Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola

Rooms

There are 74 rooms and suites at Villa Castagnola, ranging from nicely sized double rooms to the lavish, two-bedroom, two-bathroom Suite San Salvatore. All rooms have a balcony and ground-floor rooms have a private patio. Air conditioning, minibars, Wi-Fi and en suite bathrooms are all standard.

The rooms have all been individually decorated with classic furniture and different themes. From patterned chairs and striped wallpaper to ornate table lamps that look as though they’ve been carved from stone, each room has its own special feel.

Location

Villa Castagnola is located in a quiet part of Lugano, a 15-minute walk from the town’s highlights. However, it’s on the main public bus route, which stops outside the hotel. Buses are free to use. The hotel itself is set back from the main road and surrounded by peaceful gardens. All the rooms face the southwest and get the last of the day’s sun.

Food and drink

• Le Relais is the hotel’s more formal restaurant, serving a seasonal menu of Mediterranean dishes.
• Slightly less formal, La Rucola features a menu with classic dishes such as club sandwiches, alongside local specialties.
• Across the street, the hotel’s Gallery Arté al Lago is a Michelin-star restaurant within an art gallery on Lake Lugano.
• The Cocktail Bar serves light snacks and an array of cocktails. During the warmer months you can enjoy live piano music every evening.
• Salone del Camino features 17th-century tapestries and a roaring fireplace for a more classic Alpine atmosphere, and is an excellent place to enjoy afternoon tea.
• The Banano Bar is out in the garden, shaded by banana palms and surrounded by greenery, and is only open during the warmer months.

Families

• Top-level suites each have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and are a good option for families.
• Most other suites have one bedroom, a sofa bed in the living room and two bathrooms.
• Rooms can be connected upon request.

Facilities and activities

• Heated indoor pool.
• Hydrotherapy pool.
• Two saunas and a steam room.
• Fitness room.
• Hair salon and makeup counter.
• Clay tennis court.
• Private lake access with lounge chairs and yoga classes on offer.

Accessibility

We don’t suggest this hotel for those with mobility issues — there are many steps throughout and the elevators are small.