We had previously stayed 3 nights at the Hotel Bristol, Riva, Lake Garda on the Newmarket 7 Cities Tour, which in my opinion was a lovely little hotel with a good breakfast and evening meal. It was a complete shock to the system on arrival at the Minerva. We had had a pep talk from the guide on the coach over to the Minerva (via a day trip to Florence). She had indicated that the hotel may be cold and that may be the dark wooden furniture may not be to everyone's taste (acutally it was far from cold, in fact the bedroom was far too hot - the furniture fine if a little old fashioned) furthermore that the Chef at the hotel was very proud of his cuisine (heaven knows why, it must have been typical Italian male machismo!!!!). We were informed that on our first night dinner would be a set meal.

As we arrived after a long day sightseeing, we were checked in speedily and informed that dinner would be 'pronto' at 7.45pm.

That first night was a shocker. We were forced to share a table with another couple who were complete strangers (all due respect to the couple but after having spent the day as a group it would have been nice to have a table to ourselves and I am sure they felt the same). The table itself was barely large enough for a two people let alone four, once the drinks were on the table there was little or no elbow room. My partner and I sat with our backs into the aisle and if any one of the other couple wanted to get out either I or my partner had to get up and move to do so, furthermore the tables were that close together my seat touch the rear of the gentleman's seat to the diagonal side of me. I found this particularly infuriating given that there were empty tables. We were forced to endure this state of dining for the four day duration of our stay.

There was a 'salad' bar, if you could call it that, it was basically shredded lettuce which was going brown on the edges, tomatoes, shredded carrot and either beetroot or sweetcorn on alternate days. It appear that the salad had been prepared for some time, possibly the evening before as it did not appear to be fresh.

That evening's meal was absolutely diabolical, it was served canteen style from a trolley (Dinner Ladies comes to mind) by a waitress who had a varigated approach to portion size (the men seemingly got larger portions that the women), the food was slopped on to the plates and handed to you. The aisle between the tables was narrow and the trolley just about got down without hitting those with their backs in the aisle. The meal when 'served' was reconstituted turkey slices with a little gravy and tablespoon full of peas and half a dozen cubes of sauted potatoes.

The following morning's breakfast was the standard continental breakfast but the bread had seen better days and was slightly stale, the rolls were okay.

The food and service in the dining hall did not improve. From what the guide had said I was expecting some good cuisine, unfortunately it never happened and although I enjoyed my holiday and the company of the other guests, it was a relief to leave the Minvera and the enforced cheek by jowl dining (the food at the motorway service stations was better).

I would most certainly not recommend this hotel to anyone.

We were really worried about staying at this hotel after reading trip advisor but our fears were needless. We were on 'Seven cities of Italy tour' we stayed for four nights.
We are arrived and first impression was that it was dated but comfortable.The check in was speedy ,the bedroom was large and airy (the blinds were left down when we arrived and made the room look gloomy but once opened it was bright) The view was of the side of another hotel but seeing that we were out each day touring we were not worried.
The bed was comfy lovely crisp cotton sheets. Plenty of cupboard space (actually the most we have ever had and full length ) three side lights. The bathroom was roomy with an effective shower plenty of towels and toiletries changed each day.
The dining room was a large room again a little dated but clean breakfast was continental with cold meats,cheese, cereals,and bread and biscuits.We ordered our evening meal at breakfast which were very nice. Personally I did not like the Tuscan meal but it was interesting to try the local food.The waiting on staff were very pleasant. There was a large lounge with an open fire in the evening.

Good value for money. Within easy walking reach of centre. Good food served by professional staff, but not much English spoken.Visited as part of "7 cities"tour . Hotel (and tour) much better than some previous reviews.

having just stayed for 4 nights with Newmarket Travel on a 7 city tour we were not impressed.The hotel has a dated feel and the room we were in No332 was tiny with nowhere to place suitcases or even move around.
.There was not even room for an easy chair to sit in.The worst thing by far was the tiny shower cubicle with a split concertina door.The hotel can be challanging if you are not fully active as it is half way up a steep hill,and even to get into the entrance several stairs have to be climbed(not easy with a full suitcase).On a more positive note the food was excellent,with the Tuscany themed night the best.Come on Newmarket Travel you can do BETTER !!!!!!