I'm really torn writing this review…read more The Arco Guest Houses are one of the best kept secrets in Lake Garda (Gardasee) area and their English moniker doesn't do them justice. I'm risking letting the proverbial cat out of the bag. These are two stately houses that have been converted to self-catering vacation apartments. Mediaeval marble and limestone courtyard and exterior meets modern Italian interior design in the vein of Alessi, Zanussi and Cassina. The property is immaculate and is nestled in an ancient neighborhood on a hill top a few miles from the north end of the Lake and a short walk through the olive groves to downtown Arco. I've uploaded pictures of the views from our balcony. Guests are mostly German families and outdoor enthusiasts. Hans Martin the host is warm, welcoming and efficient. He's a wealth of local knowledge, from restaurants to mountain trails to the latest night-spots and beach weather. In Arco you have the lake and the mountains at your fingertips and yet none of the tourism-crush like the towns directly on the Garda shore. Downtown Arco has everything you need for your Garda vacation, restaurants, cafes, bars, markets, bike & climbing shops, you name it. Nestled against the mountains, Arco is also an ideal base for hiking, climbing and mountain biking in the vast Trentino backcountry. I can highly recommend staying at the Guest Houses in Arco your next trip to Lake Garda area.