Parc Hotel Gritti

A perfect choice

by TripAdvisor Member KnowAll

Just returned on 20th July and heartily endorse opinions of previous reviewers.
Undoubtedly the best hotel we have stayed at. Lovely courtyard gardens and landscaping. Rooms large very well furnished and equipped and no noise from adjoining rooms . Public areas plenty of seating and our teenaged sons made full use of the big pool! Appreciated air conditioning as was hot over our week's stay. Food of very high standard and we had been allocated the waiter service dining room, although part included buffet service for salad and dessert. (You can request to change to buffet style for one evening or for rest of stay if you choose to do so) Staff very friendly and helpful and extras like drinks and poolside grill bar very reasonable. Actually one of few times when it worked out considerably cheaper to go with a tour operator, especially with an internet booking discount, than DIY booking.

Location perfect both for 5 minute stroll along lake into Bardolino and ferry stop and for bus station. Bardolino itself pretty and lively and bustling in evening and ideally placed for all types of excursions.

Just a shame we didn't book for two weeks!

Somewhat disappointing

by TripAdvisor Member kaleg

I am sure that this hotel was a genuine 4* at one time but is sadly now struggling to meet that standard. The whole of the complex was tired and shabby looking and the decor together with the dense courtyard garden made it all seem so dismal. The buffet restaurant did not have a maitre d' which meant you were left to wander aimlessly up and down looking for a spare table, many of which were set out in rows with barely any room in between individual tables, thus allowing little privacy. We also noticed several tables 'reserved' for coach parties. Breakfast is served until 10am but we entered the restaurant at 9.25am to find earlier risers had eaten their way through the food on offer which was not then 'topped up'. There also seemed to be a shortage of staff as rooms were not ready when guests arrived and some workers were seen to be performing more than one job. Earlier reviews suggest that some folks found this hotel better than we did but having stayed in 4 and 5* hotels in many countries (including other areas of Italy) I was somewhat disappointed with this one.
The redeeming feature of our holiday was that Bardolino is lovely as is Lake Garda in general.

Absolutely Loved It

by TripAdvisor Member LesleykScotland

My husband and myself visited the Parc Gritti to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary and loved it. Okay, at 45 and 47 years of age, we might have been the youngest people there but it was lovely to lie at the beautiful poolside and not have to suffer blaring music and screaming kids, been there, done that, this was bliss. The food in the restaurant was first class and the maitre de had a great sense of humour as did the waiters and waitresses and very helpful. We were a bit disappointed that our room wasn't overlooking the courtyard as requested but we did overlook the front of the hotel and saw 2 weddings complete with bridal party and guests arriving in their fantastic cars. When walking out of the gates by the pool on to the road, the view of the lake and the boats is terrific and it is a 10 minute stroll to the centre with loads of cafes, bars and restaurants. If we had our chance again, we would still go to the Parc Gritti for our Silver Wedding, we have nothing but lovely memories.

Peace and tranquility

by TripAdvisor Member Alamar

Couldn't fault it. Excellent location only 10 mins leisurely stroll along the lakeside to the centre of lovely Bardolino. Hotel was spotless with the best shower I have encountered in a hotel for a long time. Rooms were spacious with plenty of storage and air conditioned. Food was excellent with a varied menu to suit all tastes. Staff were friendly and cheerful. There were plenty of loungers available around the large pool area and the bar area was excellent. We had such a good time I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this hotel to anyone and intend to return sometime soon.

Would go back

by TripAdvisor Member Sandiemac

When you find that many of the couples there (and to be fair most people were couples in the 50-70 age group) are repeat visitors this hotel has to be doing something right.

We usually go B&B but could only have half-board and resigned ouselves to 'wasting' our evening meal and going out to eat. It wasn't necessary. The dinners are excellent, especially in the (no extra charge) Gourmet restaurant. However, we felt the breakfasts could be improved by having someone actually cooking eggs to order in the dining room plus other choices such as pancakes. The hot food at breakfast looked extremely unappetising.

