Nestling on the less touristy west side of the lake and enjoying spectacular water views are the Lake Garda Boutique Apartments. After stumbling across an old church whose buildings were in desperate need of some TLC, it took husband and wife duo Gianluca and Francesca two years to breathe new life into the place. Now they have 13 apartments across three locations, forming the perfect base from which to explore all the area has to offer. The main complex has seven stylish Lakeside Apartments on the banks of the lake, and a couple of handsome Old Rectory Apartments in an adjacent building, all boasting views either of Garda, the mountains or the nearby golf course and set in sprawling gardens with a heated pool.
The other two sites are 2-3km above (the vistas only get more impressive as you ascend the slopes) – Hillside Lodge in the Alto Garda Park also has its own swimming pool, the other is in the village of Fornico – with a pair of chic apartments in each location.
There's plenty to keep the active-minded occupied. On the lake itself there’s swimming, sunbathing, sailing, and watersports including kitesurfing and windsurfing; the mountainous backdrop is perfect for hiking or cycling, and there’s a golf course next door. And with the beaches and back alleys of bustling, picturesque Gargnano just a short stroll away, you have everything on your doorstep.
Highs
- Superb location – Gargnano's shops and markets are a 20-minute stroll away from the main complex and there’s a nearby ferry service to towns across the water
- Exceptional service - as well as catering to every need, Francesca and Gianluca are happy to provide recommendations and organise trips and transfers
- With a good range of one- or two-bedroom options, the apartments work for couples and families alike
- Kitchens come stocked with the essentials and you get a daily delivery of bread and croissants to your door (included in the rates)
- Thoughtful touches include a washing machine in each location, plus electric car chargers
Lows
- No onsite bar or restaurant, but each location has a pizzeria or trattoria within walking distance; locals say the best restaurants on the lake are in this area so you're spoiled for choice
- The Hillside and Fornico Apartments are a further 2-3km up the hill (better views!) so you'll to drive or rent e-bikes to get to the lake
- No pool at the Fornico Apartments (although guests can use the one at the Lakeside Apartments)
- Summer dates get booked early, and require weekly stays (Sat-Sat or Sun-Sun)
- Note there's a refundable EUR500 security deposit
Best time to go
Our top tips
The best view of the entire lake is from the top of the Monte Baldo cable car, which rises 1.5km and rotates along the way, with spectacular scenery on all sides. It is easily accessible from Malcesine town. If you're especially brave, at the top you can also go paragliding.
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.
- Boutique Apartments
- 13 apartments for 2-5
- Self-catering, walk to restaurants
- All ages welcome
- Closed: November until early March
- Heated Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Mid-week cleaning included
- English-speaking caretaker
- Shared washing machines
- Electric car charger
Main Complex (for 2-5)
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 gorgeous 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 Lodge (for 2-4)
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.
Fornico Apts (for 2-4)
Two kilometres away from the main complex, in the small village of Fornico, are the latest additions to the stable: two stylish split-level apartments created in a 16th-century church, one of the oldest buildings in the Gargnano area.
Both of the Fornico Apartments are spacious with a proper kitchen apiece, and a living room on the ground floor plus a bedroom and balcony on the first floor. One apartment (Kindness) also has a second bedroom for two people with an ensuite bathroom, and direct access to the shared stone courtyard. These are aimed at couples more than families.
Fresh bread and croissants are brought to your apartment every morning, while fresh organic milk, butter, coffee, tea, sugar and jam are supplied, and there's also a restaurant 100m down the road in Fornico. Although there's no pool, you can relax by the Lakeside Apartment pool in Gargnano.
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 except for Fornico Apartment Wisdom which is couples only. 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.
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
- Baby cots
- High chair
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities nearby:
For something completely different, kids – and grown-up kids – will love Gardaland, Italy's biggest theme park. It's vast and includes Gardaland Sea-Life and Legoland Waterpark
Families Should Know:
The Fornico apartments aren't ideal for families with small kids: they don't have a pool (guests can use the pool in the main complex); the bedrooms in Kindness are on two different floors so are for 12+ only guests. Note that the Hillside Lodge pool is unfenced; the Lakeside Apartments pool is fenced.
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.
Airports:
- Verona Villafranca Airport 70.0 km VRN
- Bergamo aka Orio al Serio International Airport 98.0 km BGY
Other:
- Beach 199.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests