Fodor's Expert Review Palace Hotel Villa Cortine

This former private villa in a secluded park is known for its bucolic lakeside setting, charming decor of the older rooms, and accommodating staff. The hotel dominates a low hill, and the grounds—a mixture of lawns, trees, statues, and fountains—go right down to the lake. The villa itself dates from the early part of the 19th century, although a wing was added in 1952: ask for a higher floor for a better lake view.