The hotel is clean and the staff are friendly. The receptionists are very competent in about 3 languages. The pool is a very good size. The hotel is built in a square, with an internal coutyard/garden, including an aviary, providing colour and birdsong. A short walk into Bardolino, from where you can get ferries and buses all over the area.

We would definitely go back

Cool on a Hot Day

by TripAdvisor Member Raksha

With outside temperatures exceeding 35C, the hotel was a pleasant haven of calm coolness. The more energetic guests used the beautiful outside pool, while the numerous well-padded loungers gave a comfortable rest in outdoor but shady places. There were places to sit and chat, enjoying the pleasant courtyard garden and water features. The adjustable airconditioning in each bedroom was superb. There was an enormous choice from the buffet (hot and cold foods) at each mealtime, with staff on hand if required. We couldn't have asked for a more comfortable and quiet hotel, although the open-air Piano Bar in the evening ensured we were not bored, with varied musical entertainment. Bardolino is a short walk along the lakeside from the hotel, a typical village tourist attraction with many shops and restaurants. Promenading along the lakeside of an evening is a must. Don't go to this hotel if you expect staff to jump at your every command, but do go if you expect good facilities, excellent food and comfort.

Really restful

by TripAdvisor Member cazza2708

This hotel is right on the lake, 5 minute walk to town and ferry, has a beautiful pool area, plenty of sunbeds and most of all - no rush for sunbeds in the morning. We could stroll out at midday and still have a choice of where to sit. When we were there last week it was just before the onslaught of school holidays so the place was full of older people and couples without any teenagers or young children- the hotel does not cater for children under 10 years of age. This meant that the pool area was not prone to shouting and splashing but was a really lovely place to be during the day. The hotel itself was excellent- good food, good service, friendly staff. the bedroom was a good size, with tea making facilities and all the usual requirements.
Only fault I can find was that they do not have porters for your luggage and they sent out a slim 18 year old girl to help us with ours. But she was very helpful and did her best. Also, no room service, but that wasn't really a problem. Would recommend the hotel and would certainly go there again.

Fantastic

by TripAdvisor Member Helen_owen2

Brilliant location for a top quality hotel. Couple of minutes from the town and literally across the road from the lake. We did a lot of walking and visiting other towns and we feel that this was definately one of the best hotels in the entire area, and the one most suited to us. We would definately go back there again. The rooms were spacious, even though there were 3 teenage girls in one room, and they had balconies and en-suites and air conditioning and huge double wardrobes. The pool and sunbed areas were brilliant as shade was provided and boy did we need it, it got very very hot, apparently no-one could remember it that hot! We were half board so breakfast and dinner were included in the price. We were a bit dubious of hotel buffet food, you hear all sorts of stories of food poisioning, but i can honestly say the selection and variety of food was amazing and absolutely delicious! No-one got ill, so that got rid of that phobia, and we had fantastic meals everyday we ate there, and the desserts are not to be missed! The staff were friendly and most spoke some level of english. We loved this hotel so much we are planning another trip there soon!

ITALY JUNE 2000

by unbeldi

"Arrival Milan, Italy"

June 23, 2000 we departed Dulles on Sabena flight #536 at 6:40pm. Arrived Brussels at 8:15am and departed Brussels at 10:35a.m. arrived Milan 12:05pm. Took the train to Hotel Diana Majestic. Visited Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle and La Scala.

Saturday: Visited Pazza del Duomo and the Duomo Museum. Made reservations to visit S. Marie delie Grazie(last supper) Had a nice lunch and nap. We kept out reservation to see the Last Supper. I was really impressed with the size and beauty. I should have realized anything that Michael Angelo did would always be impressive.

Sunday: Well, I awoke with a stomach problem that was the worst I have ever experienced. Well, we had planed on picking up the car and driving to Stresa so I got myself in working order and gathered my emergency supplies and we walk to Avis to pick up the car. It was a beautiful day and away we went to the AutoStrassa and up to the lake Maggiorie.

