Locanda San Vigilio by Claire Gervat

Sublimely elegant and tranquil, Locanda San Vigilio is a tiny gem of a hotel, part of a small peninsular estate belonging to the Counts Guarienti on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Those arriving by land enter the grounds along an avenue of cypress trees, behind which lie scented gardens of orange and lemon trees, interspersed with classical statues. Even more magical, if that’s possible, is arriving by boat at the diminutive private port once captured in paint by John Singer Sargent. Behind is a small cluster of time-softened buildings, including the Locanda itself, which has been welcoming travellers since the start of the 16th century. Fortunately, the facilities have been updated since then, so that each of the seven rooms – four doubles and three suites – has such modern essentials as air conditioning, telephones and satellite television. The décor, however, is reassuringly tasteful and antique, as is much of the furniture, and most of the rooms have their original dark-wood ceilings. As well as a well-regarded small restaurant – in the garden in summer – there is a wonderfully cosy and welcoming bar where they serve up delicious ‘rossinis’ (prosecco with fresh strawberry juice), best enjoyed at one of the tables round the port as the dying rays of the sun turn the lake waters to gold. Guests are welcome to follow the narrow cobbled lane through the grounds to the tiny 12th-century church of San Vigilio, or stroll through olive and cypress groves to the supremely graceful main Villa, built in the 16th century to a design by Sanmicheli