Garda Sporting Club Hotel

Mixed experience at this establishment with many advantages on paper. Good location, concept around sports very attractive for fans of swimming, tennis, squash, and fitness. While the outdoor pool and the tennis courts live up to all their promises, my opinion on the rest is more mixed. First of all, the welcome during check-in was quite cold. The staff cruelly lacks smiles and does not give the impression of being there for your comfort. For tennis fans, expect to have to fend for yourself to find a coach. Information is provided at the front desk with an awkward feeling of bothering them. I advise you to ask to get in touch with Elia. Excellent coach. Very friendly and professional. You will not find any way to find a partner either (no contact book). Court reservations are made at the bar, however. Here again, the staff's lack of enthusiasm is a bit discouraging. As for the rest, you can really feel that the complex is starting to show its age. As for the rooms, the bedding is very comfortable. You will not find a box of tissues or anything to make yourself a coffee (but a tea, yes... Go figure). For a 4-star, it is quite incomprehensible. Nice little extra: the pool bag is provided. Which is very practical. I would gladly skip the details regarding the dilapidated state of certain equipment. On the other hand, not feeling welcome is really what bothered me the most (except with Elia, the tennis coach, but who is external to the hotel).

Used by outsiders for pool access. Changing rooms and showers are dilapidated and very dirty. They even allow smoking and dogs in the pool areas.

The hotel itself is great. The gym is more than sufficient for a good work out. The three pools will keep the kids busy. The food at the bar is good, as is the breakfast buffet. It’s in a good location, 10 mins from the town, 15 from the beach. The lake is amazing, lots of fun activities to keep all the family occupied. My only gripe with this hotel is the staff. They are at best unresponsive, at worst downright rude. They are clearly overworked. It was busy while we stayed and the staff were rushed off their feet. They didn’t seem to have enough staff to cover busy periods and the staff they did have seemed to always be working. Everything you asked for was met with an exasperated look, like it was all too much effort. I’m not that bothered about good service so it didn’t impact my experience of the hotel or of Lake Garda but if you do expect a high standard of service this is not the place for you.