Hotel Désirée - Garda Lake Collection — Hotel in Sirmione

We were advised by the hotel over email that parking at the hotel would mean navigating narrow streets, many pedestrians, and limited opening hours. So the option to take “Grifo Parking”, which was booked by the hotel for 20 euro, for parking outside the old town with a shuttle service to and from the hotel, was appealing. Big mistake.

We followed the instructions provided by the hotel to the tee. No issues parking and getting a shuttle to the hotel. The hotel had told us to book our return shuttle the night before at reception, but since our flight was the next day, we checked with Grifo Parking whether we could book a time with them instead. There they said the only slot remaining was far later than would have been possible for us to catch our flight. So we declined and went to the hotel, hoping that they would have access to more slots.

Check in was fine and afterwards, we mentioned that we would like to book our return shuttle as instructed. The receptionist noted our preferred timing down and made a call. Unfortunately there were still no slots available. We asked the hotel for help given that we had a flight to catch.

The receptionist was condescending, even mocking, in response. He refused to accept that the hotel had not advised us properly to book a return shuttle. He kept repeating that we had already asked Grifo Parking earlier - as if we had done something wrong by asking him as well, as instructed by the hotel. When asked if the hotel could help us arrange other options, he said “this is a 3 star not a 5 star hotel”. He even claimed that Grifo Parking provided a “gratis” shuttle so we should not expect it - when Grifo clearly states the shuttle is included. Finally, he said that “you are young, you can walk”.

We did walk the 20 minutes to the parking lot with luggage in tow. It was certainly possible but not what anyone would expect having booked and paid for a shuttle service with a disinterested hotel. When we got to the parking lot, we saw unused shuttles and a driver milling about. Perhaps there may have been a chance to book a return shuttle, if the hotel had been more interested to help than to mock.

Our room was dated and a corner smelled like pee, but we made it work. Our friends’ room however had a more modern yet poorly designed shower, which flooded their room because the drainage was too slow and the incline in the shower insufficient. We mentioned that we had some problems with the room at check out when asked how our stay had been. The response was “oh I’m sorry” with no attempt to find out more.

Funnily, there was a notice at reception offering a 5 euro voucher in return for 5 star reviews on Google that we will be missing out on.

I see from other reviews that this is a pattern with this hotel. Nothing seems to be their responsibility, so perhaps a reader can help them out by not giving them...

I have to say I had the worst experience ever and I've travelled the world. My daughter was getting married in sermione and I booked this hotel as it was near the wedding venue.my sister and my mother accompanied me at the hotel.2 rooms 4 people. My mother and sister shared and I had the other room for myself. When l arrived at the hotel I was told I had to pay 640 euro extra for 3rd person. I asked the lady to check booking and she said I booked 2 double rooms 1 person each room. I told her it was a mistake and asked her to check with booking. Com and it would be sorted. every day after that I got tx messages WhatsApp and phone messages asking me to pay my bill of which I had paid in advance. I was harassed every day. My mother and sister were told they could not get breakfast as bill was not paid. I was there for 1 week and my daughter was getting married on the 6th day.i was so upset and told this receptionist that she was ruining my holiday and my appreciation of my daughters big day. She did not care I asked her to check my booking and I showed her my reciept email. She would not look at it.this rude and disgusting way we were being treated was so upsetting to all of us. My mother was crying all the time because she saw how much it was effecting all of us.on the day of our departure I went to reception and left keys she was so rude and embarrassing and told me I would be going to jail if I didn't pay my bill in front of other guests. She said she was getting police and I wouldn't be able to leave with my family. My mother was distraught. I had no choice but to pay this awful woman. As my flight was in 3 hours.this woman alone destroyed my enjoyment of my daughters wedding and nothing can bring that back.I contacted booking. Com when I got home and after they checked emails they said I booked my rooms properly 2 rooms 4 people and I was completely right all along. Even though when I contacted them in Italy they didn't check anything. I have since been reimbursed for extra I paid.I got no apology from hotel or Booking.com. I even had to email hotel as they didn't give me itemised bill when I was leaving. I truly hope anybody booking with this hotel checks everything with there booking right up to the time they arrive. Horrible holiday and turned me off Italy.shame on them.ps checked there reviews before I went on holiday and any bad reviews they always had an excuse and bla.ed the clients we can't...

I have to say I had the worst experience ever and I've travelled the world. My daughter was getting married in sermione and I booked this hotel as it was near the wedding venue.my sister and my mother accompanied me at the hotel.2 rooms 4 people. My mother and sister shared and I had the other room for myself. When l arrived at the hotel I was told I had to pay 640 euro extra for 3rd person. I asked the lady to check booking and she said I booked 2 double rooms 1 person each room. I told her it was a mistake and asked her to check with booking. Com and it would be sorted. every day after that I got tx messages WhatsApp and phone messages asking me to pay my bill of which I had paid in advance. I was harassed every day. My mother and sister were told they could not get breakfast as bill was not paid. I was there for 1 week and my daughter was getting married on the 6th day.i was so upset and told this receptionist that she was ruining my holiday and my appreciation of my daughters big day. She did not care I asked her to check my booking and I showed her my reciept email. She would not look at it.this rude and disgusting way we were being treated was so upsetting to all of us. My mother was crying all the time because she saw how much it was effecting all of us.on the day of our departure I went to reception and left keys she was so rude and embarrassing and told me I would be going to jail if I didn't pay my bill in front of other guests. She said she was getting police and I wouldn't be able to leave with my family. My mother was distraught. I had no choice but to pay this awful woman. As my flight was in 3 hours.this woman alone destroyed my enjoyment of my daughters wedding and nothing can bring that back.I contacted booking. Com when I got home and after they checked emails they said I booked my rooms properly 2 rooms 4 people and I was completely right all along. Even though when I contacted them in Italy they didn't check anything. I have since been reimbursed for extra I paid.I got no apology from hotel or Booking.com. I even had to email hotel as they didn't give me itemised bill when I was leaving. I truly hope anybody booking with this hotel checks everything with there booking right up to the time they arrive. Horrible holiday and turned me off Italy.shame on them.ps checked there reviews before I went on holiday and any bad reviews they always had an excuse and bla.ed the clients we can't...