We’ve just returned from a 7-day last minute deal at La Limonaia in Limone. Locally the hotel is graded 3* and no doubt holiday companies award an extra star because of the on-site Wellness Centre with its sauna, gym etc. If we had paid full price, we’d have been disappointed but as it was, we just about got value for money. The reception manager told us that late bookings are given inferior rooms and indeed we were not happy with ours but managed to get a better one 2 days after arrival.

La Limonaia enjoys a superb position with splendid views of Limone below and across Lake Garda to Malcesine with a mountain backdrop all around. Its hillside location means there are steep climbs up to it and within the complex itself. The hotel is clean but parts are a little shabby and, while being tidy enough, the gardens seem to lack a professional and caring hand. It’s a shame some of the olive trees aren’t pruned to open up the lovely views from some of the rooms. Our rooms were clean but only obvious and easily- accessible surfaces were dusted. A safe was available free-of-charge in both rooms we occupied. Neither had a bath but each had a shower. Only once did the hot water run out. Rooms were cleaned and towels (thin but perfectly adequate) were replaced every day.

Balconies run across in front of several rooms. This wasn’t a problem for us but I can see it might be.

Our coach did not drive up to the hotel but instead parked on the road below. Some coaches do drive up though. We couldn’t make out why. The hotel did arrange to deliver and collect guests’ bags to and from rooms which made things a lot easier.

The water in the swimming pool was very cold but invigorating. Mattresses were not supplied for the sunbeds and I imagine the poolside area is too small in the high season.

The attitude of staff was mixed. Some were polite and helpful, while others weren’t. One problem seems to arise from staff being reactive rather than proactive.

We were allocated the lower of the 2 dining rooms. It seems they each provide the same food. This is where the big problem lies, the food and the restaurant. I could write pages about it but will just give a flavour (which is more than the food did) and some examples. For choice, variety, imagination, quality and presentation, low marks. Crockery was chipped and cracked. Very few teapots and no milk jugs so guests had to improvise. Salt in every cellar was always damp and the restaurant was constantly running out of something- food, crockery, cutlery, teabags. In 7 days we had diced sautee potatoes 6 times and lumpy mashed once. Food was often colder than it should have been. The layout of the restaurant could be improved. For example, the toaster, which is deathly slow, is in the middle of a food self-service area. This causes congestion, delays and confusion.

Just got back from Hotel Limonaia. This being our 4th trip to Italy, 3 being touring holidays, i must say we have stayed in quite a few italian hotels, some worse hotels than this and none better.
The so called 'tea towels' in the bathroom are quite common in italian hotels and although i would prefer towelling they were ok.
I must admit walking up to the hotel is hard work and we're quite fit and only in our 50's. The mini bus service could be more frequent but the driver always returned if there were more people waiting, sometimes 3 or 4 times. The only problem we had with the bus is there is nowhere to form a queue for it and it was a free for all, especially with the German travellers and they are the majority in Italy. Limonaia is a lovely town and we had stunning views from the hotel. We had an appartment with a shared balcony and have no complaints. The room was clean and the beds were new and very comfortable. I can't speak for the other accomadation but some were higher up than us with a lot of stairs to climb and quite a way from the main hotel facilities.
We found most of the staff friendly and helpful. The beds were made and towels changed every day. If you are used to going to spain and eating english food, don't go to Italy! We like to try the local food when we go abroad and wouldn't expect or want chicken and chips. The restaurant was very nice. The staff worked hard and we didn't wait long for anything. The food was better than most of the hotels we've stayed in and lots of it. I think the fussiest of eaters must be able able to find something to eat at breakfast and dinner. We had a lovely holiday and were happy with the Hotel but if we go back to Limone we would stay in a Hotel nearer the town because it's easier to come and go as you please.

We were worried when we read some of the reviews, but our overall experience of this hotel was good.

The plus points
Fantastic views (just ask to be moved if you get a room without a view - no one we spoke to had a problem getting moved)
Nice big room, reasonably comfortable and clean
Friendly, helpful staff (who repaired a leaking cistern within half an hour - at 10.00pm!)
Reasonable food (some of it very nice), and a good choice (the food was MUCH better than the 4 star Rome hotel we stayed in earlier this year)

The minus points
It is on a hill - but then everything is in Limone unless you are right down on the lake front (it has some rooms suitable for disabled visitors, but still wouldnt be easy)
We asked for a room near a lift, but got a room we needed crampons and oxygen to get to! (we were offered a new room, but liked where we were and could manage the walk)
The wait for the mini-bus can be frustrating - but he always came back for us, and we noticed other hotels having the same problem
The towels - they are like tea towels, but they do get you dry - take your own towels if you want something more luxurious.

Overall, this was a bargain holiday and we were happy with the hotel. The most frustrating thing was there were bits that could be easily improved, and they would have made this a wonderful hotel instead of it looking slightly tatty.

Limone itself is lovely. It is in the mountains, with a lovely range of shops and restaurants that were buzzing with life (some of the villages at the south of the lake were dead in comparision). It has a regular ferry service to Malcesine, which we also loved visiting, and the cable car is beautiful on a clear day (just be willing to queue!)

I stayed at this hotel recently, for a week. It is basic and rather dated but it has the essentials. My room was spacious with lots of storage and bedside lights you could read with[ better than many] It was cleaned daily, with fresh[ not fluffy] towels etc: The best thing was the marvellous view from the balcony.
The meals were fine, not gourmet but plenty of choice with fresh fruit and a range of salads.
It was a trek to the room, involving stairs, a lift, narrow paths and a dank corridor, you could get very wet getting to the dining room. Many rooms were closer, some were even further away. I think the rooms varied, some were more modern and not all had the wonderful view.
It took about 20 mins to walk down to the centre of Limone, a gentle stroll, I always took the shuttle back, it was a steep climb. Limone itself is attractive and there are plenty of boats to visit other places. There are also occasional buses, which are much cheaper. remember to buy your ticket before the shops close for a siesta, otherwise they won't let you on the bus.