I stayed at Arzaga the last weekend. The hotel is a member of The Small Leading Hotels of the World; this association is confirmed by the quality of the services.
At the arrival, in order to enter into the property, there is a gate where a member of the staff ask your name.
Passing this check point, you have to drive for about 200 mt. in order to arrive at the hotel's entrance.
When I arrived at the entrance, 3 members of the staff went out to welcome me, calling me by name (the guardian informed them about my arrival): a guy opened the door of my car and offered to park the car and take care of our luggage, another man opened my wife's door, a woman enterd with us into the hotel in order to check in. I think this the welcome that a 5 star hotel guest expects.
Since the hotel was nearly empty (it's the end of the season) they upgraded us from a classic to a deluxe room (despite we had a very very chep rate). The room was nice, even not so big: a comfortable double bed, an LCD TV, 2 armchairs, a desk with another chair, a minibar (with acceptable prices) and a quiet big bathroom, with 2 separate areas: in the first there were the bathtub (with the shower) and a ; in the second there were the WC and a bidet. Product's bathroom were ETRO. They left some chocolate in the room in the afternoon.
The building, a palace of the 15th century, is very well kept.
The property, located in a very calm area, is amazing. There are two golf courses designed by jack Nicklaus (and a training camp with teachers), 2 swimming pools (one outdoor and one, heated, (30°) indoor).
There is a beuatiful SPA by Clarins, where my wife had a wonderful Stone Therapy, and 2 restaurants: one, beautiful, adjacent to the golf courses (where there is also a big golf shop), and the other, elegant and more formal, open for breakfast and dinner with a good selection of food (but we didn't eat there, so I can't judge it).
There are also 2 tennis courts and a big park for walking or jogging.
Close to the reception there is a wonderful room where every morning I could find some newspapers (at the check in, they asked me if I wanted some newspapers to be sent in my room in the morning and they offered to suggest me some restaurants in the zone, in case of need).
All in all, I'm a frequent 5 star hotel guest and I have to say that is always harder to find hotels that offers a level of the services in line with their promises.
Palazza Arzaga met all my expections: thanks for its wonderful staff and facilities, it can ensure a real 5 star experience.

Only one restaurant, miles from the lake, not courtesy travel, no cabs to get anywhere. I agree that the hotel is beautiful and the surroundings peaceful, but how can they claim to be a 5 star hotel when they only have 1 restaurant. And no shorts allowed. It's over 30 degrees and you have to dress up to have dinner. They don't have any courtesy trips, don't have any bus to drop you down to the lake. If you have a car, you can travel to other restaurants, but then you can't enjoy the good local wine.

Palazzo Arzaga is a great place to stay for a long weekend when you are looking to get away from everybody and everything. The location is slightly off the beaten track and the surrounds are the golf courses, farmland, and the local fields. There are no rooms with back street views and there is never the sound of a motorcycle zipping by at 3am revving the engine. My kind of Heaven. So many 5 stars are in the middle of towns (and glamorous towns) - but the pressure to sight-see, dress up etc follow you on your holiday. Palazzo Arzaga is not that kind of hotel.

Palazzo Arzaga was originally a house - and not a hotel - so it does not have that square box boring hotel feel. The breakfast is outside in the inner courtyard (not some side sunroom as with many large hotels!) and the inviting little study rooms have daily newspapers.

Ok - I agree the breakfast buffet isn't really up to scratch - but I'm quite simple and don't require 4 different muesli choices. And the dinner good but not great. (Well, mine was great but my boyfriend's was over salted) - but taking everything in stride the place is super friendly and calming. The hidden gem is the lunch on the golf terrace. The food there was better than our dinner!

The golf is the best bit. It's not a PGA or a Masters course, but it is very well kept and the Golf Club is PART of the hotel. Is there anything worse than going to a Golf Resort and the 'curtesy' bus has to take you to the golf course?! The Club holds your bags for the duration of your stay. And because it's is a proper golf club and it is on site (not an 'associated' nearby golf course) they are completely flexible. You can play the front nine in the morning, take a nap by the pool, eat a late lunch, then play the back nine. No problem. Heaven.

Oh- and there is a large driving range too! And a pro on site for lessons......

The standard double rooms are quite small. The larger executive rooms are more spacious and have lovely views.

If you don't mind asking for your coffee refills, waiting the extra 5 minutes to get served then you'll really like this place!

My opinion is that the amenities have the potential to be 5 star - they just need a few more staff and some more attention to the 'slicker' details. But for the sake of peace and quiet teamed up with the feeling of being in a house rather than a hotel - this place is fabulous.

I've been to golf hotels around the world and surely this does not compare with the glamorous resorts (e.g. Le Tousserok) but it is really a step above the large block hotels with attached courses in Portugal. The proximity to the Lago di Garda, the opera in Verona, and the ease of the golfing makes this a smart, relaxing weekend retreat......

Amazing 15th century restored building. We had an executive room in the main house, which was a good size and well appointed. Golf couses are OK (but no better than that) the best 9 (27 holes in total) is the Gary Player. Restaurant expensive and probably not worth it. Better to go to Desenzano del Garda (10 minutes drive) and all the restaurants there.
Every member of the hotel staff we met were great - very helpful and professional.
Would be happy to recommend and will visit again.