Hotel Catullo

Hotel Catullo is one of Sirmione's historic hotels: according to the house, it holds the town's first licence for a public establishment. It is run by the Barelli family, with Fabio and Elena at the helm, and is inside the historic centre, in Piazza Flaminia, beside the lake and a few minutes' walk from the Scaligero castle and the Grotte di Catullo. Staying here is the way to see Sirmione early in the morning and at night, when the groups have gone.

The rooms

It has 56 rooms, all with lift access, private bathroom, air conditioning, free wifi, television, minibar and safe. The 44 standard rooms face the inner gardens or the village's streets and squares, and some give a glimpse of the lake; they have modern furniture. The 10 superior rooms have a balcony and an open lake view, with more classic decoration. If you are coming for the lake, ask for a superior when you book.

The hotel and the lake

The best thing about the house is its landing stage over the water, reserved for guests, with sun loungers and parasols, direct access for swimming and a small bar next to it. There is a garden, a covered terrace facing the lake and a restaurant with a menu, where breakfast is also served; in good weather you eat outside, over the water. Dogs and cats are accepted.

Getting there and parking

Sirmione's centre is a limited-traffic zone. The hotel has a private parking service at Grifo Parking in Piazzale Europa, 500 metres away, for €20 a day paid at the hotel; from there you walk or your luggage is taken in an electric vehicle. When you book they send you the instructions for entering. From Verona airport it is about 30 kilometres along the road on the south of the lake.

The website does not publish an official star rating, check-in and check-out times or prices: check them when booking on its booking engine.