Hotel Bella Riva, near Gardone Riviera, Lake Garda, northern Italy - Explore & Book
"You could easily pretend you were sailing the ocean waves at Hotel Bella Riva. This smart Neoclassical villa, which juts out over the glittering waters of Lake Garda, was built in 1904 to cater for the European aristocrats who once flocked to these shores. Fast forward a century or so and a thorough revamp has brought it bang up to date, without erasing any of its original elegance. The result is a colourful blend of old and new - glossy blue walls behind a wrought-iron staircase, ornate chandeliers above scarlet-red chairs, jazzy murals in the lobby - with a dash of relaxed glamour that wouldn’t look out of place on a luxury liner.And, just like a liner, it has everything you need for a hassle-free holiday: 23 sleek bedrooms, an outdoor pool, a swanky restaurant, and plenty of spots where you can sprawl out and unwind. But there’s no danger of cabin fever, with bikes to borrow, a private jetty for waterskiing and boat tours, and pretty harbour towns, historic houses and vineyards within easy reach. After you’ve finished exploring, sip a cocktail in the bar, with its vast views of water and sky, and imagine you’re on the QE2 - you’ll soon feel so chilled out that you really could be afloat. Highs An unbeatable position right on the lake: gaze at the water from your lounger, dinner table, bar stool - even your bed in many roomsIt’s refined yet far from stuffy, and will appeal to everyone from loved-up couples to families (there are baby cots, extra beds and a babysitting service for those with kids in tow)Wonderful palm-filled gardens that catch the sun all day, plus a decked terrace for alfresco mealsUnfailingly friendly staff, who will greet you by name, remember your favourite drink and generally go out of their way to helpPampering bathrooms, with marble-clad showers and stashes of Molton Brown goodies; a couple of suites even have steam rooms! Lows The rooms are a little bland in décor, but they’re very comfy and most have balconiesThe main lakeshore road runs directly behind the hotel - you may hear traffic from the garden and some rear-facing roomsDrinks and meals are on the pricey side and soon add upThe pool isn't heated, so can be a little bracing if you're visiting early in the summer" - Abi Dare
