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Review submitted by Robert from Eldwick, Bingley. (Submitted: 11 Jul 2012)
Very pleased with the position and the quality of the pool and surrounding amenities. We really enjoyed the week and apart from a couple of minor problems (the sliding door from the kitchen/living room to the main bedroom jammed with our 1 year old grandson and father locked in the bedroom!) and a slight problem with the gas hob we would certainly consider returning - both problems were sorted out quite quickly.
Review submitted by Elaine from Braintree (Submitted: 26 Sep 2011)
This property exceeded our expectations, the most beautiful setting with a spectacular view of the lake - even when you are standing washing up! The italian families made us feel very welcome, we felt like we fell into their routine of eating on the terrace and enjoying the warm evenings, the only noise was people enjoying the outdoors, eating, talking and playing cards, if we went to bed earlier the voices could not be heard at all inside and everyone went inside by midnight. The pool was wonderful and oversized is a good description, the atmosphere around 4 oclock in the afternoon was great with the children and their families all enjoying themselves. The apartment was perfect for our family with two children of 13 and 10 with the downstairs bedroom giving everyone their own space, I was concerned about the damp remark previously but we kept the de-humidifier running and encountered no smell at all. We called the managers, as the outside light bulb needed replacing and they came by that afternoon, a lovely couple. The town was a pleasant walk downhill and was particularly quiet ,we felt, for August which was very welcome. The apartment is one of the best we have stayed in and we would book again without hesitation.
Review submitted by Robin from Potters Bar (Submitted: 16 Aug 2011)
Very good location. Property set in very pleasant grounds. The Italian neighbours were a little noisy, particularly the kids, until very late in the evening, which spoilt things a little. Basement area smelt rather musty and damp, and it was necessary to have the dehumidifier on continuously during the day. Some of the china (particularly the cups) were chipped already and should be replaced. Didnt see the management team at any time during our stay - this was not a problem though: the fresh towels and bed linen we had requested were delivered at the end of the first week while we were out.
Review submitted by Matt from Woking (Submitted: 17 Jul 2011)
Excellent accommodation in a beautiful setting with gorgeous views over Lake Garda. The apartment was very well equipped, with all accessories and equipment for self catering with supermarket nearby by. The well maintained property and relaxing setting make this an ideal place to holiday.
Review submitted by Stephen from Thame (Submitted: 2 Sep 2010)
This is set in a wonerfully quiet area above Gardone and the view from the balcony & pool area is stunning. It is a steep walk of about 10 minutes or so but we never felt the need to drive, even with young children.
The property is well maintained and very clean. The downstairs area is in the basement and was always nice and cool, which the children appreciated. Although the temperature was up to 30 dergrees every day, the ceiling fans upstairs did a good job so air conditioning not really required.
Would definitely book again.
Negative points are minor - Check in/out times are a little severe at 5pm and 9am respectively. The cleaners were sitting on the patio at 8.45 waiting for us to leave, which wasnt appreciated.
The bedding downstairs was a little grubby with a few marks on the blankets and some of the towels provided were well past their best.
Review submitted by Cathy from Edinburgh (Submitted: 5 Aug 2008)
Lovely house, great pool, and fantastic backup from the contact in Italy. The only negative really was that although it was mostly very peaceful you are very dependent on who else is staying- we had a very noisy family to the side of us for part of the time. The house is very nice and well equipped, although the basement room was rather damp. The surroundings are beautiful and the pool is a very good in size.
Review submitted by Morag from Dunbar (Submitted: 21 Jul 2008)
Fabulous property - very comfortable and well equipped. Almost everything in the apartment came from IKEA, so its functional rather than charming - but hey, it works! Great location - loved the pool and patio with its view of the lake. We needed to contact Sarah, the property manager, once and she was very pleasant and helpful. As other reviewers have mentioned, the property is up a steep hill but its a price worth paying for the views. The basement room is pretty damp and we were slightly worried about one of our sons who has asthma, but he was fine and all 3 kids loved "their" room - and "their" PS2! Finally, the "neighbours" are very friendly, our kids had a great time playing out with their Italian buddies.
