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Peter and Linda D'Aprix 2002 This adorable hotel in the quiet residential area of Ascona in the Ticino is the perfect place to really unwind and relax. Its' flower drenched entrance sets the feeling of holiday and as you check in sitting down the warm welcome of a glass of delicious sparkling wine or fresh orange juice makes you never want to leave this oasis of calm. The Giardino is set just outside of this petite lake side village. It is quiet and peaceful with an eighteen hole golf course on one side and residential housing on the other. The Lake Maggiore marina is just a block away and the walking and bike path leads along the banks of the lake right into town. Kids are catered to. They have their own shallow wading pool as well as a supervised (during the season) play area complete with long eared furry bunnies and 3 tents for activities. Dogs are welcome as well, but not in the restaurants. The hotel has its own pink boat for excursions, an antique pink bus for trips, a fleet of pink mini-vans to take you to town or the local airport and pink bikes you can use to peddle to town or out on a days exploring. You can turn pink in the sun or in the sauna in their own Spa. (for more on the spa click here.)
Sadly it rained the entire time we were there, (three days) but even so, one could see the beauty of the grounds and the parklike feeling. The hotel is in the process of renovating, which, when completed, will be completely Mediterranean in style. There spa is state of the art. The new one in its' own building will be even better. Not all of the rooms are terribly large but are charming and well equipped with balconies and large patio windows which make the rooms feel larger and fill them with light. The Hotel Giardino offers a unique pleasure with Teatro Giardino on sundays, featuring everything from ballet to opera and jazz. The stage is in the middle of a lily pond adding to the charm. As golfers know, the Giardino is situated next to one of the most beautiful courses in Europe. For playing golf in the Ticino, staying in the nearby Residenza Giardino is a good bet for a longer stay. There are five flats available on a weekly rental basis. The two restaurants are quite good. The Ristorante Aphrodite is the more formal, but while the food is good, to our taste it does not quite live up to its publicity. Our favorite was the more relaxed Osteria Giardino whose Italian food was not only more consistent but was of a higher quality. The breakfast buffet is superb, about the best and largest we have ever experienced, with an amazing selection of choices to suit every nationality from a table of breads, another of cold meats, cheeses, hot and cold cereals of every description, a whole table of fruit (fresh, in syrup and dried and in juice form), preserves, and twenty different loose teas. In the warm weather snacks and grilled specialities are served pool side. (Reviews of the restaurants will be available soon.) Walking around this lovely town and around the lake Maggiore is decidedly one of the pleasures of the visit.
The grounds are well kept and spacious. The hotel is covered with ivy which gives it a traditional look that its 1960's architecture do not. A lovely formal pond creates a watery landscaping in the back with lily pads and fountains. A stone ballastraded walkway splits the pond in two with several wide spots to give a home to the many modern art sculptures that add a grace and style to the grounds. Aviaries with singing birds, tents reminiscent of medieval jousting, colorful plantings, shady trees and large grassy swards make this a truly lovely spot. Dining is available inside or under the "roll away" glass vaulted terrace "indoor/outdoor" space. So whatever your luck is with the weather, your environment is lovely if not necessarily charming. The public rooms have all been redecorated with bold Italian colors and is filled with fun and whimsy. On cold rainy days it still feels warm and not just because of the roaring fire place. On summer days the light pours in. There is even a computer room provided for guests, so you never need be out of email communication if you don't want to be.
Most of the rooms have been redecorated as well in 2002 again with an Italian whimsy and charm. Warm colors abound. Bathrooms are smallish but well equiped even to the latest thing in "bidet" toilets with "blow dry" feature. Just don't lean on the toilet seat (which when pressed connects with a micro switch) when pushing the flush lever. A squirt in the face can be an aquatic surprise. This is a hotel almost totally dedicated to holiday makers. Since there are no business seminars and work groups, there are no groups in suits to take the edge off your enjoyment of fun in the sun or lazing by the pool. Albergo Giardino
Driving Instructions; |
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