International au Lac Historic Lakeside Hotel

We loved the hotel's location and the terrific staff. My wife and I stayed for two nights in mid-October, and the luxurious room was great too. Breakfast was decent, though nothing special. The honor bar was a nice touch for picking up coffee or a bottle of wine, and I enjoyed the roughly 100 stairs just outside for a bit of exercise.

The air conditioning wasn’t available at night when the temperature was below 23°C, and with the windows shut the room got hot and stuffy. Opening them brought in too much street noise and city light, so sleeping well was hard. That really affected our stay, despite how beautiful the hotel is. The design was elegant, the bed exceptionally comfortable, and the linens were high quality. The staff were attentive and friendly and made us feel welcome. More flexible AC settings would have made the experience perfect.

I loved this place to bits and hope it stays family-run for years. There’s even a first-floor room devoted to the hotel’s history, with photo books showing renovations over the years and different generations of the family. The building has that old-school character, while still feeling modern. Rooms were renovated within the past year and have AC and great waterfall shower heads. My husband called it a five-star shower. The pool was relaxing, and the included breakfast was a treat, with some gluten-free options, china, and coffee service. The breakfast room and lounge have lovely traditional decor. Quite possibly my favorite hotel I’ve stayed at. I’m going to tell everyone I know to come to Lugano and stay here!

We liked the location, on a pleasant street toward the old town and close to the beach promenade. Parking in the private garage was great, especially with its own entrance into the lobby. Breakfast was continental, with a good selection and several rooms where you could eat. The staff were formal and professional, and the spacious common areas were beautiful in a traditional style. There’s a fantastic backyard with a pool and very good sun. Our room also had traditional charm and was clean and nice, though it could probably use a little updating for what you need in 2025. The large bathroom felt more modern than the rest of the room. We’ll be back!