Lake Garda Boutique Apartments

Main Complex

The main complex has nine apartments, found across two neighbouring historic buildings – a former Sunday school house and a priest's house next door to the church – on the outskirts of Gargnano. Each apartment has 1-2 bedrooms and has been individually designed in cool, neutral tones with an emphasis on family luxe. These can accommodate between 2-5 people (all bar one have a sofabed), perfect for couples and families; groups can book adjacent apartments.

Four of the seven Lakeside Apartments have their own private patio, garden or roof terrace; all have chic kitchenettes in open-plan dining-living spaces, most with smart tiles or woodwork in black, and look onto pretty gardens with the lake beyond. We felt right at home in Happiness, which has two comfortable bedrooms and a large sunsoaked terrace with fabulous views.

The Old Rectory has two gorgeous one-bedroom apartments. Both of these look over the lake and golf course, have their own private outside space, and share a garden with table and chairs. These come with full kitchens as well as open-plan living areas. You can book both together to make a two-storey, two-bedroom lodge with 2 living areas & kitchenettes, plus private terraces.

All nine apartments receive fresh bread and croissants each morning; you'll find jam, butter, organic milk, water, coffee capsules, sugar and tea in the kitchenettes on arrival. All the accommodations share a sparkling heated pool, spectacular Alpine views, and a lovely garden with loungers and plenty of tables and chairs for al fresco dining.

Hillside & Gargnano Apts

Three kilometres away, high above the Lake in Alto Garda Park, lies the serene Hillside Lodge featuring two beautifully furnished apartments, each with a bedroom, living room and kitchenette. The building has been completely renovated and updated with a design ethos that marries rustic charm to modern glam. But, to be honest, it’s not the interiors you’ll be looking at.

Perched above Gargnano, both apartments have jaw-dropping panoramic views over the water and the mountains beyond. Just outside there’s a landscaped garden with overhanging olive trees as well as a spacious sun terrace, BBQ area and solar-heated swimming pool (the entire building is energy self-sufficient).

As with the other apartments, fresh bread and croissants will be delivered every morning, and the basics (tea, coffee, organic milk, butter, sugar and jam) are supplied for you on arrival. With each apartment sleeping 2-4 people, they’re great for couples and families – although larger groups may hire the whole place for the ultimate Italian (and Instagram) get-together.

Also three kilometres away from the main complex, the Gargnano Apartments are in the delightful lakeshore town of Gargnano itself. These two newly refurbished, contemporary first floor apartments work brilliantly for those who don't want to drive: right on the harbour with good lake views, and an easy walk to shops, restaurants, ferry and bus. Two-bedroom Kindness has a private balcony with table and chairs, while one-bedroom Wisdom comes with beautiful original ceilings.

Kitchens in both have induction hobs, microwaves and coffee-makers, and you'll find organic butter, marmalade, coffee, sugar, milk, water and a bottle of wine in the refrigerator. There's no bread service here but at check-in you get a voucher for your first breakfast in a local coffee shop, where you can sit in front of the lake with morning cappuccino and croissants. There's access to a shared laundry room plus use of an SUP. If you are driving, there's a public car park 500m away and some spaces around the harbour itself; you can unload by the building.

Activities

• Steep yourself in history from the impressive Scaliger Castle to the ruins at Grotte di Catullo, the castle at Malcesine and Il Vittoriale degli Italiani, former home of poet d’Annunzio
  
• Lake Garda is a haven for outdoor pursuits: hire a kayak, paddleboard or private boat and explore the lake, or follow mountain trails to secret villages and epic viewpoints
  
• Visit Limone sul Garda, a pretty lakeside town known for its abundance of lemon trees and a walking/cycle path raised above the water
  
• The town of Salo is also worth wandering around for an afternoon. You'll find plenty of great restaurants and a couple of very interesting museums full of local history
  
• The picturesque 18-hole Bogliaco Golf Club, one of Italy's oldest, is a 15-minute walk from the main complex

Kids

Children of all ages are very welcome here and will love the beautiful lake and beaches nearby, the heated swimming pools and the gardens. Saying this, the owner will sometimes cap how many children can stay at one time in order to keep a peaceful atmosphere. Note there are no extra beds but several apartments have sofabeds, and there are baby cots which are free of charge.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

All apartments can take additional kids. One-bedroom apartments have sofabeds for an additional child or two. The two-bedroom apartments are ideal, as the second bedroom in all cases is a twin (except Lakeside Apartment Heart which has a second kingsize bed). Lakeside Apartment Beauty has two bedrooms and a sofabed so can house a family of 5. Larger families or two families travelling together should take Hillside Lodge (Old Vine and Olive Tree) in its entirety which can sleep 4 adults and 4 children in total and has its own dedicated solar-heated pool. Note that the two Gargnano harbourside apartments only accept kids over 8 so are probably better suited to couples.

Cots Available

Distances:

• Airport: 1hr 20m (Verona)
• Hospital: 40 minutes
• Shops: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

In the north of Italy in the foothills of the Alps, Lake Garda is the largest lake in the country. Lake Garda Boutique Apartments are found in and above the town of Gargnano, on the west bank of the lake, which lies directly on the water.

See all properties on a Google map

By Air:
The apartments are easily reachable from Verona airport 35km away. You can also fly to Bergamo or Milan, about a two-hour drive.

From the Airport:
At Verona, a shuttle service can take you to the train station where there are direct links to the lake. You can of course self-drive from any airport; see our car rental recommendations – and car charging is available on site. Each location has its own private parking space.

Getting Around:
Getting around the various towns on the lake is easy as there are numerous buses and ferries so a car may be useful but not essential, note that taxis can be expensive however. Of the Gargnano, Bogliaco and Maderno ferry ports, Maderno is also a car ferry.

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