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This is a special place. Stunning property, meticulously maintained and managed, with genuinely warm service (not universally the case with 5* in Italy). Expensive but you get what you pay for. It’s superb. Only downside is that it’s a historic property and you need to accept - ideally, welcome - its quirks. But the things that matter - plumbing, electrics and HVAC - all work faultlessly.

Upon our arrival we were led to a room which was stinking badly of mould. I started looking for the source and soon discovered that all walls were mouldy, some of the biggest patches covered with furniture or bed. We were shocked and immediately asked the receptionist to change our room as being in these conditions is extremely hazardous to health, even for people who are not allergic to mould (my partner is). We couldn't believe that a 4 star hotel or any kind of hotel would have rooms like that and show them to guests. These rooms should be completely torn down/renovated. Luckily we got a different room, the situation there was better. However, it was still not a 4 star hotel experience: hotel and the room smells really bad (probably old irrigation systems and old furnishings). Bathroom doors wasn't closing (would open by itself, really romantic). To get to bed you would need to climb wooden stairs which were squeeky and loud, which doesn't work for nightly toilet visits. The floors were very low so you couldn't walk straight up in the bedroom. The roof window had a broken ”curtain” so it was always closed, hence it was always dark. There was no net from insects on the window, so you would always have some mosquitos in the room or other bugs. It wasn't as quiet as expected, as the hotel is right by the busy road so you would need earplugs to sleep with a window open at night. Breakfast: good for people who eat sweet breakfast. Not so good for people who eat continental breakfast, because there was almost no choice. You had bacon, watery scrambled eggs, watery boiled eggs and some tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, ham. It would have been satisfactory had the eggs were done properly, but they were always undercooked/almost raw, so as I didn't want to get ill I chose not to eat that and survived on veggies. Staff was nice and friendly, the view from the window absolutely beautiful, but that does not really recompensate for the overall poor state of the facilities.

Golden, indeed, was our experience. The small hotel is situated in a quiet location right at the lake shore, adjacent to a tiny harbour. Gardone Riviera is in walking distance and Salo' just a short car ride away. The services provided were superb. The polyglot staff was friendly, helpful, competent and efficient, to mention a few: Elisabetta at the reception, Marina with her team at the sumptuous breakfast buffet, Christian at the bar and ubiquitous Stefano with his team in the lakefront restaurant and (weather permitting) on the panoramic terrace. The food was not just delicious but artistically presented by chef de cuisine Vincenzo. Those who plan to visit the area around Salo' and Gardone Riviera a stay in this hotel is highly recommended.