Just returned from a week at The Antonella. Access via steps not a problem for us, but may not be so good for elderly visitors though there is a lift. All areas of the hotel very clean and well maintained. Rooms are very simple but functional. Beds are very firm and pillows are like bricks, but you sort of get used to them. Shower room fine. Plenty of hot water and nice soft bath towels, changed several times in the week. There is no air-con, which we surprisingly did not miss as the weather was very warm all week. Think a front facing room may have been more of a problem as in full sun. Our room (109) was on the side overlooking the lovely pool area. Only problem was that the pool has a constantly running cascade which is surprisingly noisy and for 2 nights of our stay, the hotel did not turn off the water supply, so it ran all night and we had sleepless nights. The hotel is not manned overnight after 11.30 so you could not ask anyone to resolve the problem. There was no noise problem at all when the water as turned off. We did not notice road or other guest noise at all. there is a safe in the room chafed at €5 for the week ( your set your own PIN code). Pool towels were available at €1 each per week. The pool area is great, lots of nice loungers, shower room and WC in pool area. Pool is not heated, but in hot weather it is nice and refreshing - again beautifully clean and well kept. There are 2 routes into Malcesine. The quickest along the road (quite busy and some parts no pavement) takes less than 10minutes to the town centre. The lake side route is lovely but takes a little longer and involves quite a few flights of stairs through a litle park/garden area. (you need to turn left from the hotel and walk along the road for a few minutes until you see a a gate in the wall across the road. There are quite a few cafes / restaurants along this stretch too if you don't want to go all the way to town. There is also a private run ferry that goes across to Limone for just €8 return.
Breakfast at The Antonella is served from 8 to 9:30. Simple continental style (nothing hot). Sliced meats and cheeses, breads, cakes and pastries. Lovely fresh fruit salad and creamy natural yoghurt and usual array of continental cereals. Weak fruit juices out of a chiller. Hot drinks from a machine that take ages to dispense so always a queue. Toaster was completely useless and only warmed the bread. But you sort or work round all that and make the most of the good bits which was nice enough. We were on a Half board deal, but we ate out every night, so I cannot comment on the food, but I have not doubt the other reviewers were correct about it being good. Personally we did not like the idea of a single mass sitting at 7pm and all the other guests were older people who all seemed to like to socialise, and I am afraid that is not our cup of tea. We enjoyed exploring Malcesines and finding restaurants in the winding back streets to make more of the evenings. Our favourite was called Mignon ( fantastic bruschetta and lovely pasta dishes.). All in all the hotel was a great base for our super holiday at Lake Garda. Better pillows would have improved the stay considerably...but I guess that is a minor detail.
- Antonella Hotel Malcesine
