Villa Monica

When we arrived at the hotel reception we were greeted by the two reception staff, who were lovely. One person then moved to deal with another couple who followed us in. The gentleman took us to our room, so unusual nowadays, and showed us bits and pieces in it. The room had a balcony and the view from it was amazing. The entrance to the hotel does not give away what is on the other side of the hotel. The hotel is right on the front of the Lake. There are a number of beds and umbrellas on the stony beach, available for hotel guest to use. There are also some mattresses that can be found in a cupboard on the beach to be used on the sunbeds to make them more comfortable. There are also towels in the room to be used on the beach, which is a nice touch. The bar area was being run by Enzo who introduced himself to us and asked our names too. He made us a wonderful latte which he finished off at our table by adding the coffee and saying it was being added with love. All the staff treat the guests with respect and in a joyful way, it feels like they are there because they wish to be rather than because they have to be. The guests are not a nuisances. Whilst we spent our one night there we noticed a number of people arrive and being welcomed as though they were returning customers, greeted like long lost family. the food was beautifully served, and plentiful. Guests are asked to complete a menu, early in the day, of what they would like for dinner in the evening. Dinner is served in the restaurant over looking the Lake, and guests are asked to enter the dining room from 7 until 8. It is a 4 course meal with a help yourself plentiful salad buffet to start, followed by 2 courses chosen by the guest, and then a set dessert. we certainly enjoyed the home made cannelloni, trout and a wonderful homemade tiramisu. We had drinks on the veranda before and after dinner, which was lovely. The hotel is about 10 minutes from Malcesine, by car, and is in a wonderful location. There are a number of types of room - rooms that accessed straight out onto the beach, with a veranda area to sit in, the other rooms were comfort, comfort plus and superior on the 1st and second floors, all with balconies so a view of the lake. There is also an indoor pool, but we did not use that. Being English we were definitely in the minority, but were not made to feel out of place. We will be back next year, and know we will spend our time laying on beds, drinking in the scenery and relaxing, such a little gem.