Review submitted by Maurice from Dublin (Submitted: 13 May 2008)
The property was very clean and spacious. There are effectively two living quarters, upstairs has a dinning room and a separate bedroom with a bathroom en-suite, downstairs has a separate living quarters which is large and has a separate bathroom and shower. It can get cool at night downstairs. While I visited it in early May I would say upstairs could get very humid during the summer as there is no air conditioning, but there are two circular fans, one in the living room and one in the bedroom.
The view across the lake from the apartment is lovely. It is very relaxing in the evening to sit outside and enjoy the view of the lake. The complex comprises a number of units, and while most of the units were vacant when I visited, when all the units are occupied, it would not be very private as the units are close together. The swimming pool does not open until the 15th May and while it was closed when I visited, it is a nice size and it is gated so that young children should not be able to get access to it.
The town of Gardone Rivera is about 1km away, but you have to negotiate a very steep hill. I have two young children 6 and 4 and they walked up it every night and while it is a steep climb, it is manageable, but will be difficult for older people who have impaired mobility. The town of Gardone Rivera is very nice with restaurants on the lakefront and in the old town. A restaurant in the old town well worth visiting is Agli Angeli. Gardone Rivera was quiet in early May and the town of Salo nearby is lovely with some nice restaurant on the lakefront, place to go is Ristorante Papillon.
Overall I would recommend the property. On the positives, apartment is spacious and clean, view is lovely, you can walk to the town of Gardone Riviera and the town of Salo is a very short drive away. Things to consider, maybe humid during the summer inside the apartment given that their is no air conditioning, it might not be very private during the peak summer season and hill is steep
Review submitted by KEITH from Caergwrle (Submitted: 16 Sep 2007)
Location, complex and appartment were all first class. Residnts were friendly and welcoming. We found the hill ok but it could be a problem if you had youngsters and were without a car.
Salo and Gardone had everything and we will certainly come back.
The only minuses:Damp patches by the beds downstairs were a bit off-putting and there was only one out of five bulbs working in the downstairs shower room with no spares.
Owner reply:
Hello Keith many thanks for your review. The damp patches will be fixed this winter and note taken about the bulbs! many thanks and do come back soon.
Review submitted by Jill from Bexleyheath (Submitted: 25 Aug 2007)
Location slightly misleading as there was no mention of it being up a steep hill and this would have been a difficult walk with very young children or an older person. It stated that a car was not necessary but we did have ours so we could drive and as our children are older they were fine with the walk.
The views were lovely and the property was very well appointed. We had a lovely time and shops, restaurants were all very nearby.
Review submitted by Julia from Essex (Submitted: 10 Aug 2007)
The apartment was of a very high standard and the setting is stunning. The hill's a bit of a killer but beats 20 minutes on the step machine in an English gym. We managed to see and do an awful lot even though we didn't have a car by using ferries, buses and taxis. One tip: if you;d like to hire a motor boat on the lake and you have no car we recommend Rappydrive (based in Moniga) who will come and collect you/drop you off from Gardone in their big, yellow, EXTREMELY powerful rigid inflatable boat. It's an experience in itself!
Review submitted by Alison from Glasgow (Submitted: 19 Jul 2007)
The property is very nice, although up a long, steep hill - I would think a car is essential unless you are fearless - there are few lights on the hill at night. The swimming pool has endless rules, don't be as fazed as I was, the other residents are very relaxed and friendly. Gardone is a quiet, elegant village with some shops and a choice for cafes and restuarants. Salo proved to be a real winner for us, it was a short drive in the other direction. The complex is very child friendly, there are lots of them about, but is does quieten down during siesta.
Review submitted by brigid from newry (Submitted: 7 Jul 2007)
property very clean and confortable beautiful view only one downfall i think a car is necassary as the hill up to the property is very steep
Review submitted by Andrew from Broadbottom, Cheshire (Submitted: 3 Jul 2007)
This was one of the best holidays my family and I have ever had. Clean, classic very, very different.
