"We’ve just returned from a wonderful six-night stay at the Astoria Resort Hotel & Spa in Riva del Garda, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing family holiday in the beautiful north of Lake Garda.
The hotel is in an ideal location, around a 10-minute walk from the lake itself, and was perfect for us. After spending our mornings exploring the local area and escaping the midday 35°C heat, it was lovely to return to the peaceful grounds and gardens and the outdoor swimming pool, where the children could swim and play.
Breakfast every morning was excellent, with an excellent selection of hot and cold buffet options. A huge thank you goes to Daniella, who prepared fresh omelettes and crêpes every day with a warm smile. She always remembered my name, greeted me each morning, and made us feel so welcome despite the language barrier. Her kindness really stood out.
Another special mention goes to Adelaide, who made the best oat milk latte macchiatos to start my day! She always found time for a friendly chat about our plans and genuinely cared about our stay. The fresh fruit and juice station was also exceptional.
The reception team were consistently welcoming and helpful, but Nora deserves particular recognition. Every request was met with enthusiasm and a smile. She arranged restaurant reservations, organised the hotel's bike hire, and provided ferry timetables that helped us plan a fantastic day cycling and taking the ferry to Limone sul Garda. She also recommended some brilliant local attractions, including Cascata del Varone and Il Bastione, where the panoramic glass lift offers spectacular views over the northern end of Lake Garda.
A useful tip for future guests: don't forget to ask reception for the complimentary Guest Card, which gives discounts on attractions including the Bastione lift and ferry journeys across the lake.
Thank you also to Bader and Danillo at the bar and restaurant, who always did their best to accommodate us during our evening meals. We ate in the hotel several times; my husband particularly enjoyed the Saturday evening barbecue, and our children loved the spaghetti with ragù (although they did think it was a little too salty on our final evening).
Our interconnecting family rooms were spacious, with comfortable beds and balconies, and housekeeping kept them spotless throughout our stay. We also appreciated the support from reception when we had a small family issue during our holiday—they were incredibly understanding and helpful.
The hotel has plenty to keep families entertained. We enjoyed the table tennis and table football, and I treated myself to a spa massage with the petite but incredibly strong Karin, who somehow managed to work every knot out of my shoulders.
If I could suggest a couple of small improvements, it would be wonderful if complimentary bottled water was replenished daily rather than only on arrival, and we'd have loved to see a wider selection of fresh salads on the evening restaurant menu.
Overall, Astoria Resort Hotel & Spa met our expectations. The facilities are great, the location is perfect, but what really makes this hotel special is its staff. Their genuine warmth, friendliness and willingness to go the extra mile made our holiday memorable. We would happily return and highly recommend it to families visiting Riva del Garda."
