The first thing that strikes you upon arrival are the thick walls surrounding this 1689 monastery. Shielded behind it, one finds a tranquility that is really special on the much-visited Lake Garda. A couple from South Tyrol had the »Monastero Arx Vivendi«, which opened in 2021, renovated and clearly paid attention to preserving the spiritual atmosphere. For 70 years this part of the monastery, the south wing, was empty after the nuns had moved out.
You can also relax here because the operators have opted for a simple design: a long, snow-white corridor leads to the breakfast room. The round arches and religious ornaments meet minimalist furniture, black design lamps let the old vaulted ceilings shine. In the monastery garden you lie with only a few other guests between cypresses and chirping insects, bathe in the sky-blue pool and look at the sky. Even the clouds pass more slowly here, at least that’s how it seems.
If it rains, you can relax in the hammam with the best view of the Arco castle ruins. During the day you might meet one of the neighbors from the north wing: this is still inhabited by four nuns. In the evening you treat yourself to a gin fizz on the hotel terrace, fall into a deep, soft four-poster bed in your former monastery cell and fall asleep in peace with the window open.
Monastero Arx Vivendi
Via Mantova 13
38062 Arco, Italy
Double room from 206 euros/night including breakfast.