Booking directly on Lake Garda: official website, Airbnb, and Booking.com compared

5 quarters

Airbnb Recognition · hospitality

Airbnb Superhost for 5 consecutive quarters: more than a year

Sources: Airbnb communications to the host DesenzanoLoft dated July 8, 2026 (four consecutive quarters) and October 8, 2026 (another consecutive quarter).

As of October 10, 2026: Superhost. Verified on the Airbnb listings of our properties: host “Desenzanoloft Vacation Rental”, Superhost, 7 years as a host.

Airbnb Requirement vs DesenzanoLoft

Stays

DesenzanoLoft

325

Airbnb Requirement: at least 10

Cancellations

DesenzanoLoft

0%

Airbnb Requirement: under 1%

Average rating

DesenzanoLoft

4.9

Airbnb Requirement: minimum 4.8

Response rate

DesenzanoLoft

99%

Airbnb Requirement: at least 90%

Figures and requirements from the Airbnb communication of October 8, 2026. Airbnb re-checks requirements every quarter: the Airbnb Superhost page. The recognition relates to hospitality: we set the prices in this comparison and recorded them ourselves.

Our flagship properties

The same quality, our flagship properties

Four of the properties we manage in Desenzano del Garda: two independent villas and two apartments in a historic building overlooking the lake.

Private pool

Villa Bugatti

Independent three-level villa with garden and private saltwater pool. 4 bedrooms, 233 m².

up to 8 guestsView property: Villa Bugatti

On the lake

Villa Meraviglia on the lake

Independent villa with garden and panoramic terrace overlooking the lake, renovated in 2023. 3 bedrooms, 140 m².

up to 6 guestsView property: Villa Meraviglia on the lake

Lake view

Palazzo Visconti

Two apartments, Gran Lugana and Luigi Visconti, in a historic building in the heart of Desenzano, overlooking the lake. 3 bedrooms, 86 m² each.

up to 7 guests per apartment

Gran Lugana is in the April and June tables, Luigi Visconti in the June table.

View property: Palazzo Visconti

Villa Bugatti and Villa Meraviglia have no price in this comparison. You can find the price for your dates on the property page.

You can book our properties in Desenzano del Garda on multiple channels: the official website www.desenzanoloft.com, Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo. The property is the same. The price and conditions change.

On October 10 and 11, 2026, we recorded the prices of 13 properties for two stays in 2027. On each channel, we used the same dates and the same number of guests. Here you will find all the figures and cancellation conditions, which are never identical. For example, for one property Airbnb offers a full refund for longer than we do.

April 2027: prices for 7 nights, dates indicated for each property

Test A: 7 nights in April 2027, price for the entire apartment recorded for 2 adults. The week is from Saturday 10 to Saturday 17 April for all properties except Gardastar. We compared Gardastar from Saturday 3 to Saturday 10 April because it was not available on 10-17 April. For each property, we recorded the prices on the official website, with free cancellation and non-refundable rates, and on Airbnb. On Booking.com, we recorded both the lowest rate and the one with the same free cancellation deadline as the website. We also included the Vrbo amount where available.

The official website was cheaper in all 9 properties we compared. With the website’s non-refundable rate, you save an average of 19.79% compared to Booking.com’s non-refundable rate, or €283.56 per stay. For the 8 properties in the Booking.com comparison, savings range from 19.25% (Green Family Apartment) to 20.14% (Charming on the Lake). These are the two closest rates, because you pay both at the time of booking and both are non-refundable. On the website, you choose the non-refundable rate when booking at least 38 days before arrival. If you cancel, 100% of the payment made is non-recoverable. On Booking.com, however, if you cancel you pay the penalty stated in the summary. For Cappuccino with private garage, that is €954.52, the total without cleaning and tourist tax.

With free cancellation, the website still cost less than Booking.com’s non-refundable rate, which was the cheapest portal. On average, it cost 10.56% less: €151.36 per stay, from €89.88 (A casa di Attila) to €219.52 (Palazzo Visconti, Gran Lugana). Against Booking.com with the same free cancellation deadline, the average rises to 16.08% (€245.67, 8 properties). However, you pay that rate later, and the penalty calculation differs. Garda Golden Sunrise is an exception: we compared it with Airbnb and Vrbo, outside the averages. On the website, it cost €240.23 less (15.06%) than Airbnb.

