Hotel Villa Del Sogno Garda Lake

In a splendid position sloping down towards the Lake, Villa del Sogno is a romantic “fin de siècle” Villa surrounded by a large centuries-old park, planted with tall trees and flowering gardens. The superb Terrace overlooking the azure water of Lake Garda has always enchanted travellers from all over the world.

Built in 1904 by the German silk industrialist Maximilian Heydweiller in a neoclassical style, today it is an exclusive and welcoming location in which the rooms and the suites, all furnished in different ways, offer the most modern comforts.

THE HISTORY
At the end of the nineteenth century, in the heart of the greatest period of development and transformation, Heydweiller Maximilian Friedrich, a leading member of the “dynasty” of silk industrialist Heydweiller from Krefeld in Germany, came to Gardone Riviera.

He bought a large portion of property, which probably belonged to the family of Faustino Cipani in Fasano and extended from the steep hills of “Gardone Sopra” to the lake shore of “Fasano”.

Numerous buildings, cottages and farmhouses belonged to the property; Maximilian Heydweiller was particularly impressed by a piece of land located on the top of a hill with a beautiful view of the lake, and in early 1900 commissioned the Architects “Voltz & Wimmer” from Strasbourg to build a representative prestigious house which had to become his residence.

The house was called “Villa Garda”. Villa Garda quickly became one of the most popular destinations of the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie from Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungary, who were passing through on Lake Garda.

In 1916, His Royal Highness the Duke of Aosta, commander of the 3rd Army, ordered the Military Command of Garda to requisition several villas and hotels in Gardone Riviera to convert them during the war years into War and Convalescent Hospital to care for the wounded returning from the front.

Villa Garda was deemed suitable to accomodate the Senior Officers in convalescence. This use of the house lasted until 1918, when the First World War came to an end.

The Military Command of Garda then left all properties acquired by the seizure against the German owners in the hands of the National Association Fighters until the time when the State authorized their sale.

In 1921 Giovanni Breda, a very wealthy man, decided to buy the vast property which belonged to the family Heydweiller in Fasano.

After taking possession of Villa Garda, Ing. Giovanni Breda, who had already had positions of great responsibility and a lot of prestige in the field of entrepreneurship, decided, after the mid-thirties, to realize his idea, which he had long dreamed of: to convert Villa Garda, his personal residence, into a first class hotel.

So in 1938, on the occasion of the new tourist season, Giovanni Breda decided to change the name of the villa and inaugurated the Hotel Villa del Sogno. In the first years of its activity, the hotel maintained a good level of employment, but in 1942 due to the inability to procure the necessary supplies and provisions, Giovanni Breda was forced to close the hotel.

The postwar period announced big changes. At Lake Garda many tourism entrepreneurs were involved in renewing their facilities, new hotels were opened and the first campsites were built. Giovanni Breda pledged again to return to the prewar Villa del Sogno prestige and selected customers began to visit Villa del Sogno and confirmed from year to year their presence.

In Spring 1986, the entire property of the Hotel Villa del Sogno, including all forniture and the great park that covers over 35,000 square meters was purchased by the Calderan Family, which is still taking care of the Villa with love and passion.

ROOMS & SUITES
The beautiful Villa overlooking the lake offers its guests elegant Suites with breathtaking panoramic views and modern amenities to ensure a relaxing stay and romantic holidays at Lake Garda.

HEYDWEILLER SUITE
Large Suite in Liberty style, 60 MQ. lake view without terrace on the ground floor of the Villa, it was once used as a billiard room. It has a large glass door which separates the living room from the sleeping room together with a large fireplace in style.

TOWER SUITE
Large Suite, 50 MQ on the top floor of the Villa with the Tower, in which a 12 MQ wellness centre with Jacuzzi has been created with access to an exclusive 20 MQ large private terrace on the roof.

You can enjoy a breathtaking view of the whole lake as well as the beautiful Vittoriale, the house of Gabriele D’annunzio, to which the furnishing of the room has been inspired.

VISTA SUITE
Large Suite, 60 MQ, on the top floor of the villa with a private wellness centre of 12 MQ with Jacuzzi and massage bed as well as a 18 MQ large terrace with a breathtaking view of the whole lake and the surrounding mountains. Its furnishing is in Biedermeier Style with wooden floor, marble bathroom with shower.

RESTAURANT MAXIMILIAN
A pleasant evening overlooking the lake… A delicious dinner on the terrace to celebrate a special moment and make it an unforgettable one… The soft candlelight for looking through things and for dreaming…..

The magic of a place to stop time and steal the deepest emotions, thanks to Bacchus, the alchemy of cooking and caring.. discreet and welcoming … The restaurant “Maximilian” offers unforgettable dinners by candlelight in summer on the terrace overlooking the lake.

It offers an à la carte Menu with typical dishes of Italian cuisine with a modern twist and a wine list with the best Italian wines which boasts the “red Bunch” in the Guide Michelin.

