Elegant lakefront property with spa, Michelin-starred dining, pool
Corso Giuseppe Zanardelli, 190, 25083 Gardone Riviera BS, Italy Get directions
"Steeped in history since 1888—as a Habsburg hunting lodge that later became a World War II hospital—this polished, family-run lakeside retreat (now operated by the Mayr family in its third generation) blends neoclassical grandeur with contemporary comforts. Reopened for the 2025 season after adding a new wing of four suites and a renovated Aqva Spa, the property’s 86 rooms and suites across the main building, the Villa Principe and the new wing feature a muted, elegant aesthetic with tufted headboards, shell-shaped seating, freestanding bathtubs and balconies that offer postcard views of Lake Garda. Dining ranges from a lavish breakfast buffet on a lemon‑dotted terrace and alfresco lunches beneath centuries-old magnolias (the citrusy maccheroncini riff on cacio e pepe is a highlight) to seaside dinner dishes such as inky cuttlefish linguine with black‑bread cream, plus an intimate, wood‑lined one‑Michelin‑star restaurant serving items like celeriac ravioli and a bold spaghetti brightened with oyster and raspberry; evening rituals include cocktails in a dark lounge and sunset drinks on a sprawling terrace. The upgraded Aqva Spa emphasizes relaxation with Sothys treatments—including a signature 110‑minute 1888 scrub, mud wrap, massage and facial—an indoor pool framed by regal columns, canopied beds and sunlit loungers with complimentary dried mango. Service is polite and enthusiastic, the concierge is knowledgeable, and practical touches include elevators and six ground‑floor rooms for guests with limited mobility; the property participates in the Leaders Club (Leading Hotels of the World) and rates start from around $741." - Alia Akkam
"Initially built in 1888 as a hunting lodge for the Austrian royal family, this Leading Hotels of the World member has kept its historic charm while being updated for today’s modern travelers. It’s one of the few hotels in the area with direct lake access, and guests love sunbathing on the lake’s shores or catching a boat from the dock. It’s also known for its Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Fagiano." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"No relation to the similarly named Brazilian hotels, Italy’s Grand Hotel Fasano is a luxury hotel of classic vintage, a 19th-century royal hunting lodge on the shores of Lake Garda, at the edge of the Dolomites. It’s been owned by the same family for three generations now, and it’s seen some changes during that time — additions to the familiar neoclassical structure, and the kind of upgrades that make it suitable for 21st-century guests. Even so, it’s retained the old-world grandeur that is an increasingly scarce commodity in the hospitality world, even in Italy." - Tablet Hotels
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