We took an autumn break centred on Desenzano, having toured this area the previous year during the summer. We had spotted this hotel along with a couple of others on the lake front and close to the centre of the town. We chose Hotel Vittorio based upon availability of a room with a lake view, location (proximity to the ferry landing and bars etc), and price.
The hotel delivered on all points, and the view from our 3rd floor room was really good - directly overlooking the yacht marina, and 5 minutes from the ferry landing and restaurants. The room was quite modern and well maintained, and always well cleaned each day. There was a fridge and safe in the room, and the bathroom was okay (shower only). The decor of the hotel is quite dated, especially the public areas, but this can be forgiven for the location.
Breakfast was very good - a choice of hot and cold, plus the traditional cakes that seems to be a tradition in this area.
On Tuesday there is an open market in Desenzano - and the 'food' section sets up directly outside the hotel. The market is huge, and really interesting with some good quality goods such as leather items - and the food is outstanding. Just be aware that on Tuesday mornings you may be disturbed as the set-up starts around 6am.
The reception staff were quite helpful with timetables etc, and booking taxis, and in general spoke good English.
The only negative points were that the hotel doesn't have it's own bar, nor is there anywhere to get a cup of coffee in the hotel (including the rooms). There is a restaurant adjoining the hotel (it was owned by the hotel until last year), and hotel guests are offered a discount to eat there (we didn't as the food didn't seem too great).
As the hotel is in the centre, there is no parking close to the hotel (it didn't affect us), although there is a car park within 5 minutes walk.
Overall, the hotel offers good value, and we would stay here again.

Our fifth visit to this little gem. Well stuated on the lake front with fantastic views and a few minutes walk to the lake boats and many super restaurants.
Run by a small group of long serving staff with highly personal service - not missing the loveable eccentric night porter or the best served 'cafe latte' around.
.Rooms have recently had fridges added.

Desenzano well placed to visit the other lake towns by boat or the many places from Venice to Milan - it 's station is on the main rail line.

The hotel is in a lovely location, just feet away from the harbour and the Ferries. Good choice of restaurants within walking distance. But most of all the staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful. The rooms were very comfortable and we had a balcolny overlooking the harbour. There is a full market on a tuesday which evolved like magic. I woke up at 5.30 (due to my normal body clock) and looked out the window and there were a few people mulling around. Then I went to the shower and within half an hour, I looked out the window again and there was a market the stretched for ages, and I did not hear a thing. Because I love markets I prolonged my trip accross to Garda for an hour or two. Breakfast was good, with attentive staff who spoke very good english. The restaurant attached to the hotel (although owned by different people) gave you a discount if you let them know you were staying at hotel vittorio. This hotel made our holiday as enjoyable as you could wish it too. I would definitley recommend this to all my friends and would go back there if I went back to the south of Lake Garda in the future.
Lorraine and Steve Jarvis (young couple in their 50's)

Our travels took us to Desenzano this summer as we decided we wanted to go on holiday on a tour - we normally wouldn't choose a tour, due to the simple fact that you don't know who you're going to end up with for the next seven or so days, however on this occassion we tried our luck (& didn't regret it) as we fancied something different & didn't want the hassle of having to plan the trip ourselves.
The tour was one which consisted visits to 3 theme parks - Gardaland, Canevaworld & Movieland, a day trip to Venice, Verona & other places in the vicinity of Lake Garda, hence why I think this hotel was chosen for us as it was a great base to start and stop from.
Even if you're travelling on your own it's easy to get around using various modes of transport - car, bike (very popular - the hotel has some bikes for rent which are free of charge to hotel guests) and also the water boat or express catamaran..which was literally 2 mins walking distance from our hotel.
Hotel Vittorio is a cute little hotel right in the centre, it's surrounded by restaurants & cafe's - we recommed trying out a 'Pirlo' & nibbling on the bites that will be brought with it (a 'Pirlo' is a great Aperol based drink served in tall wine glasses - you'll see many people sat outside drinking these orange drinks - this will be it - we were instantly hooked).
There's an information office just round the corner where you can pick up your normal maps & what to do, where to go & what to see leaflets, the girl who was working there was very helpful.
Of course if you know how to speak the language it's a great plus, however don't worry if you don't, English is used as well by most.
As for the hotel decor, it is a bit old fashioned & could do with a lick of fresh paint, but other than that I had no complaints, the rooms were clean & we had daily maid service (the maids were very friendly as were all the hotel staff).
We were booked on half board basis which was quite good. Breakfast is a buffet style, very nice & lots to choose from, the serving times are decent too. As for dinner, we'd eat in the same area we had breakfast in, I'm not sure if this was an agreement our agency had with the hotel or if it's like this for all residents, however our meals were always set, there wasn't a choice in the evening, - we'd start with (normally) a pasta based starter & then for the main we'd have a type of meat with either a side salad or vegetables. The food was very very good, however if you're a big eater I'm not sure that you'd be full by the end of the meal (we'd also have desert which normally consisted of icecream or fruit salad), however for myself & partner it was just right.
There is a very large open market right on the door step of the hotel once a week - and as I mentioned earlier the water boat/catamaran is minutes walking distance from the hotel.
As for night life there's not much close by, a few bars & that's about it, but I'm sure if you ask at the info place there would be somewhere where you could go by taxi.
At one point we were looking for a grocery where we could buy some water & nibbles to keep in the room - we managed to find 2 small shops in the vicinity which sold every day necessities. Shops tend to stay open late if the weather is nice (roughly till 10pm) which does come in handy if you've been out all day.
The hotel does offer internet facilities at a small charge per every 15 minutes, it's good if you just want to have a quick look at your emails or check something out, but can be a bit slow.
Television & aircon is available in the room also - do I recommend this hotel? - Yes..would I go back again? Definately :)