Villa Cortine — Hotel in Sirmione

Avoid at all costs!

While the Italian hotel's aesthetics were undeniably breathtaking, my overall experience was marred by the disappointing, rude, and demeaning service. The grounds were impeccably maintained, creating a picturesque setting. The rooms were nothing short of incredible, offering a luxurious and comfortable retreat. Additionally, the culinary offerings were a highlight, with delicious and well-presented dishes enhancing our dining experience.

Unfortunately, the shining aspects of this establishment were overshadowed by the staff's and management’s demeanor. Despite booking two of their rooms, one of which was the most expensive rooms available, we were treated with an air of snobbery and disdain that left a sour taste. This became particularly evident when we planned to use the hotel as a venue for our wedding preparations and pre-wedding photos.

Having provided over a year's notice and received initial confirmation for some of our family and friends to join us the morning of the wedding, we were dismayed when, a week before the wedding, the staff began raising issues. A week before the wedding I was forced to scramble to find alternatives because the hotel went back on their promises to allow family and friends (bridesmaids and groomsmen) to get ready in the two most expensive rooms they suggested that we book a year prior. These rooms were recommended to us because we emphasized the need for spacious rooms that would fit our family and friends the morning of and that we proceeded to book without hesitation.

The week preceding the wedding, I kept receiving emails from management who kept reminding me that they were a “5 star hotel”. However, it was evident that the arrangements I made a year prior with a staff member were no longer up to par with their 5 star service.

It seemed as though our special occasion was an inconvenience rather than a celebrated event. Their attempts to restrict our loved ones from getting ready with us were met with frustration and confusion, considering the prior agreement.

The staff's behavior during this crucial time was nothing short of unprofessional. The treatment we received made us feel like unwanted guests, undermining the joyous occasion we had come to celebrate. Their dismissive attitude and attempts to portray us as "peasants" were not only uncalled for but deeply hurtful.

And after I had to compromise on arrangements, a mere week before the wedding, and when it was finally my wedding day, simple requests for water or a pen were met with horrific attitude, demeaning glares, and eye rolls by staff that was certainly not up to par with 5 star service, which the management of this hotel made sure to remind me of time and time again.

In hindsight, the beautiful surroundings and lavish accommodations could not compensate for the lackluster service and disrespectful treatment we experienced. It is disheartening when a venue with such potential falls short due to the behavior of its staff, tarnishing what should have been a joyous and memorable stay.

If you’re planning a trip to Sirmione and looking for truly a five star service hotel, please check out the Hotel Vinci. My family and friends who stayed there during the duration of my wedding (3 days) were treated like royalty, no request was too big or too small, even guests who stayed in other hotels were welcomed at Vinci by the incredible owner and treated with utmost respect and provided exceptional hospitality. No pompous attitudes or demeaning treatment here. We definitely wish we stayed there instead, as we were treated much better there as external guests than paying patrons at...

