Lake Garda- hotel near public transport?!

[mamaneedshelp2019]

I know it’s been done before but driving myself crazy looking for a hotel for family of 4 ( 2 boys 10/13).
We won’t have a car but anywhere I find near trains/bus in Perschiera/Bardolino looks small and lacking facilities to keep kids busy.
Any suggestions much appreciated!

Neither of those places are particularly large resort, so if you are close to the centre or lake it won't be far to walk.

Thanks. I’m maybe overdoing reading reviews which mention shuttle buses and walking down the side of a busy road to town...

We're staying in Desenzano del Garda.

We have a toddler so can't comment on stuff to do for older kids but we chose it as it has a train station, boat and bus stops.

Have been before briefly and plenty of shops and restaurants.

Try Hotel Color in Bardolino - on the main road for buses but only 2 min walk to the town centre, five to the shore. Buses to Verona Station (for airport), Gardaland/water park, Sirmione, Malcesine etc.

Not unpleasant to walk by the main road for a bit, and there's usually a path set back (we walked to the wine museum, then another mile to a restaurant in the hills, then got lost in the dark so went downhill to the lake and established we were a couple miles south of Bardolino...)

Is there a reason you are looking at those particular resorts? We stayed in Riva del Garda and didn't have a car

Thanks everyone. I’m open to suggestions about which town we use as a base. Will go to Gardaland one day

Riva is bigger and probably more to do. We managed a day trip to Venice from there, although was a long day.

We stayed in hotel color too; with children but did have a car. Gardaland wasn't that good for us - do look at the rides available before you go. Hotel was lovely and the kids enjoyed the pools.

Any specific hotel recommendations in Riva?

Bear in mind it is a good distance from north to south end of the lake, and traffic on the east side can be slow in high season. Riva to Gardaland could be a long trek, by bus or boat. However opportunities for watersports and hiking are better in the north. Malcesine is good for getting up higher and mountain activites and has a castle. It is also the point where the road tends to gridlock so you may find it easier to get to the south from there than Riva.

Riva is a long way on public transport in the summer if you are wanting to use the theme park attractions in the south. If you are going in peak season I would advise against it as a base as the buses are very busy and often late and boats expensive. I can't recommend hotels as we have only ever camped but if you are happy with self catering it could be worth checking out some of the campsites as they often have lodges and have loads of activities for children.

We stayed in Garda the first time we went. The best way to get around the lake is to use the ferries. Every town on the lake has a ferry stop, and it is a much nicer way to travel than the traffic choked roads. The advantage of staying in Garda is that it is nearly halfway up the lake so you can visit both ends on different days. As LIZS has pointed out the lake is very long. You can always get the fast ferry to save time, but they are more expensive (but they go like rockets).

Don't know if your dead set on a hotel but we stayed a couple of times in Bella Italia with Eurocamp but in the bungalows not camping! Great pools, entertainment nightly, restaurants, easy stroll to Pescheira, shuttle bus to Gardaland( we loved it!). I think there might even be a hotel on site too but can't remember what's it's called. Our DDs still talk about the place years later!

Shamelessly place marking

These are all really helpful and I’ve narrowed it down to staying in Peschiera/Garda/Bardolino . Color hotel and facilities look great but more££ than we planned to spend! Bella Italia Aparthotel full. Have found Poiana resort and Enjoy Garda hotel . Has anyone stayed at these? Going to book by this weekend!