Weekly we propose a menu with typical products of our region to promote the culinary traditions of Lake Garda and in Summer a Flaming menu. Reservation is required. It ‘s open daily in the summer season from h. 20:00 to h. 22.00.

GARDEN BAR & RESTAURANT
The Garden Bar & Restaurant by the pool overlooking the lake is perfect for refreshments on summer days, between a cooling dip in the water and sunbathing. Cold dishes and salads, pasta, fish and grilled meat dishes can be found on the menu. Open from May to September from h. 11.00 a.m. to h. 6:00 p.m.

AMERICAN BAR
The American Bar provides a list of the best cocktails and spirits. It is dedicated to those who don’t want to give up the sweet fragrance of Cuban tobacco, the taste of a decades-old Armagnac along with the sound of an old piano.

The America Bar on the terrace of the Villa allows seeing the distant lights almost asleep on the lake tracing the path of memories with passion and serenity.

The American Bar serves also the “All Day Lunch” menu which offers all the typical dishes of Italian cuisine and the opportunity to dine free when and where you want: in your room or on the terrace from 12:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Open from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

WEDDINGS ON GARDA LAKE
Thanks to its unique location, the beautiful landscape, its romantic charm, Villa del Sogno is also a perfect location for special events and ceremonies. The villa can host weddings, ceremonies and gala dinners for a limited number of guests.

The restaurant Maximilian can accomodate 60 people on the terrace and in two rooms of 60 and 30 people respectively. Starting from 2018 our villa can be the right location for civil weddings.

EVENTS
Throughout the season, the Hotel offers its guests pleasant musical evenings. The importance of the participating musicians has grown over the course of the years. The musical calendar of Villa del Sogno, has become so significant that it also attracts outside audiences. Events are held on the Terrace in summer or inside the American Bar on other evenings of the year.

THE PARK
The Villa is situated on the top of a hill surrounded by an old park of 35.000 square metres, a botanical garden full of innumerable and rare plants.

In 1903 the German silk industrialist Maximilian Heydweiller bought a large piece of land which stretched from the extreme hilly areas of “Gardone Sopra” to the lake shore of Fasano and commissioned the architects “Volz & Wimmer” of Strasburg to plan a prestigious and representative Villa.

The famous botanist Wilhelm Halm, to whom Gardone Riviera owes the fame of “Garden City”, was assigned to change the hill into a large and valuable park.

The splendid location offers the Hotel Villa del Sogno a wide, unique and bright view of the Lake Garda which seems to lie at its foot like a calm blue carpet that offers different emotions at the changing of every new light. Gabriele D’Annunzio called the terrace of Villa del Sogno: The most beautiful terrace of Lake Garda.

THE SWIMMING POOL
The swimming pool of the Hotel is situated in the park close to the tennis court and one of the neoclassical temples that enrich the charm of teh garden. It measures 15 m. x 8 m. It has a maximum depth of 1.50 m. and is purified naturally with sea salt.

For all guests a parasol and two sunbeds as well as pool towels are provided at the pool. The bathrooms with heated showers and the dressing rooms ensure the special comfort that characterizes Villa del Sogno even in this area.

TENNIS
A tennis court with synthetic grass can be found in our park – an ideal place to practice this sport and relax. It costs Euro 15.00 per hour. Rackets and balls are available free of charge at the reception. On request you can book lessons with a professional instructor.

SPA & FITNESS
In our wellness center, professional staff will be at your disposal for beauty treatments and relaxing massages on request and upon reservation. Our treatments have been conceived in order to harmonize body mind and soul.

Our goal is to offer our guests an unforgettable holiday in the wonderful frame of our Villa del Sogno and Lake Garda, full of colours and flavours, where nature is the predominant element.

GARDA LAKE
Lake Garda is the largest and brightest of the Italian lakes, with its unique climate, its “Limonaie” (lemon houses) and its shores, which are large and welcoming in the southern part, steep and mountainous in the windy northern part.

Lake Garda with its centuries-old olive trees, which give unique oil, full of sweet fragrance and of excellent quality. Lake Garda with its clear water, which allows swimming as well as all types of water sports.

Sailing, which finds its highest expression in the international race of “Centomiglia” together with golf, played in numerous courses located among the hills, which offer great images of the lake.

Lake Garda offers the chance to choose among all water sports, walks on the beach and in the hinterland, visits to historic towns, shopping, typical local food and wine tours and everything a wide variety of tourist cities can offer in terms of entertainment and fun for every age and taste.

The area is also rich in monuments and memories of the history of Italy, which are often a destination for sightseeing and tours.

GARDONE RIVIERA
An illustrious personality of Austrian origin, Luigi Wimmer, decided to build the first hotel in Gardone Riviera, having found enormous benefits from the stay in this poetic area. In a short time Gardone became an exclusive destination for tourists from all over Europe.

The great poet Gabriele D’Annunzio chose to live on the hills behind this area, building the Cittadella of Vittoriale, an eclectic miscellany of buildings and heterogeneous styles suspended in an atmosphere of the past.

