Villa Arcadio

Rooms

The hotel’s 18 rooms have simple, natural, textural décor. No jazz, no frills - think pared-back Scandi style. Instead, the luxury lies in the detail: expensive linens, dark wood, subtle lighting, soft non-allergenic pillows, complimentary water and sweet treats on arrival, and super-comfortable beds.

The best vistas are from the hotel’s only Suite, which is arranged as an open-plan apartment with a bedroom, living space and large elegant bathroom. There is also a quartet of roomy Junior Suites, each with a sofa/seating area; two of these look over the gardens to the mountains with lake views. The Classic and Deluxe Rooms vary in size, but this is one place where you won’t feel short-changed if you go for the smaller categories.

In some rooms, there are beautiful walls of exposed stone; in others, remnants of vintage frescoes. Some of the upper rooms (there are three floors) have high-beamed ceilings, but all share the same soothing style. Sunlight pours in through the windows, each framing an Arcadian view of the lake, the garden, or both. If watery views are important to you, make a request when booking to avoid disappointment.

Bathrooms are light and efficient but tend to be on the small side, with glass shower cubicles and marble basins, plus heated towel rails, but no tubs. Toiletries, slippers and bathrobes are provided.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Slippers
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

Whether it's breakfast on the vine-shaded terrace overlooking the lake, or dinner in the elegant restaurant, eating at Villa Arcadio is one of the joys of staying here. Tables are laid with sparkling cutlery and crisp linen. In summer, scents from the garden waft in through open doors (or you can sit outside); in autumn, it’s cosy and candlelit, with fireplaces at either end.

The à la carte dinner menu changes seasonally, and there is a six-course tasting menu, but we highly recommend the four-course menu of the day. During our visit, this kicked off with artichoke and pecorino appetisers, followed by rabbit-filled ravioli with pesto. Our main was melt-in-the-mouth pork ribs, while dessert was a rich chocolate swirl with raspberries and crushed nuts, followed by a top-notch port. Amongst the wine list, you’ll find bottles chosen from smaller vineyards, with every region of Italy represented.

Lunch is a less formal affair, with a bistro menu available in the restaurant or on the terrace. Breakfast is a decorative, healthy and varied selection featuring smoked salmon and granola, plus hot options like porridge, eggs, omelettes and pancakes.

If you want to eat out, there are dozens of waterside restaurants in Salò or Gardone Riviera. We loved A Casa Mia il Pieroli, a cosy osteria with excellent food, about 20 minutes away by car.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Spend some time in charming Salò, which was the home of the Italian Social Republic during Mussolini's reign. Today, it remains a pretty lakeshore town of narrow streets, squares and waterside walkways
  
• Explore Lake Garda by boat - either on an organised excursion, a luxury Riva boat or one of the frequent local ferries. From Salò quay, you can sail to Gardone Riviera, Desenzano, Sirmione and Garda
  
• In summer, you can also take a boat tour from Barbarano di Salò or Portese or San Felice del Benaco to Isola del Garda, a tiny, private island. The two-hour tour takes in the Borghese Cavazza family’s neo-Gothic villa and its glorious English and Italian gardens
  
• Visit majestic Villa Bettoni, a Neoclassical-style rural palace with stunning gardens, just outside Bogliaco
  
• There is wonderful walking in the Alto Garda National Park, or just follow the hotel's mapped out fitness trail around the site
  
• Ask staff to organise a trip to the Comincioli Numero One factory - producer of the world’s best olive oil (10 minutes away) - or to the Bresciano wine cantinas of the Groppello and Chiaretto regions
  
• A round of golf, perhaps? There are seven courses in the area, the nearest at Soiano al Lago (8km away)
  
• e-Bikes are available to hire - with quiet roads and some challenging hills, this is classic cycling country
  
• Back at the hotel, relax with a massage, yoga, or some time in the hotel's authentic Finnish sauna (available for exclusive use, by the hour; pre-booking essential)
  

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours
• Sailing
• Sauna
• Shopping / markets
• Spa treatments
• Swimming
• Windsurfing
• Wine tasting

Kids

The hotel feels a little too grown-up, too chilled, for hordes of kids, but they are welcome.

Family friendly accommodation:

The Suite is best for families, as it has a living room with sofabed. All rooms can hold a baby cot, most have space for an extra bed.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Villa Arcadio sits in the Salò hills, in the drive-through village of Villa di Salò, just above the south-western edge of Lake Garda in northern Italy. It's 3km from the lakeshore town of Salò.

By Air:
The nearest airport is small Brescia (35km), but there are more flights to Verona (50km); Bergamo (90km) could also be useful. Transfers can be arranged, but we'd recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your stay. The hotel has private garaging for cars, with key-card entry/exit.

By Train:
The nearest railway stations are Desenzano and Brescia - transfers can be arranged. Public transport in the area is good, and there are bus services from both stations to Salò, from where you'll need to take a taxi to the hotel.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.