really good rooms.
However, both rooms had balconies and views facing east towards the lake. When you step out onto the balconies and adjoining pathways, you literally step into one of the neighbouring campers yards. After a quick inquiry, we realised that our hotel, Regina Del Garda Suites is nestled right in the middle of 5 campsites. Just to give you an understanding of the scope and width of these campsites, it takes you around 4 minutes, normal tempo walk straight towards the lake to reach it. Taking this walk there is not an inch of open space, the campsites are squeezed right between the hotel and the lake. Heading down this pathways, be sure to wear some form of shoes!
Bottles of beer everywhere, laundry lines filled with clothes hanging across the pathway, dogs without leashes, barbecue smoke everywhere, cars everywhere, people everywhere, trailers, tents and caravans everywhere, the campsite is huge.
Of course our hotel pool is just next to one of the campsites.
Want to enjoy a nice espresso when coming to Italy in the morning? Of course! Just head over to the vending machine at the breakfast buffet, I mean come on?!. After asking one of the restaurant staff if he could man the espresso machine, he made me an espresso, free of charge? I think you know the answer.
Within 2 hours of checking in the same day, we went back to the reception and brought all of this to the staff and manager, we explained our case - this hotel and our experience is not on par with a 4-star hotel, and definitely not what we expected.
We wished to check out immediately.
The staffs mood changed and as if it was standard operating, our request of a full or partial refund was denied. Seriously? We stayed for one night, but early morning the day after we checked out, still without any refund, luckily we did manage to find an alternative hotel and our stay at lake Garda was very pleasant, despite the "campy" start.
If your family likes camping and outdoor life, than I seriously recommend this place, also if you are looking for 4/5 star campsites. However, if you are looking for a 4-star hotel stay at lake Garda, than I unfortunately can not recommend this hotel at all. I will give it that the rooms are very fresh and modern, this place has huge potential. But, in its current form it's like a castle in the middle of a landfill. Remove all the campsites and then you have a very nice hotel."