From 1943 to 1945 Gardone was the theatre of the Social Republic, ceding its historic buildings for use by various government ministries.Time has brought additional fascination to this place with its ancient atmosphere, in which narrow lanes wind among charming villas with sumptuous gardens.

Nature and art merge, creating unique and fascinating environments such as the fabulous Villa Alba and the original Hruska botanic gardens. The exceptionally mild climate makes a stay in Gardone Riviera throughout the year particularly pleasant.

CRUISE ON GARDA LAKE
A fleet of twenty units that daily ply the waters of the lake are the naval transport network that the Lake Garda offers. Fast and modern hydrofoils, smooth motorboats and traditional paddle steamers are some of the ways, in which visitors can approach the most interesting and picturesque villages:

• Malcesine
• Sirmione
• Riva della Garda
• Limone
• Torri del Benaco.

On board, you will enjoy the typical sparkling air of the Lake Garda, admiring from a different and new point of view the many beautiful sites that the large lake offers its visitors.

ARENA OF VERONA
One of the best-preserved Roman Amphitheatres, it dates back to the first half of the 1st century B.C. The splendid Arena is sheltered in the central Piazza Bra and is considered the icon of Verona.

Long used for spectacles such as battles between gladiators, jousts, and tournaments, today it is considered the most important open-air lyric theatre. Every summer it hosts the Lyric Festival, a major opera event boasting prestigious titles such as Verdi’s Aida, Puccini’s Tosca and Bizet’s Carmen.

SANTA GIULIA MUSEUM
The historic centre of the city of Brescia is home to the rich and varied museum complex of Santa Giulia, based in the Benedictine convent of San Salvatore and Santa Giulia, founded in 753 B.C. by the Lombardian king Desiderio.

Reopened with a splendid new look after nearly a decade of restoration work, completed in 1998, the museum offers two paths to visitors: one based on the history of the museum itself, and the other, more general, divided into historic areas. In addition, there are various temporary exhibitions dedicated to individual artists and periods.

BOTANICAL GARDEN
Nature and art merge to create a unique environment for a sensory voyage to recover harmony of the body and spirit: the Hruska Botanical Gardens.

This magical place, owned by the ‘André Heller’ Foundation since 1998, was created by Arturo Hruska, who collected approximately 500 species of plants from 1910 to 1971 , also recreating their natural environments and microclimates.

The park also boasts sculptures by important internationally known artists such as Keith Haring and, in the summer period, it becomes an attractive setting for events and of contemporary art happenings.

LAKE TOURS
Thanks to the passion of the inhabitants for this land, along with the natural conformation of the territory and the particular climatic conditions that characterize the eastern area of the Garda, new and diverse ways have been created to enjoy the best that the lake offers.

You may explore the Strada dei Vini (wine road) and the flavours of Lake Garda to discover typical products offered by many agricultural businesses of the region, or try adventures in naturalistic and archaeological excursions aboard underwater viewing vessels; discover the phases of production of the ancient quarters with which the Valle delle Cartiere di Toscolano was once populated, visit the Neogothic-Venetian villas that dominate the Isola della Garda or enjoy the breathtaking panorama offered by the Rocca of Manerba and the Terrace of the Brivido of Tremosine.

ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGES
Gardone Riviera and the hotel Villa del Sogno are located just a few kilometres from the most interesting and varied entertainment and diversions the area of Garda Lake offers:

• aquatic parks,
• theme parks
• natural parks
• a zoo.

On the eastern shore of the lake there are the major and most important amusement parks. Gardaland, in Castelnuovo della Garda, among the largest and best-known parks in Europe; Movieland and Canevaworld in Lazise, for enjoying breathtaking dives into pools and cinematographic sets; Parco Natura Viva and Zoosafari in Bussolengo, to discover rare animal species, and Jungle Adventure in Lumini, to test your skills on tightropes and rope bridges in a natural setting.

There are also numerous facilities on the southern part of the lake, including Waterland and Acquapark Altomincio. All the parks can be easily reached by car and also offer a network of shuttle bus services.

EXCURSIONS
The Parco Alto Garda offers a wide range of open-air activities in contact with nature. The close network of trails winding around the mountain peaks of the park is the ideal destination for hikers seeking peace and picturesque views. For sports lovers, the park offers and infinity of possible options for the most diverse tastes:

• white-water rafting
• horseback riding
• mountain bikes
• parasailing
• hang-gliders
• archery
• sports fishing.

GOLF
Golf stands among the activities that can be practiced in this area. Playing Golf on Lake Garda is a unique experience thanks to the beautiful golf courses designed in a very special way that blend with the many faces of the landscape typical of the areas of Lake Garda.

The courses are practiced throughout the year and present a challenge for both beginners and passionate players. The Hotel Villa del Sogno is located just at a short distance from five of the most famous golf courses at Lake Garda. Each course has its own peculiarities and characteristics that make the sport more fun and exciting.

Rooms: 35

Price: from 222 EUR per night

Source: www.villadelsogno.it