This is a reasonable hotel, so long as you don’t want a 4-star experience from this 4-star establishment. The main problem is that the management don’t seem to care enough.

You don’t expect Italian hotel staff to be brimming with bonhomie, but the reception staff at the Salo du Parc are charmless to the point of rudeness. Should you wish to complain (and we had a few reasons to), expect them to ignore your requests or simply argue with you. The manageress must train her staff from the basis that the customer is never right.

When we asked to swap our dinner for the lunch option as stated in the brochure (we were on half board), you’d think we’d asked them to arrange for the Pope to say Grace at every meal. “Yes, of course, no problem” is not a phrase they understand. The alternative tactic they employ is to let you think they’re being responsive – like sorting out a problem with the safe, or replenishing the minibar – and then do absolutely nothing. And if a telephone message arrives, don’t expect them to pass it on.

The cleaning staff are friendly and polite, but the hero of this place is Maurizio, the over-worked head waiter. We stayed for a week, and he was there every morning, every lunchtime and every evening. He does everything, and his helpfulness and friendly banter with the guests was in marked contrast to the reception staff.

The rooms are large, and the lake views attractive. The furnishings, however, are cheap and dated. Handles fall off doors, wardrobe doors don’t shut properly, bath fittings don’t work and the furniture in our room looked like it came from an MFI clearance sale.

On the positive side, the food is pretty good and the pool/garden area is pleasant. It’s only five minutes’ walk to the bars and restaurants of Salo, although by Italian standards they are fairly ordinary. Salo is, however, one of the more attractive Lake Garda towns.

It's unlikely we'll return to Salo, but it's an absolute definite that we won't be going back to the Salo du Parc.