If you ever wondered what it’s like to step into a dream – Villa Cortine is your answer. From the moment we arrived, we felt like we’d walked onto the set of a classic movie: a Romanesque villa complete with statues, ceiling frescoes, and elegant serenity at every turn.||||We stayed in Room 218, which had a breathtaking view of the lake, the pool, and the garden restaurant. Waking up there felt like waking in paradise. The room was pristine, the bed absolutely enormous and blissfully comfortable, and the bathroom – fully marble – felt more like a spa than a hotel ensuite. The shower was powerful, warm, and just what we needed after a day of sun-soaked lounging.||||Speaking of lounging – let’s talk about the gardens. A horticulturalist’s fantasy! Acres of meticulously manicured grounds, romantic little seating areas tucked into fragrant corners, and views that make your heart exhale. Whether you want to read, sip wine, or just stare into the distance like a 19th-century poet – this is your spot.||||Food-wise, we were truly spoiled. There are three stunning restaurants onsite, and we ate most of our meals at the hotel because everything was so good! As someone who is both gluten and dairy intolerant, I was beyond impressed by how knowledgeable and accommodating the staff were. They adapted dishes beautifully without making me feel like an inconvenience – which, sadly, is rare!||||The bar deserves its own standing ovation. It’s exquisitely stocked – so much so, I had to consult ChatGPT to find out what half the bottles were! (It was very impressed 😂). Some of the tequilas are hand-painted collectors’ items, and the brandy selection is top tier. Each night, the bartender – knowledgeable, friendly and with impeccable taste – suggested something new, and every glass was a delight. Do yourself a favour: try the brandy!||||But the real unexpected luxury? The pool life guards. Now, I’ve stayed in hotels all over the world, but I’ve never encountered poolside service like this. These two gentlemen were exceptional. They didn’t just guard – they delivered towels to our sunbeds, laid them out perfectly, adjusted our parasols for optimal shade, and checked in on us regularly. They kept everything spotless and even fetched waiters for drinks and snacks. Honestly, they were like our personal sunbed concierges. Absolute legends. 👏👏👏||||And finally… the staff. Every single person we encountered – from the front desk to the gardeners, from the buggy driver to the waitstaff – made us feel valued and welcome. Not just “polite” welcome – but genuinely cared for. Waitstaff remembered my dietary needs, another noticed I was scratching a mosquito bite and appeared with spray (hello intuitive excellence), and the chef even sent out surprise desserts after we’d moved inside. The same waitress tracked us down just to deliver them. 🤍||||As someone who has trained customer service teams and worked silver service myself, I don’t say this lightly: Villa Cortine’s team are a masterclass in 5-star hospitality. Not just ticking boxes – they deliver heart, detail, and magic.||||We don’t usually return to the same place twice, but we’re already planning our next visit. The car park may be full of Ferraris and Bentleys, but we’re just regular hard-working people – and we were treated like royalty.||||Thank you, Villa Cortine, for an unforgettable stay. Every single member of your team deserves a bonus and a standing...

The Villa Cortine Palace Hotel is a beautiful property, and the grounds are incredibly spectacular, from the gated entrance that passes a magnificent fountain to the lakes edge. The views from our room were gorgeous and the staff was friendly and accommodating. The hotel staff was also wonderful and very accommodating.. They drove us by golf cart to the city center on several occasions during our 4-day stay as my mobility is limited due to a recent surgery.||Although I gave Villa Cortine a 5-star review, the concierge team, for us, missed the mark. For lunch and dinner reservations, I emphasized with several members that we were interested in restaurants with a lake view and ambiance. A nice menu was important, but we were at Lake Garda to view the natural beauty of the lake and surrounding areas. Our first night's restaurant for dinner was highly recommended by the hotel. Our view was of a stone wall on a narrow street; the lake was nowhere in sight. The menu was good, and our waiter was wonderful, but the ambiance was 2-3 stars at best. Our table was in a cramped corner, and the flooring was worn artificial grass. After another disappointing restaurant suggestion for lunch the next day, we canceled the other restaurant reservations we made with the concierge desk and deferred to Trip Advisor's restaurant recommendations. We were MUCH more pleased. The ambiance of the hotel's breakfast area and the breakfast buffet, however, were excellent, and the staff was great. ||We also wanted to take a professional 1/2 day guided tour of the Lake Garda area with a guide and driver. The concierge desk recommended a gentleman who was very, very nice and his Mercedes ride was outstanding, however, our driver's English was extremely limited, which made it very difficult to ask questions and get answers that we could understand. We wish we had taken the small 8-10-person, 4½ hour guided tour offered on Trip Advisor and Viator. The Villa Cotine seemed to have their own agenda regarding reservations and tours, and our guidelines were either misunderstood or disregarded. ||With those comments made, the Villa Cortine Palace was still a wonderful experience, and I would stay there again. If a 4½ rating was possible on this site, I would have rated Villa Cortine slightly less than a 5. Although it was not a perfect 5-star experience for us, it may...