Nestled in the rural landscape, overlooking the River Mincio, and just a few kilometres south of the idyllic Lake Garda, is Borgo Stazione Bike Inn. This 4-star hotel provides visitors with much more than a convenient place to stay when exploring this stunning part of northern Italy. Borgo Stazione Bike Inn holds a fascinating history with its own intriguing stories to tell.
Borgo Stazione Bike Inn is the feature hotel of our Cycling Lake Garda with E-Bike trip. To learn more about the delights and discoveries that await you at this enchanting place to stay, we check in with Marzia Santilli, a member of the Stazione team. Below, she gives us a unique insight into what to expect when you come to visit.
Borgo Stazione Bike Inn was not always a charming hotel, welcoming guests to this picturesque region. As its name suggests, it was once a train station, fully operational until the early 1960s, providing connections from Mantua to Peschiera del Garda and Brescia. Marzia explains how the groundwork was laid for the railway in the latter half of the 1800s. However, due to various challenges, the line did not become active until the summer of 1934. “From then, the ‘Littorina’, a typical 1930s train named after its motorcar, glided parallel to the Mincio river, intersecting the lives of commuters, students, and visitors alike,” describes Marzia.
Over time, as the road networks in the area improved, the railway was phased out. By 1966, the tracks had been removed, and the buildings began to fall into disrepair, obscured by vegetation. Yet, there was another life for the path the railway line left behind. It provided the ideal opportunity for a cycling route. This route remains popular with visitors today and is the one you can follow on our Cycling Lake Garda trip.
This seven-day holiday provides several routes for you to ride throughout the holiday, starting from Borgo Stazione Bike Inn each day. For example, you can follow the bike path alongside the Mincio River to the medieval town of Lazise. Situated beside Lake Garda’s waters, its colourful harbour makes for a pleasing place to pause and enjoy a refreshment break. Venture a little inland to the glorious Valpolicella Vineyards, and you can sample some of Italy’s finest red wines. If you enjoy wine tasting, Marzia also recommends visiting the wine regions of Lugana and Custoza, which are known for their fruity white wines.
But what happened to the train station when the railway line was dismantled? Marzia explains how renovation began in September 2019 to transform it into the charming hotel guests can visit today. “The guiding principle underlying the entire project was to evoke a sense of wonder for our guests while simultaneously commemorating the place and the surrounding area’s history,” she describes. “We aimed to preserve the historic charm in the restored building while maintaining harmony with the surroundings by using clean lines, natural colours and sustainable materials.”
Marzia continues, “Guests stay in refurbished train carriages while the old loading platform has been converted into our hotel pool. And then we have the treehouse, inspired by the presence of large lime trees emitting an intoxicating fragrance during blossoming—all these ideas and dreams come to life at Borgo Stazione.”
The hotel has also been designed with cyclists in mind. There’s a dedicated bike storage room, as well as laundry facilities, which often come in handy on active trips! Using your e-bike on our Cycling Lake Garda trip, you’ll be able to make the most of what this captivating region has to offer, whether that’s discovering the UNESCO heritage sites in Peschiera del Garda, the picture-postcard peninsula of Sirmione or the magnificent Renaissance architecture of Mantua. And after these action-packed days, the luxuries at the Borgo Stazione Bike Inn await you. Relax in the externally heated hot tub or the spa area that includes a sauna and Turkish bath, and soon, any aches from a day’s cycling will melt away.
The restaurant for Borgo Stazione Bike Inn is conveniently located, just a short walk away. “Chefs Leonardo and Michele serve a blend of traditional Italian and regional dishes alongside international fare, all prepared using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients,” says Marzia. “The slow-cooked mixed meat skewer, tenderised for eight hours, is a popular choice among our guests.” Sounding utterly delicious; this is understandable!
When it’s time to retire for the day, you can look forward to unwinding in one of the Bike Inn’s unique rooms. “Each one caters to different types of guests and their reasons for staying,” Marzia explains. “Double rooms overlooking the garden are ideal for couples or cyclists, while family rooms spread over two levels with hammocks suit active families. The treehouse offers a special and surprising experience, and the Wagon Apartment is perfect for larger families or groups of friends.” You’ll also find bathrobes and flip-flops in each room, adding that extra touch of luxury and comfort.
We ask Marzia if she has any other top tips for visiting this captivating region around Lake Garda. “If you can come in Spring, you get to enjoy the full blossom of the Sigurtà Garden Park (the botanic garden nearby) and that of the lotus flower on the lakes surrounding Mantua,” she shares. Marcia also recommends visiting Borghetto sul Mincio. Regarded as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, Borghetto sul Mincio is backed by the rising morainic hills. With its riverside location and intriguing medieval history, visitors enjoy lingering here and soaking up its captivating atmosphere.
Staying at the Borgo Stazione Bike Inn is a memorable experience like no other. Not only is it perfectly positioned to explore the stunning landscape around Lake Garda on our e-bike cycling trip, but it offers its own curiosity and character that, alongside its comforts and touches of luxury, make it an extraordinary place to stay.
Please visit our Cycling Lake Garda with E-Bike trip page to learn more about this holiday, or get in touch with our friendly team if you have any questions.
