Villa Feltrinelli, deserving in every way of its 5 star designation, is a fabulously restored villa hotel on the western shore of Lago di Garda just a little north of the beautiful lakeside town of Gargnano.

Originally built by the Feltrinelli family in 1892 in a neo-classical style with elements of the then popular Liberty/Art Deco style, the atmosphere of the hotel and its grounds is luxe through and through.

During the early 1940s, with the Allies gaining ground against Italy and Germany, the Villa because notorious as the residence of Benito Mussolini, who at that time had become a puppet of the Nazi regime.  Mussolini attempted an escape to Switzerland, but was captured by local partisans and executed.  The Villa was allowed to fall into decline.

In 1997, the property was purchased by Bob Burns, the internationally reknowned hotelier and founder of Regent International Hotels.  Mr Burns lavished money and skills on the refurbishment of the hotel and its grounds in a way that combines all the modern amenities and features that demanding quests expect, and an old world charm, sometimes verging on a voluptuous rusticity, that is rarely seen nowdays.

Guests are pampered in every way in very comfortable, richly appointed rooms, and they have access to a variety of lounges, bars, restaurants - even a library - where understated luxury is the watchword.

The menu features local and international cuisine expertly prepared by the head chef and his select staff; the wine list is large and consists of excellent vintages from around Italy and othe parts of Europe.

Guests will also enjoy the lakeside park and gardens - mostly done in the Italian style which manages to capture elegance and informality all at once.