General Description
With commanding views over Lake Garda, Regina del Garda lords above Gardone Riviera's bustling main square with shops and restaurants lining the streets below. Its panoramic vista is enhanced by a flower filled, lakeside promenade that's perfect for romantic evening strolls. The ferry stop, 100 yards from your door, is an invitation to explore all of Lake Garda.

Regina del Garda occupies the top two floors of a former silk factory. From a furnished covered balcony, it overlooks the pretty pedestrian piazzetta where summer concerts take place. Isola di Garda, the lake's largest island, hovers on the near horizon. To the left is the impressive expanse of the Grand Hotel Gardone.

The comfortable interiors are furnished in a contemporary style. The main level's open living, dining and kitchen area has four sets of French doors opening to a furnished balcony, bringing in the sights and sounds of this summer resort town. The bedroom on this level faces the other side and sits above the Gardesana, the main road circling Lake Garda. The remaining bedrooms on the top floor have dormered windows facing the lake. Despite sloping ceilings, there is good clearance, and beds are set at the higher ceiling end. The two queen bedrooms are air conditioned.

The friendly proprietors own a hotel two and a half miles away. Guests may call on their English-speaking staff for sightseeing suggestions and use of the hotel's adult and children's pool at no charge. The pool is open 8 am to 8 pm from mid-May through mid-October. Maid service may be arranged by the staff. Two baskets of firewood are included in the price. Free parking is usually available in a lot 250 yards away or a paid lot with weekly rates is in 30 yards.

Frequent ferry service is available from June to October. For all other time periods, a car is necessary. Those without a car should arrive at the Brescia train station on the Milan to Venice line and from there, take the bus to Gardone. Buses run every 30 minutes, and the ride is just over an hour. During the season, passenger hydrofoils from the piazzetta stop along the lake's western shore towns from dawn to dusk.

Sheltered from Nordic winds by the Dolomites, Garda is the warmest and largest of Italy's lakes. Its climate is ideal for olives, vines, citrus groves and palm trees. The Botanical Garden of Hruska, 500 yards away, has over 8000 exotic flowers and is open March through October. A worthy visit is the home of Italian author Gabriele D'Annunzio. Reached in a 10 minute walk, it's best described as stepping into a painting by Salvador Dali.

Within a 10 minute drive is Toscolano-Maderno with the area's best beaches and where the art of papermaking goes back 1500 years. Also in 10 minutes is Salò, the birthplace of Gasparo da Salò, inventor of the violin. Desenzano's shops and active nightlife are 35 minutes away; Brescia: 40; Riva del Garda's castle and swan filled moat: 45; Verona or Cremona: 50; the art cities of Bergamo and Mantova or Gardaland in Castelnuovo Garda, with Italy's largest Disney style theme park: 60; Vicenza: 75; Milan or Trento: 90; Padova or Parma: 100; Venice: 120.

Technical Description
Third floor: Living/dining room with ornamental fireplace, CD player and four sets of French doors opening to furnished, covered lake view balcony. Kitchen area with stove top, oven, fridge and dishwasher. One bedroom with two single, joinable beds. One bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and separate shower.

Fourth floor: Two air condtioned bedrooms each with a queen size bed. One small bedroom with a single bed. One bathroom with shower and washing machine.