We have just returned from a wonderful hiking-focused trip to Switzerland and Italy, the latter part around Lago di Garda and Lago Maggiore. We enjoyed Malcescine 22 years ago, and I have been trying to return, but could not make time for it until this trip. I previously identified Hotel Castello as the best place to stay—-right on the lake below the castle, with its own beach. But they had a 5-night minimum, so that was not possible. So I chose Hotel Venezia, on the basis of the location (near the ferry dock, and right on the lake) and of course the name.
As it turned out this was a great choice—-much nicer, I think, than Hotel Castello, which now has a wide public path running through the beach, so it is much less appealing than I remembered. Also the area around the castle and oldtown is now uber-crowded with tourists—-one pass through there and we avoided it for the rest of our stay.
Hotel Venezia is on the other side of the town, a short walk from the ferry dock and connected to a more quiet lakefront promenade. The hotel is directly on the water—-no beach, but a sun terrace below the rooms, and a dock with a ladder into the water for swimming. We were so close to the water I felt like I could almost dive in from our balcony (but of course I did not try). The view across the lake from here is gorgeous.
Our room was large, bright, and modern, and the breakfast buffet was one of the best we have experienced in Italy. In addition to the usual cereals, breads, pastries, fruit and yogurt, they offered to cook eggs, omelette, or crepes if you wanted. The beverage array included Prosecco if you fancied a mimosa with your breakfast. Or maybe that would be a Bellini?
Public transport options for Malcescine are bus or ferry; we chose the latter (ferry from Salò) for our arrival. For departure, we opted for the private taxi to the Verona train station for our onward travel to Lago Maggiore. My husband and the driver had a lively conversation in Italian the whole trip, while I enjoyed the scenery.
I highly recommend this hotel if you are considering a visit to Malcescine.
https://www.hotelvenezia-malcesine.it/en
The hotel is the blue one on the right in the photo. We had the 3d floor lakefront room with balcony.