Hotel Villa Delle Rose, Arco

We arrived by coach to find we were not expected, the hotel had apparently be closed for 3 weeks, it was cold to start with and there was a problem with the heating. food was very bad, poor reflection on Italian cuisine. First morning we ran out of tea bags in dining room and no tea/coffee facilities in rooms. Was classed as all inclusive but even the machine that was used for tea and coffee was shut down at 10pm and not on again until 7am next day. At breakfast on our last morning the rolls were so dry, the middle just crumbled into powder and, despite daily visits by the chambermaid, we ran out of toilet paper in our room. Unfortunately I could go on and on about this hotel.

The Hotel Ville Delle Rosa. The room allocated to us was brilliant – and the room service was first class but alas – that’s where it ended. This was not what I would class as a ‘Holiday Hotel’ in my 56 years – it was the most unwelcoming place that I have ever stayed at. The food was abysmal and the all-inclusive drinks were a joke. There was a lovely spacious, comfortable lounge in the basement which was only open on one night, despite the fact that for the first four evenings the weather was atrocious, preventing any chance of leaving the premises for a walk around Arco, this lounge remained closed and guests were expected to scramble for the few seats in the reception area (which has the ambience of a dentists waiting room) or sit outside under the entrance veranda. It was quite obvious that they didn’t actually want people to stay and relax on the premises not only because of the inadequate seating arrangements but also because of the alleged ‘All Inclusive Drinks’. I lost count of how many times I had to go ‘Cap-in-hand’ for a glass (usually chipped on the base) or a cup/mug (again often chipped) because there were never enough available or go and look for someone (usually ‘in hiding) to tell that beer pump was empty, the soft drink bottles were empty or that there was no milk for the tea/coffee. Meal times were a joke. The wait between the meagre/basic/bland/tasteless courses was unacceptable – we would, on average, wait 30 – 40 minutes between courses (again an obvious ploy to prevent use of the ‘All inclusive drinks period’) Sunday night a ‘Gala Dinner’ was announced – we all fell for it and got dressed up. It was frankly disgusting. I don’t eat meat – they knew this I had been eating the vegetarian choice (either omelette or cheese) for the previous four nights but they still insisted on placing a plate full of meat in front of me – when I politely pointed out to the waiter (again) that I didn’t eat meat – he shrugged his shoulders and removed my plate and offered me an omelette which arrived one hour and twenty minutes later. (I got dressed for the occasion and waited nearly two hours for an omelette). My wife and the other four people on the table all left their ‘Gala Dinners’ because they were cold (and to be honest the way that they were presented made them look very unappetising indeed) these were collected and at no time (indeed throughout our stay) did anyone ask the usual ‘Is everything OK with your meal?’ During the ‘Gala Dinner’ we heard music which was coming from the comfortable lounge downstairs – they had actually opened it (the only time during our stay) and arranged some entertainment – unfortunately because of extra time that the ‘Gala Dinner’ had taken – by the time the majority people had finished – the singer was packing up his stuff to go home. The next night we (as did many others) plumped for the Salmon. Imagine the disgust when trying a first mouthful, finding it uncooked (ice cold) in the middle. I left the restaurant (calling it a restaurant is an insult to other restaurants) at this point hopefully never to return. When we left the hotel on Tuesday morning – the Manager was there – as far as I know he never had the manners to say ‘goodbye’ or ‘Thank you’ to any member of the coach party.

the breakfast was bad and foor, the water in shower-bath al the time go up, the air conditioning not work well, the reception don't know nothing about trip, place to visit and maps, the clark reception don't how speak english only spoke Italian or German. it was difficult to communicate. but the view from the balcony was breathless. the internet in hotel not work. bright side was the waiter in dining hall, he was very polite and lovely and know english, and he all day gave was recommendations were to visit. the bad for my baby was terrible, because the don't have mattress for the bad they put blanket instead.

It was our first time in Italy, and it is no doubt a beautiful place! Arco, just off Lake Garda is a lovely little Austrian style town, but the locals are not a happy bunch! we hardly got a smile the whole week! Villa Delle Rose wasnt too bad, although we did have some grumbles, the staff are generally miserable, the foyer area is dark and depressing, but on the plus side the hotel is fairly clean and tidy, the dining area is pleasant as was our room. The food was rather bland,(pasta every evening) but the breakfasts are quite filling. We'll definatly be going back to Italy, maybe even Arco! but although Villa Delle Rose is'nt too bad, I think another hotel will be having our company next time round.

food choice was better last year and maitre d' David was superb last year-guess the best get headhunted!This year new maitre d', all food was tasty and filling but not hugely imaginative. Breakfast was very good and kept us going all day. Agree not many staff -but we love Arco and the laid back life. The people are so non threatening and we always felt safe walking around at night. Excellent location and good local bus service. Nightlife very limited and hotel should use downstairs bar for drinks and not reception area but it was never opened up. but would be happy to go back.

we found the hotel to be dingy,dirty,dark and with very poor attention to detail.we felt that the management (there were only 6 total staff available) had little idea of how to run a hotel and the guest definatly came last in the list things to care for. it was only the lake that stopped us from going home; we just stayed out of the hotel as much as we could. i believe the star rating should be 1*