Grand Hotel Fasano is a five-star hotel on the Brescia side of Lake Garda that’s a Leading Hotels of the World property. It has welcomed guests since the 19th century as it was once a residence of the Austrian royal family and served as their hunting lodge.
It was my first time visiting Lake Garda and I was immediately mesmerized by the enchanting beauty of the lake – a crystal clear expanse of water slightly rippled by gentle waves. Palm trees and bougainvilleas surround the hotel adding tropical accents. Upon arrival, my boyfriend Matthew and I were offered a non-alcoholic fruity welcome beverage and sat outside on the serene lakefront terrace of La Terraza. I found my worries melt away and my mind at peace.
While we were enjoying a welcome beverage, service brought our luggage up to our room. From the mere moments of arrival, I was immediately impressed by the white-glove service as well as the staff’s warm and professional demeanor.
We stayed in an elegant and spacious lakefront room with a balcony and I was delighted to find Grand Hotel Fasano branded artisanal chocolates and Champagne for us to indulge in. Overall, the accommodations at Grand Hotel Fasano are fit for royalty with king-size beds and delicate Egyptian cotton sheets.
In the evening, we dined at Il Fagiano, the hotel’s restaurant that’s recognized by Michelin. The dining room is decorated in original wood, but has a contemporary feel and the menu’s focus is traditional Lake Garda cuisine with a modern flair. Chef Matteo Felter, born on Lake Garda creates an experience that’s a feast for all of one’s senses, not just the palate. We indulged in a variety of dishes:
Eggplant with peanut mayonnaise and vegetable stock.
Homemade ravioli filled with pheasant on poultry jus and summer truffle.
Miso marinated black cod on basil foam with anchovy sauce and pine nuts.
Braised lamb with porcini mushrooms and garlic cream.
The desserts were divine too! My boyfriend had the white chocolate cream and milk ice cream with acacia honey. I had the chocolate tart with peanut cream and coffee ice cream. They were almost too pretty to eat!
After dinner, we headed to the Gin Lounge. Bar Manager, Rama Redzepi’s presented us a bar cart full of gins from all over the world and educated us about them, as well as tonic water varieties. He was incredibly knowledgable and I especially enjoyed learning about Italian gin brands since the region is widely known for its wines. Rama made me an incredible gin and tonic featuring The Italian Gin, J. Gasco Indian Tonic Water, and a huge rectangular shaped ice cube. It was an incredible G&T and going forward both of those items will be on my bar cart at home!
The following morning, I visited the wellness centre onsite, AQVA SPA. It’s inspired by ancient roman’s baths and its state of the art structures includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools as well as jacuzzis, saunas, Turkish baths, relaxing zones, a gym and a solarium.
I decided to indulge in a Tulasara Facial Treatment and prior to doing so, the skin therapist asked me about my skin, its sensitivities, and my daily skincare routine. Based on the information I provided, the therapist designed a customized treatment that included the best combination of products, personalized Aveda aromas and techniques. It was a delightful experience and I left feeling good and refreshed!
If you’re staying at the hotel, don’t not miss the opportunity to drive a stylish convertible BMW 8 series. One can set off to discover the treasures of Lake Garda and there are endless things to do in the area such as wine tasting, golf, water sports, etc.
Overall, I had a wonderful stay at Grand Hotel Fasano and appreciated the incredible attention to detail, the wide range of facilities, and unique experiences. Luxury meets relaxation at this grand hotel!