The website also cost less than Vrbo in all 5 properties with a Vrbo amount. On average, it was 15.88% less (€230.15, 4 properties).

June 2027: prices for 4 nights in the first available window

Test B: 4 nights, price for the entire apartment recorded for 2 adults. We set the date rule before reading the 4-night prices. For each property, we took the first 4-night window entirely within June 2027 available on the website’s calendar. Then we used the same dates on the other channels. So the dates change from property to property, and you will find them in the table.

The official website was cheaper for all 11 properties we compared. With the website’s non-refundable rate, you save an average of 19.26% compared to the non-refundable rate on Booking.com. That is €269.79 per stay across the 10 properties compared with Booking.com. The savings range from 18.60% (Green Family Apartment) to 19.94% (Palazzo Visconti, Luigi Visconti). With free cancellation, the website was also cheaper than the non-refundable rate on Booking.com, which was consistently the cheapest portal. On average, it cost 10.28% less, or €144.01 per stay. Here the savings range from €68.31 (Smile on the Lake) to €224.10 (Palazzo Visconti, Luigi Visconti). We compared Garda Golden Sunrise with Airbnb and Vrbo and excluded it from the averages. However, dates vary by property, so the average is a summary. Check the row of the property that interests you.

Even against Airbnb, the website was cheaper in 11 out of 11 properties: an average of 14.46% (€211.95, 10 properties). For Garda Golden Sunrise, it was €163.81 less (14.22%). Against Booking.com, the website was on average 13.83% cheaper than the cheapest rate with free cancellation, which expires earlier. It was also 15.68% cheaper than the rate with the same expiration as the website (€233.74, 10 properties). Against Vrbo, the website was also cheaper in 11 out of 11 properties: an average of 15.50% less (€230.59, 10 properties).

What’s in the prices we compare

The amounts in the tables are comparison figures. Each one is the total we recorded on that channel, including rent, final cleaning, and channel fees where applicable. From each amount, across all channels, we deducted the tourist tax: €28 for 7 nights and €16 for 4 nights. Both figures are for 2 adults. We leave out the security deposit because it is refundable.

The tourist tax in Desenzano is 2 euros per person per night according to the booking engines; children under 14 are exempt. We ran tests on Cappuccino and Gran Lugana across the website, Airbnb, and Booking.com. With more guests, up to maximum capacity, the accommodation cost remained the same: only the tax changed. On the website, you pay the tax upon arrival.

Conditions are not the same on every channel. This is the example for April:

In June, the pattern is the same, with different dates. With the website’s free cancellation rate, you can cancel at no cost up to 22 days before arrival (for 6 properties, until May 10). Airbnb refunds everything up to about 8 days before the website’s deadline, and then 50% per night. Booking.com with free cancellation charges nothing until two days before the deadline.

Conditions are not the same in any row. With the website’s free cancellation rate, you can cancel at no cost up to 22 days before arrival. After that, the penalty is 100% of what you paid. Airbnb refunds everything up to 30 days before arrival, which is 8 days before the website’s deadline. It then refunds 50% per night until 7 days before arrival. During those 8 days, the website is more flexible. After the website’s deadline, however, Airbnb is more flexible. It still refunds half the cost of each night, while the website penalty is already full. At H2O Green Residence, Airbnb refunds everything for longer than the website, both in April and June. Booking.com, with the same deadline as the website, lets you pay later, and its penalty does not include cleaning and tax.

The total never includes the security deposit. On the website, the property listing states the amount. You pay it in cash upon arrival. We then return it via bank transfer to your IBAN 3 days after departure, minus €0.60 in bank fees. On portals, however, the advertisement states the amount and the payment method.

Amounts are in euros. If you open a listing from abroad, the portal or website may show you your browser’s currency.

Why does the official website have the lowest prices in comparisons?

We decide the prices on all channels. On the official website, there is no portal commission, which is why we can charge less there.

Portals do their job. They help you find the property, manage the payment, and apply their rules and protections. These apply when you book on the portal. Our comparison only concerns the price and the written conditions.

