On arrival we were taken to a lift which took us to the 1st floor. We then followed the receptionist down several corridors to a flight of stairs and were told that our room was on the 3rd floor, there was no lift and we would have to carry our heavy bags up 2 flights of stairs.We were not impressed and it was not the best start to our stay! However, we found our room, when we finally got there, to be very clean, if a bit basic. Our room was at the back of the hotel and very quiet. Breakfast was fine and service very good. The best thing about the hotel was it's location - overlooking a small picturesque harbour in a pedestrianised area and very central. Desenzano isn't the prettiest town on the lake - I think Sirmione wins that hands down, but in Desenzano's favour is it's fantastic transport links. Ferries go everywhere on the lake and the train - a 20 minute uphill walk to the station - goes to Milan, Verona and Venice, we found public transport to be very clean, efficient and punctual.
We did miss not having any outdoor space at the hotel where we could spend the odd lazy afternoon on a sun lounger with a good book! However all in all we had a wonderful holiday

This is a hotel in an amazing location, right on the old harbour. I expected noise as a result of its location, but I hardly slept in 2 weeks. As a single traveller, you almost always get a bad room, despite paying a supplement. Room 6 overlooks an alley which is used for parking motorbikes and scooters, It is a popular thoroughfare for people, and the local bars store recycling bins in it. The noise of voices, glass being chucked into the bins, and bar / restaurant / hotel trolleys rattling along the alley continued until 1.30am at least. The noise starts early, by about 6am. The problem was that the room had only single-glazed windoiws, and they were badly fitting. It was as if there was no window there. It needs double-glazing. In the bathroom, the window is clear glass! So people can see in unless you put a towel over the window. The washhand basin had a broken mechanical plug. The person on reception was not interested.

To be fair, everyone in the other rooms seemed not to have the window problems and had some sound insulation.

The hotel could have been perfect but the useless windows ruined it. My advice, refuse Room 6!

location on edge of the old harbour was stunning.The hotel was spotlessly clean and the continental breakfast was more than adequate. The lady at reception during the evening was very pleasant and helpful. Pity about the ladies toilet in the dining room being out of action for almost a week.

Our first time to Lake Garda and we'll be back. Hotel Piroscafo is an ideally situated, friendly family owned hotel. Breakfast overlooking the old harbour was delightful. Bed and pillow a little hard for us so sleep wasn't as good as it would have been otherwise. That aside a very comfortable stay and we'd bhappily return. A good value for money hotel.