In the world of high-end travel, the term luxury is often over-leveraged. Yet on the western shores of Lake Garda, the Arosio family provides a definition that is increasingly rare: luxury as a form of constancy. While the southern hubs of the lake chase the flash of modern gloss, the town of Gargnano remains a sanctuary for those who seek the understated elegance of the Belle Époque.
The Arosio portfolio, comprising the Venetian red Hotel du Lac and the storied Hotel Gardenia al Lago (pictured below) serves as the anchor for this experience. These are not merely hotels. They are multi-generational estates where the family history in piano manufacturing and botanical preservation meets the highest standards of personal service.
The Nautical Counterpoint: SV Galeotto II
To experience the lake as the locals do, with speed and an intimate connection to the wind, you must step away from the terrace and onto the SV Galeotto II.
While the family hotels lean into nostalgia, the Galeotto II represents the sleek side of Italian lake life. A racing sailboat of high pedigree, it offers a visceral contrast to the stillness of the shoreline. Chartering this vessel is an invitation to join the crew. Under the guidance of an expert skipper, you can take the helm or trim the sails, slicing through the Ora winds that have made Garda a global capital for sailing. It is a quiet luxury excursion with no engines and no crowds. There is only the rhythmic hiss of a carbon fibre hull cutting through cobalt water toward the hidden waterfalls of the Ponale. This is the world of ‘high-sailing’, where masts reach into the blue sky above, while you relax on the deck below.
The Heritage of the Limonaia and Giardini d’Agrumi
Back on land, the family commitment to the soil is equally impressive. Andrea Arosio’s restoration of the Fondo Crocefisso, a monumental stone and wood lemon house, is an act of cultural preservation.
This dedication reaches its peak annually in April during Giardini d’Agrumi (Gardens of Citrus). During this event, the private gates of the most historic villas in Gargnano swing open. It is a rare window into a world of hidden cloisters and fragrant groves that are usually kept under lock and key. For the Arosios, it is a matter of civic pride to share the harvest that eventually finds its way into the hotel handmade marmalades and the signature limoncello you drink at twilight.
A Tale of Two Houses
Hotel Gardenia al Lago is the grand drawing room of the family estate. Centred around a music room featuring the family own pianos, it is a place of silver service, heavy linen, and the matriarch Tina’s carefully tended bougainvillaea. It is authentic and deeply romantic.
Hotel du Lac (below) is a twelve-room boutique hotel defined by its proximity to the water. The breakfast balcony sits mere inches above the lake surface, allowing for a morning ritual where you listen to the swans and look out at the Monte Baldo range.
Be part of the story
The appeal of the Arosio estate lies in its refusal to be beige. In a world of carbon-copy resorts, these owner-managed hotels offer a genuine connection to the land and the water. Whether you are finding your sea legs on the SV Galeotto II or living like a local and wandering the ancient terraces during Giardini d’Agrumi, you are part of a century-old Italian story.
the best of Gargnano
- The Signature Experience: A private sunset charter on the SV Galeotto II, followed by an aperitivo on the roof terrace of Hotel du Lac.
- The Wonders of Spring: Plan your visit for April (specifically 18-19 April 2026) to experience the Giardini d’Agrumi. The town is at its most fragrant and the access to private gardens is unparalleled.
- Wellness Note: Book a session with the resident therapist, Raul. His techniques are essential after you spend a day of active sailing or hiking the Gardesane Prealps.
- Logistics: Fly to Verona. The drive takes one hour and fifteen minutes. The airport is exceptionally efficient for arrivals.
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About the author
Lulu Townsend has been immersed in the world of luxury hospitality for over two decades transforming her family’s boutique property in Umbria into a Condé Nast Traveller favourite. She has advised global names such as The Langham Hotel, and is also the Marketing Director of The Hotel Guru – follow her on Instagram: @lulusluxurylifestyle. Read more from Lulu here.