We will definitely use your services again. Can you just teach the Italians how to drive.
Review submitted by Tami from London (Submitted: 6 Jun 2007)
A great spot. A well furnished holiday home with fabulous views and a lovely pool. You need a car (especially with kids) as it is up a steep hill. Only downside is that the downstairs room is a bit cold and dark - take slippers!
Review submitted by John from Wheathampstead (Submitted: 24 Aug 2006)
The apartment was well equiped (plenty of plates, pans etc) and was beautifully decorated. The description of the pool and apartment undersold the apartment. The views from the apartment and poolside are stunning.
We were a little concerned that apartment/pool would be very quiet and that we would constantly telling our three children to be quiet but there were a number of Italian families with young children so it was fine (but definitely not noisy). Our children made friends with the other children despite the language barrier and had a great time. It felt like we were in Italy rather than part of a complex that could be anywhere in Europe, if that makes sense.
We often walked down to Gardone for the shops and resturants - well the ice-cream in the Yellow Penguin.
We shall come back and recommended the apartment and area to a number of friends.
Review submitted by Kate from UK (Submitted: 8 Aug 2006)
Two points: - a warning should be displayed to advise that only one of the three high current devices ie, cooker, dish-washer and washing machine can be used at any one time. Otherwise the trip which is secreted outside the complex will blow and there are no insrtructions as to what to do if it does.
The complex should be rated in your literature as EXTREMELY child friendly. The large number of small children were not a problem for us as we used the pool at early morning and late evening and during siesta.
Owner reply:
Thanks for your comments. The point about electricity is a good one, and valid for all properties in Italy - residential properties usually have a 3.3 kw limit for energy savings reasons. This means you generally cannot use lots of appliances at the same time.
We have added instructions now on what to do if the tripswitch cuts off the electricity if the maximum limit is exceeded.
Review submitted by JAN from WORCESTER PARK, SURREY (Submitted: 4 Jul 2006)
The property is in a superb location with the view from the terrace a joy to wake up to each day, However, it is situated up a steep hill which we were not aware of, you do therefore need a car or should be prepared to take a taxi ride back up if carrying shopping or if you are elderly or infirm, we found that many restaurants and Hotels were more than happy to help you find a taxi as they are a bit few and far between! The complex is beautifully maintained with an excellent swimming pool but can be quite noisy with the resident children playing until late at night! They are however, quite delightful and the neighbours very friendly but, don't expect peace and quiet!!
The apartment was spotlessly clean and stylishly decorated but we found the downstairs accommodation dark and slightly damp and the beds not suitable fo adults. We also felt that there should have been more bedding, tea towels etc. supplied in order to be able to change the beds mid-holiday!
Our opinion is that this a stunning location in a sophisticated resort which gives access by boat and bus to many more wonderful resorts around the lake and that we had a brilliant holiday in a beautiful part of Italy to which we will return!
Review submitted by Matthew from Chelmsford, Essex (Submitted: 25 Jun 2006)
One tip for finding the property; When you drive through Gardone Riviera, the trick is to look out for a nightclub sign - Rimbalzella, then turn left up the steep road marked Morgnaga. You will find I Molini shortly before the Hotel Montifiore.
There are many positives about I Molini. It feels exclusive, discreet and tranquil as soon as you step through the gates. The pool area was really attractive and never busy. The other residents were all italian, polite and relaxed.
Being on the ground floor, we expected the view from the patio to be compromised, but its fantastic. Inside, the property is spacious and open plan. Just about every detail is tasteful and modern. Very difficult to criticise. The master bedroom was especially attractive.
The basement is down a set of tiled stairs, which isn't ideal if you have a toddler, and the basement itself was quite cold, but it was spacious and would suit a couple of older children.
One concern was the proximity of a supermarket. Thankfully theres one at the bottom of the hill if you follow the path which winds around in front of I Molini.
The promonade and ferry point are about 20 minutes walk away - with 4 or 5 restaurants to choose from.
All in all we had a great holiday, and were very glad we chose I Molini.