Aqva Boutique Hotel

Lago di Garda, Italy’s biggest lake has always shimmered brightly, luring classic Roman poets, Italian aristos and the Hollywood elite for time immemorial. Perched on its lakeside is an original 1930s white villa, now cleverly reimagined for the nomads of the modernist style. With the feel of a hip in-the-know club for lido-lovers, Aqva Boutique Hotel’s modular alabaster-white building is fronted by a turquoise pool surrounded by sleek decking and a private pier jutting out onto the lake.

Simplistic, geometric and contemporary, Aqva with its iconic pilotis is in sharp design contrast to the ornate palazzos and the Medieval spa town of Sirmione with its walled harbour and hallmarks of the Habsburg Empire. Originally a 1930s family home drenched in the sunny privilege of its lakeside setting, the villa became slowly layered and crowded with frill and frivolity. It was the job of architect and owner Federica Mometto to literally strip back the overlaps and start the design process again, using the concepts left behind to build on its blueprint – letting ideas flourish naturally including the light which flooded in from the reflective lake and the use of original materials such as travertine marble and natural wood.

Lay by the pool and watch the colour pop of your Aperol spritz against the azure Garda waters. Gaze at the distant Dolomites before leaping into the lake. If activity strikes, hop on one of the hotel’s bikes for a ride to Sirmione or hire a boat to pootle around the isola’s and shoreline of exquisite Lake Garda. Aqva’s owners are a thoughtful pair, who’ve considered the guest in everything they do. From creating an adults-only haven to the simple and stylish interiors, there is an achingly cool calm that comes from their wise choices. Like the designer seating scattered around the exterior, there are many spots to sit back, take sundowner o’clock and sample a glass of local Lugana wine which comes with slivers of local ham.

This is villa life chilled on the lakeside where Monsieur Corbusier would not look out of place, and the go-to bolthole for those of you who appreciate the aesthetic of sleek 1930s Internationalism in all of its spatial play alla moderno.

Aqva Boutique Hotel has just 18 rooms, which continue the theme of considered, elegant design. Simplicity and comfort are driving factors with bright white walls, wooden floors, large floor-to-ceiling windows that not only frame serene lake views but let light land in patterns on the floor.

A monochromatic colour scheme sits alongside its modern décor creating a nest of sheer Zen.  Moulded Danish-style furniture, a modern geometric four-poster bed in dark-stained wood, mid-century lamps in black, and white linen bedding scattered with striped black and white cushions stays true to the minimalist design manifesto. Each room has its own slightly differing personality. Rooms on the first and second floor have terraces and balconies which are best for those that crave proximity to the life-affirming views of Lake Garda. All come with sleek bathrooms dotted with organic cosmetics.

Aqva Boutique Hotel is located at the southern end of Lake Garda, surrounded by three distinct regions of Lombardy, Trentino Alto-Adige and Veneto with views that stretch to the Dolomites. The freshwater lake of Garda reveals many treasures around its pretty shoreline. The thermal spa town of Sirmione has Medieval castle Rocca Scaligera to explore with its unique moat.

Further north of Lake Garda is the hillside writers retreat of famous Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio – a stunning setting of landscaped gardens, architecture and lake panoramas. The lake is also lovely for swimming or boat-tripping to Manerba, Isola del Garda and Punta San Vigilio.