thinking of celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary (next year,June) in Lake Garda. Anyone recommend hotels in either Sirmione,Garda or Bardolino?

Well, this isn't in any of the towns you mentioned, but rather in the delightful smallish town of TORRI DEL BENACO, about midway down the east side of the lake. There are boats right by the hotel to the other spots you mention. The hotel was wonderful, despite our fears that it wouldn't be as good as it looks on the website since it seemed so underpriced compared to other places we looked at. We were wrong -- it was great. Their restaurant is wonderful too. Their top price room with a balcony to the lake in high season is 150 euro. It should be a LOT more.

http://www.hotel-gardesana.com/index_eng.htm

Happy anniversary- if you are the mood to splurge, the Hotel Villa Cortine Palace in Sirmione is FABULOUS and very special. We spent two nights there last week and loved every minute. Very secluded with exceptional service. Nice walk along the shore of Lake Garda into the town of Sirmione.

I have stayed at hotel Marconi in Sirmione 5 times now and love it. It is right on lakefront. It is in center of Sirmione 2 blocks to castle and boat dock. If you have a car it is free parking. HUGE breakfast and hotel is family run everyone is really nice. 95 euros for double with lake view and balcony and breakfast. I have taken several others to Marconi on trips and they feel the same. It is wonderful hotel .

We enjoyed the Grande Hotel Gardone in Gardone Riviera. Each room has a lake view and the hotel is near the boat dock so that it's easy to tour around Lake Garda.