What remains the same on every channel:

• the property, with the same CIN code;
• the welcome: we deliver the keys to you by hand;
• the Venice Bonus with us: for stays of at least 6 nights, the train to Venice for the whole group.

Who you are booking with: on the official website, the contract is with DESENZANOLOFT SRL. In the Booking.com ads we reviewed, the property appears as “managed by DESENZANOLOFT SRL”. In the Vrbo checkouts we reviewed, it says “Your contract is with DESENZANO LOFT SRL.” On Airbnb, the host appears as “Desenzanoloft Vacation Rental.”

What changes: the price, the time you pay, the cancellation rules, and the portal’s protections. These only apply when you book through the portal.

Venice Bonus: with us, from 6 nights

If you stay with us for at least 6 nights, we offer you a same-day return train ticket from Desenzano to Venice for the whole group. You travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, excluding holidays and days preceding holidays.

In the April test, the stay is 7 nights, which is above the threshold. In the June test, it is 4 nights, below the threshold.

We have not converted the bonus into euros or added it to any savings. The figures in the tables are prices only.

Is it safe to book on the official DesenzanoLoft website?

By booking on the official website, you enter into a contract directly with the property manager. These are our rules:

• Who we are: DESENZANOLOFT SRL, VAT 03614830986, REA BS-542915, registered office Viale Ettore Andreis 74, 25015 Desenzano del Garda, PEC Desenzanoloft@pec.it. We have been managing vacation homes in Desenzano del Garda since 2013. Each property has its CIN written in the listing.
• How to pay: at the time of booking, you pay the full rent, which includes accommodation and final cleaning. You pay the tourist tax upon arrival. Payment methods: credit card, Apple Pay, or PayPal, selectable on the website’s payment page.
• Cancellation: free until 22 days before arrival. After that, and in case of no-show, the penalty is 100% of what you paid. You will find the exact date in the listing and in the summary before paying. With the non-refundable rate, selected when booking at least 38 days before arrival, 100% of the payment made is non-recoverable.
• Security deposit: the property listing states the amount. You pay it in cash upon arrival. If there is no damage, we return it via bank transfer to your IBAN 3 days after departure, minus €0.60 in bank fees.
• Assistance during your stay: 24 hours a day, with the DesenzanoLoft virtual concierge.

The property listing and the summary before payment show the conditions for the rate you choose. For everything else, the General Conditions apply.

Who conducted this comparison

DesenzanoLoft (DESENZANOLOFT SRL) has been managing vacation apartments in Desenzano del Garda, on Lake Garda, since 2013. DesenzanoLoft sets the prices on all channels, sells the stays, and curated this comparison. This is not an independent study. It is the manager’s comparison of their own accommodations, with the methodology and limitations described below.

On Airbnb, the host DesenzanoLoft has been a Superhost for 5 consecutive quarters, which is more than a year. Airbnb confirmed four of them in its communication of July 8, 2026, and another in that of October 8, 2026. The Superhost badge appeared on the listings as of October 10, 2026 (details at the beginning).

DesenzanoLoft is an Official Partner of Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, exclusively in Desenzano del Garda, with properties verified according to Marriott International criteria.

To find out who we are: about us.

