Mr & Mrs Smith

Villa Arcadio

Lake Garda, Italy

Overlooking the mirror-flat expanse of Lake Garda from its perch atop the historic town of Salò, Villa Arcadio Hotel & Resort is where Italy's smart set go for refined R ’n’ R. Vistas of lake, town and mountain – variously enjoyed from elegant bedside, infinity poolside and marble-clad fireside – guarantee it a spot among the world's best hotels with a view.

Need to know

• Rooms 18, including four suites.
• Rates Double rooms from $303.46 (€236), excluding tax at 10 per cent.
  The price shown represents the lowest nightly rate for a double room available at this hotel over the next 21 days. Any price conversions from the hotel's local currency (€236) have been conducted using today's exchange rates from xe.com.
• More details Rates include a generous Continental buffet breakfast, on-site parking and WiFi.
• Facilities Landscaped grounds with olive groves and orchards, terrace, Finnish sauna and treatment rooms. In rooms: flatscreen TV, air-conditioning, minifridge, Erbario Toscano olive-oil toiletries, robes, slippers, hairdryer.
• Poolside With daydreamy views across distant Lake Garda and its misty mountain backdrop, the outdoor infinity pool is surrounded by lounger-sprinkled decking, clipped lawns and olive trees.
• Check-out 12 noon; late check-outs are possible, subject to availability (and a €50 charge). Earliest check-in, 2pm.
• Children Welcome (this is Italy, after all). Extra beds (free for under-eights; otherwise €40–€80 a night) and cots (€20) can be added to suites. The restaurant is child-friendly, and nannies can be drafted in with a week’s notice (€30 an hour).
• Also Ayurvedic treatments, Shiatsu massage, Nordic walking, yoga and Pilates all available on request. Small pets welcome (€15 a night).
• Hotel closed Every winter from November until mid March (specific dates vary annually).

Food and drink at Villa Arcadio

• Hotel restaurant

  Chef Walter Zanoni sources seasonal regional ingredients (some straight from the villa’s kitchen garden) to create typical dishes with a twist: don’t miss fresh pike plucked from the lake, delicious handmade gnocchi and zingy gelati. Two elegant rooms – vaulted stone ceilings, grand marble fireplaces and 18th-century prints – lead out onto a pretty terrace: the perfect place to drink in those bella vistas and bellinis.

• Dress code This genteel hideaway inspires old-fashioned chic: discreet designer dresses, caramel cashmere, crisp linens.
• Top table In summer, you’ll want to dine alfresco: the terrace at night is enchanting, with soft-toned lanterns swinging among the vines and candles on every wrought-iron table.
• Last orders You can call for cocktails until midnight. Breakfast is served 7.30am–10.30am; lunch, 12.30pm–2.30pm; and dinner, 7pm–11pm.
• Room service Dishes from the main menu can be ordered in-room from 7:30am to 10pm in high season (from mid May to September), and during restaurant hours in low season – staff aim to please, so there’s no harm in asking if you have a specific snack in mind.
• Hotel bar

  Take top-notch tipples in the sophisticated wooden bar area, snugly set between the lounge and terrace. You can call for cocktails until midnight. Dip into a bottle of local Groppello, Bardolino or Soave from the excellent wine list.

Villa Arcadio Via Palazzina, 2, Salò, 25087