I am a sucker for a good hotel pool and spa. I could spend the entire day lounging, reading books, dipping in and out of the pool, maybe indulging in a spritz. And the thought of doing this lakeside in Italy? Dreamy.
The first thought of a serene location to live out my relaxation fantasy was Lake Garda. Obviously Lake Garda is full of wonderful hotels with impressive offerings, so it can be overwhelming to choose one. However, I can happily report back I now have a wonderful Lake Garda hotel recommendation to share. It is ideal for anyone looking to experience il dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing. AKA: total relaxation. Keep reading to learn about my review of A-ROSA Lago di Garda.
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Gorgeous Property and Cozy Rooms
Upon entry, I was immediately obsessed with the aesthetic of the hotel. It’s a German brand and you can tell the amount of attention they give to the small details. To put it simply: it’s a 5-star hotel without a stuffy attitude.
There are flowers, plants, and bright colors everywhere; it immediately put a smile on my face. I also appreciated how spacious it felt. There are so many spots to lounge, have a drink, read, chat with friends. There’s a type of communal element that is very warm.
We arrived at twilight and swiftly checked-in (and given a beautiful rose). The staff was lovely and gave us a tour of the hotel, explaining all of its amenities, and then guided us to our room. I snapped some pictures around the property and I think the beauty speaks for itself!
The room was the perfect size for a couple and the sliding doors opened up to an outdoor garden with a private lounge area. To be honest, my favorite part of the room was the enormous bathtub – complete with all of the bathroom goodies from Rituals, one of my favorite brands!
On-Site Trattoria
If you choose to eat at the on-site trattoria, you’ll be given a pre-fixe menu where you will choose a starter, first, and second. We each ordered a different dish, so we could sample more. 😉
Before our dishes came, we were invited to head to the salad bar. I usually find a restaurant salad bar extremely underwhelming. Not here. As you enter the room you’ll find multiple tables full of delicious offerings: all types of cheeses, nuts, grilled vegetables, breads, and then a salad bar.
Our plates arrived and my stomach was sufficiently satisfied. As you can see, the portions are fair and the food…you’ll just have to taste it for yourself. My vote? Delicious.
After dinner, you can head to another counter to choose from the dessert options. A white chocolate mousse was calling my name… Overall, the dinner was 35€ per person, beverages excluded. For the quality, I was extremely impressed and thought this was a steal of a price.
The Pool and Spa
The next morning we slept in and then enjoyed breakfast, which is a large buffet with plenty of options. You can eat inside or out, so I naturally chose a sunny spot to munch of my eggs and sip a cappuccino.
Then, I was confronted with my biggest decision of the day: which pool to go to? Wow, tough life, right? The benefit of this Lake Garda hotel is you have not one, but two pools.
At either pool, it is quite easy to find a seat – there are a mix of lounge chairs and umbrellas both inside and outside. If you’re like me, you may want to choose the lower level pool with easy sauna access.
Oh, did I mention there are FOUR saunas? Each one offering a slightly different benefit or theme. And, for those brave enough, there is a cold plunge in the sauna relaxation area as well!
For any non-Europeans reading this: don’t be shocked if your fellow guests are meandering the sauna area in the nude – it’s the norm here. If it makes you uncomfortable, all I can offer up is grabbing a shot of grappa from the bar, loosening up, and leaning into the culture.
If you’re thirsty or hungry, don’t worry, there is a station with fresh fruit, a variety of teas, and flavored waters to help yourself to. In case you are needing something of more substance, you can grab lunch at one of the on-site restaurants or stands.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience at the A-ROSA. I think it is now my favorite Lake Garda hotel! I will absolutely plan on coming back to enjoy a relaxing pool day at this tranquil escape.
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