How we recorded the prices

• When: October 10 and 11, 2026, Italian time. April data on October 10 between 7:13 PM and 8:26 PM. June data between 10:51 PM on the 10th and 12:44 AM on October 11. On October 11, we rechecked some June properties, and the prices were the same. For Smile on the Lake, the Booking.com prices come from the summary we recorded on October 11. We recorded the website’s non-refundable rate on October 11 between 2:13 PM and 2:19 PM. The date and time for each property are under its name in the tables. Tomorrow’s price may be different.
• June, preliminary check: on the same day, between 6:03 PM and 7:08 PM, we searched across the four channels. We looked for the weeks from June 12 to 19 and June 19 to 26, 2027. Four of the five properties with the highest average catalog rate, excluding villas (Il Gigante del Lago, Oscar Luxury Suite, Gran Lugana, and Gardastar), had neither week available. Gran Lugana had only the week from June 1 to 8 available. Hence the choice of a short stay in test B.
• Guests: we recorded prices for 2 adults, even in larger properties. In tests on Cappuccino and Gran Lugana with maximum capacity, the website total increases exactly by the tax alone. On Airbnb and Booking.com, only the tax changes, and it is the same on every channel. The table shows the capacity of each property, from 3 to 9 guests, under its name. No minors, no extra services, amounts in euros.
• How: public prices, without login, without Genius, without member rates, and without discount codes on any channel. We did not enter personal data.
• The properties: 13. First, the 5 with the highest average rate in our catalog (internal data as of 06/27/2026, villas excluded). Then, 5 mid-to-low range properties chosen by the manager. We added Charming on the Lake and Villa Meraviglia on October 10. Finally, A casa di Attila started as a backup, and we kept it in the comparison. Only listings managed by DesenzanoLoft. The tables include every property that was available for those dates and had the prices shown in the final summary before payment.
• The dates: Test A, 7 nights from April 10 to 17, 2027. Gardastar was not available that week, so we used April 3 to 10, as noted in the row. Test B, 4 nights in June 2027: for each property, the first 4-night window entirely within June available on the website calendar. We set this date rule before checking the 4-night prices. We compare stays of 4 nights or more.
• The amounts: these are comparison amounts, including rent, final cleaning, and channel fees where applicable. From every amount, across all channels, we removed the tourist tax: €28 for 7 nights and €16 for 4 nights. Both figures are for 2 adults. We also leave out the security deposit.
• Website, non-refundable rate: selected by booking at least 38 days before arrival; if you cancel, 100% of the payment made is non-recoverable. The discount applies only to the accommodation: cleaning and tourist tax remain the same. In the property listing, this option comes pre-selected. The price we compare is the total the listing shows with that option, minus the tourist tax, as on the other channels.
• What we publish: only prices shown in the final summary before personal details, to the cent, for listings whose identity we have verified. The website’s non-refundable rate is the total from the property listing with that option. In the same reading, the total with free cancellation matched the one in the summary to the cent.
• The comparison: two pairs of rates. First, the website’s non-refundable rate against Booking.com’s non-refundable rate, the closest match. You pay both at the time of booking, and both are non-refundable. However, on Booking.com the penalty does not include cleaning and tax. Then, the website rate with free cancellation against Booking.com with the same free cancellation deadline, against Airbnb, and against Vrbo. In June, we also compared it with Booking.com’s cheapest rate with free cancellation. The deadline or price are similar, while other conditions (penalty, penalty base, payment timing) remain different. We also provide the difference with the cheapest portal, which for properties compared with Booking.com was always its non-refundable rate.
• The formula: difference = portal price minus website price; percentage = difference divided by the portal price. The average is the average of the percentages of the individual properties; we also provide the median value. Garda Golden Sunrise stays in the tables, compared with Airbnb and Vrbo, but we leave it out of the averages.
• Same property: CIN, name, and listing number on every channel. The two properties at Palazzo Visconti have the same CIN, so the listing number tells them apart.
• What we did not include: Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, because it has its own conditions and benefits; Expedia; listings from other managers.
• Archive and updates: we keep a transcript of every summary read. We update this comparison on the 15th of every month: the next update is November 15, 2026. Previous versions remain at the bottom of the page.

Check the price for your dates ›

Frequently asked questions

Is the official website always cheaper than the portals?

In our comparisons on October 10 and 11, 2026, yes, for all the properties we were able to compare. That is 9 out of 9 for 7 nights in April 2027 and 11 out of 11 for 4 nights in June 2027. This is not a guarantee for every date and duration, as prices change. For your specific dates, open the property listing and compare the total.

Are the prices for two people?

No: on the website, it is the price for the entire apartment, for the whole family, up to the maximum capacity of the property. Capacity goes from 3 guests (A casa di Attila) to 9 (Il Gigante del Lago), as the table shows under each property name. The comparison uses 2 adults and leaves out the tourist tax of 2 euros per person per night. We also ran tests at maximum capacity on Cappuccino with private garage (5 guests) and Palazzo Visconti · Gran Lugana (7 guests). There, the website total increased exactly by the tax amount only, while on Airbnb and Booking.com only the tax changed.

How much can you save by booking on the official website?

