Italy - where to stay near the lakes?

[fivechairs]

We are looking at Italy next year. I would like to do a few days at lake Garda and a few nights at lake como.

I'm not looking for an active holiday, I won't be doing long hikes or water sports, I just want to potter around pretty places and relax.

We will likely hire a car.

Where would you recommend staying please?

Also, we would have to go during school hols due to DH's work, but we are childless so places more adult focused would be good.

Hotel Villa Marie at Tremezzo is lovely - family owned small hotel with a pool and underground parking. Easy to get the ferry. www.hotelvillamarie.com/en/home/

My favourite bit of Lake Garda is Sirmione - though we have stayed in Desenzano and Bardolino. My top spot in the Lakes is Hotel La Palma in Stresa - Lake Maggiore. I recommend this all the time - the Sky Bar is one of my happy places. https://www.hlapalma.it/en/sky-bar/

When are you going? Lake Garda is manic in July/August, the quieter side is on the west coast - Gardone, Limone etc. On lake Como look at Tremezzo or Menaggio.

Thanks for the responses, we will be going in April

I'll be researching all of your suggestions this evening thank you @MissAmbrosia 😁

We're also going in April OP, so will be watching this thread! On my to-do list are the thermal lakes - they look wonderful. Also pondering a day out in Verona probably.

Lake Garda is always busy and strangely, bus transport is poor. There is a nice hotel called Hotel Du Lac near Brenzone (there are several hotel du Lac's). It's 4 star and does good food with a lovely spot on the lake. Lots of apartments to rent all around the lake too at varying price points.

I think it's best to hire a car to explore but you can get about on the boat network too but check the timetables out of the main season.

Can recommend Restaurante Giuly in Brenzone too, lovely tables overlooking the lake.

On Lake Garda I would suggest staying at Lazise or Bardolino on the eastern side - that way you haven't got too far to drive to get up to Malcesene or Riva in the north, or likewise the southern towns Peachiera and Dezenzano where you can get a train over to Verona or Venice - or further south if you wish. Won't apply to you but this also gives easy access to the theme park/water park.

I think the west of the lake is quieter though, and less touristy, if that's what you are looking for.

The Grand Hotel Menaggio served us well when we stayed there for a couple of nights at the end of a European road trip.
Lake view rooms were good (in the style of an older European 'grand' hotel) and right next to the ferry to Bellagio and Varenna.

Here’s my view and room from the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Absurdly expensive and full of dubious types, but it was on an insanely expensive work trip for an overseas board meeting, so wasn’t picking up the tab personally (and frankly, lovely as it was, it wouldn’t be worth it). An Aperol Spritz at the bar on the terrace was E40, and that was 7 years ago!

if I was going again I’d probably stay in Belaggio, which was such a nice town.

Riva Del Garda is the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life.