Monday: We were off by 10am to Pisa by way of Riomaggiore & Venazza. We missed the turn to Riomaggiore so away to Pisa. Visited the tower and had a lunch.
Off we went to find the villa Relais Chiare e Lorenzo near Pontassieve outside of Florence. We followed the directions but could not believe the road went to any destination except a dead end. After several false stops we arrived at the Villa.
Not a memorable experience, in fact the place was really misrepresented on the Internet site. Our first disappointment but we will made do.

Tuesday: After breakfast we drove into Pontassive and caught the train to Florence. Visited Academia, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi, Duoma & Museum. Well, Again, Michael Angelos David was the height of beauty on this really hot day. Thank goodness for my umbrella and bottles of water. Had a wonderful lunch at an outdoor restaurant. Back to the rail station and train to Pontassieve. To the car park and up on the mountain to Villa Relais???

Wednesday: On the road early to Tuscany Hill Towns. First Duomo, Piazza del Campo and on to Monteriggioni a fortified hill town. This was one of my most pleasant hill towns. After lunch we were on the road again to S. Gimignano and visited many beautiful churches etc. A very pleasant ends for the day.

Thursday: After breakfast we were off to Arezzo and on to Monte S. Savino(not impressive. We stopped in Chianti for lunch and tasting. I bought some wine carriers. Many hill towns on return to Pontassieve and Villa Relais.

Friday: Up before early and skipping breakfast we loaded our bags and said avertishie to the Villa Relais.
We stopped at an AutoGrill and had a wonderful breakfast. This was a drive from hell through the mountains on an AutoStrass. We arrived Mantova before lunch and visited the Palazzo Ducale. After lunch we motored to Verona and checked in at Hotel Porta Palio. We walked toward the center of Verona and stopped at a wonderful restaurant for a wonderful lunch and lots of bottled water(cold). We walked through the business section and had an ice cream. Jim stopped at a BarberShop and got a hair cut. We walked back to Hotel Porta Palio and had a wonderful nap. We decided to walk back down town and eat near the Arena and listen to the music from the first performance of the Verona Opera Season. Well, we had a great dinner but at 9pm the curtain had not gone up on the Opera. We gave up and walked back to the hotel for an early evening.

Saturday: We drove to Vicenza and visited Castelfranco Vento. After lunch we headed for Asolo and the Hotel Villa Cipriani. This was one of the most outstanding hotels in the world. We decided to have lunch in their restaurant. $50 each fixed price menu. The little town of Asolo was a very unique hill town.

"Depart Milan, Italy"

Sunday: We were off to Venice for two nights in the great Gritti Palace on the Grand Canal. We found the car park and checked in the Avis travel mobile. Off on the water shuttle to Hotel Gritti Palace. We found a wonderful restaurant (air-conditioned) and had a wonderful lunch(Trattoria Do Forni, S. Marco, Calle Specchieri 468/457 tel. 0415232148-Fax 0415288132. We returned to the same restaurant for a wonderful dinner. We stopped in St. Marks Square for a coffee and listen to the bands.

Monday: We visited the Doge’s Palace early before the heat and tourist arrived. Back to the Gritti for a nap and people watching. We had the maitre'd pickup first class train tickets to Milan for Tuesday.

Tuesday: We shopped and checked out of the Gritti. Took a water taxi to the Venice rail station to catch our train to Milan. We arrived Milan at 5pm. Checked into Hotel Princepe de Savoy. We took off after a shower to the shopping arcade near La Scala (Duomo). Took the Metro to the rail station and had a dinner in one of the cafeterias.

"Hot farwell to Italy - Never to return in the summ"

Wednesday: July 5, 2000 up at 4:00am and took a taxi to Malensa Airport to catch our 6:40am fligh t to Brussels and departing Brussels on Sebena Flight 535 departing 11:05am arriving Dullas at 1:45pm.