Diana - Malcesine, Italy 

My husband and I traveled to Malcesine for a friend's wedding, where we stayed for 2 nights. The wedding was our sole reason for coming to Malcesine, so we we were simply looking for a comfortable and convenient hotel to sleep in, and were not expecting loads of amenities. To start with the positive aspects, this hotel was very helpful with booking our airport transfers. We were able to do this easily and cheaply (20E per person round-trip) by email. While we could not book the hotel online, the staff was efficient and pleasant, and it was easy to book over the phone, with an immediate confirmation by email. The hotel is located only a 2 minute walk from the central bus station and tourist information center, meaning that it is very convenient to the center of town. Furthermore, the hotel's location up a small incline allows lake/mountain/castle views from the bedroom windows. Breakfast is included, and can be eaten in the shady garden. The garden is lovely and the breakfast is nice, if not spectacular. Finally the staff was friendly, offered us a map of the city on arrival, and helped us to get our bearings However, while the hotel met or exceeded our expectations in terms of location and convenience, the rooms were virtually uninhabitable in the 95 degree+ (37 C) weather. We are used to hotels not having air-conditioning, and could have tolerated this for 2 nights if there had been at least a portable fan or 2 to help with air circulation. As it was, we kept the windows open all day and night, and resorted to pouring water on ourselves throughout the night in a fruitless effort to cool down. Moreover, as another reviewer mentioned, church bells started ringing early in the morning meaning that when we did actually manage to get to sleep, we were woken by the bells. While the rooms were adequate-clean and comfortable, I would not stay in this hotel again in the summer unless air-conditioning units were added to the rooms.

Lake Garda, Italy: Hotel Diana, S. Zeno di Montagna, "An unknown treasure - Brilliant Discovery" Date: 15 August 2007 Reviewer: A TripAdvisor Member, Durham, UK My wife and I spent 10 days at Hotel Diana, in the village of S. Zeno di Montagna; not to be confused with other hotels near Lake Garda similarly named, and were delightfully surprised. We cannot understand why this 4 star hotel had not been previously posted on tripadvisor. The hotel is wonderfully maintained and run by a very helpful and friendly, but courteous sister and brother team named Stefania and Stefano. (I put the lady’s name first on instruction from my wife!) The partial lake view from our balcony was unbelievable and the temperature and climate at an elevation of around 600 Meters set above the middle of the east side of Lake Garda was perfect, unlike that at the lake side, which could be heavy and too hot. The pool and hotel grounds are ideally laid out and attractive with ample loungers and sitting areas. The meals were second to none. We were on the half board plan and breakfast was ample, with plenty variety including full continental plus hot bacon and egg as well if you’re a big eater. We always returned for our evening meal as there was always a delicious option and I’m a fussy eater. Besides, the crack with our multi lingual waiter Navid was too good to miss. Navid and all the staff worked tirelessly to ensure every guest had the best attention and service. The view from the restaurant is spectacular. However, there are plenty of good restaurants in the village for those who like variety. We pre-hired a compact car at Verona airport and the 40KM trip to the hotel took about 30 minutes. You don’t want a big car on these roads, but driving was great fun. We drove all round the lake and much further afield, including a visit to Venice, where my wife cleaned my wallet out. It took us about 1hr 40mins from the hotel, but I’m fairly slow. We checked out a few 4 star hotels round the lake, but none anywhere near compared with ours and most were far more expensive. It was also fairly congested at the lakeside resorts, but cycle and motorcycle dodging is fun. There are a multitude of attractions and sports and you can even take a mountain bike on a chair lift, then bike it (or walk it) down the mountain. Having travelled all round the world, we rarely return to a place already visited, but we will definitely return to Hotel Diana.