It depends on the property, dates, and rate. With the website’s non-refundable rate, you save an average of 19.79% compared to Booking.com’s non-refundable rate for 7 nights in April (€283.56 per stay) and 19.26% for 4 nights in June (€269.79). This rate is available when you book at least 38 days before arrival. With free cancellation, the website cost an average of 16.08% less than Booking.com with the same deadline in April and 15.68% in June. However, payment and penalty terms differ. Compared to Booking.com’s non-refundable rate, the cheapest portal option, it still cost an average of over 10% less.

Why did you compare 4 nights in June instead of a week?

Because on October 10, 2026, four of the five properties with the highest average rate in our catalog (villas excluded) no longer had a full week available in mid-June 2027. We searched for June 12-19 and 19-26 across the four channels. For each property, we took the first 4-night window entirely within June available on the website calendar. Then we used the same dates on the other channels. You will find the dates in the table.

Do the compared prices include cleaning and tourist tax?

The prices include cleaning, along with the rent and channel fees where applicable. They do not include the tourist tax, which is 2 euros per person per night and increases with more guests. From every amount, across all channels, we removed the tourist tax: €28 for 7 nights and €16 for 4 nights. Both figures are for 2 adults. We also leave out the security deposit.

Did you compare rates with the same conditions?

No: the conditions are not identical in any row. The closest are the two non-refundable rates from the website and Booking.com. You pay both at the time of booking, and both are non-refundable. On the website, if you cancel, 100% of the payment made is non-recoverable. On Booking.com, instead, the penalty does not include cleaning and tax. Alongside, we show the website rate with free cancellation and Booking.com with the same deadline. You pay that rate later, though, and the penalty calculation differs. Airbnb stops refunding everything 8 days before the website’s deadline. After that deadline, however, it still refunds 50% per night, whereas on the website the penalty is already 100%. At H2O Green Residence, Airbnb refunds everything for longer than the website. Conditions by channel are in the table next to the prices.

What if I have Genius or a member rate?

The comparison uses public prices, without login, without Genius, without member rates, and without discount codes. However, with a loyalty program, a portal’s price may decrease. In that case, compare your total with the one on the official website listing, using the same dates, guests, and cancellation conditions.

How do I know it is the same apartment?

Every property has a national identification code (CIN) and a listing number on each portal: we compared them row by row, along with the name, square footage, and description. The two properties at Palazzo Visconti have the same CIN, so the listing number is what matters. You can find the CIN in the property listing on the website and in the advertisements.

Is DesenzanoLoft a Superhost on Airbnb?

Yes, for 5 consecutive quarters, which is more than a year. Airbnb notified the host DesenzanoLoft on July 8, 2026 (four consecutive quarters) and October 8, 2026 (another consecutive quarter), with 325 stays, 0% cancellations, a 4.9 average rating, and a 99% response rate. On October 10, 2026, the Superhost badge appeared on the Airbnb listings for our properties. This recognition relates to hospitality; always check the prices for your specific dates.

What is the Venice bonus and when is it valid?

If you stay with us for at least 6 nights, we offer a round-trip same-day train ticket to Venice for the entire group. You can travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, excluding holidays and eves of holidays. We do not add it to the savings in the tables, which compare prices only.

I have already booked on a portal: should I cancel?

No. Your booking remains valid under the conditions of the portal where you made it, and the property is the same. Canceling to rebook could cost you a penalty or cause you to lose your dates. This comparison is for those who have yet to choose where to book.

How do I check the prices for my dates?

Open the property listing on the official website and enter your dates and guests. Then choose between the non-refundable rate and the free cancellation rate. Finally, check the total in the summary before entering personal details. Do the same on the portal. Compare the two totals with the same dates, the same number of guests, the tourist tax treated the same way; then compare the cancellation conditions too.

Author of this article

Carlo Claverini, founder of DesenzanoLoft (DESENZANOLOFT SRL, active on Lake Garda since 2013) and president of OTP (Professional Tourist Operators). DesenzanoLoft is an Official Partner of Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy. The DesenzanoLoft host on Airbnb has been a Superhost for 5 consecutive quarters—more than a year—as per Airbnb communications on July 8 and October 8, 2026.

He oversaw this comparison. DesenzanoLoft sets the prices on all channels. About us. Prices read on October 10 and 11, 2026. We update this comparison on the 15th of every month: the next update is November 15, 2026.