The View Lugano

The views from the room are amazing, and the breakfast was delicious and well worth getting. It’s a beautiful hotel, and I think I’d stay again. The location is a little out of the way, about 10 minutes uphill from the train station. Edoardio and Adriano deserve all the credit for this review. If it were only about them, this would easily be a five-star stay and one of my best hotel experiences. Edoardio greeted us at check-in, took time to explain everything, brought a fan for the room without us really needing to ask, and helped with the electric car. He was warm, attentive, and went out of his way to make sure everything was perfect. Adriano looked after us each morning at breakfast with such thoughtful attention and kindness, and made us feel cared for without it seeming forced. It was some of the best breakfast service I’ve experienced, and made us look forward to each day. I wish more people could experience his out-of-this-world service. The reason I didn’t give five stars was what happened on our second day. Construction near the train station closed the usual route, turning what should have been a 10-minute walk into more than 50 minutes. We called the front desk to ask whether one of the Smart cars could pick us up. Even after we explained that construction workers wouldn’t let us walk on the path, they told us to walk. We had to call a taxi instead. Such an easy thing turned sour, and I expected more when paying over $800 a night. Aside from that, the stay was excellent. Without that incident, this would easily have been a five-star review. I can’t praise Adriano and Edoardio enough. They deserve to be rewarded for the service that inspired me to write this and brag about them.

The private spa treatment was a real highlight, and housekeeping did an exceptional job throughout our stay. Our premium room had a spectacular view, too. The restaurant food and service were excellent, with a tall, thin blonde lady whose name I’m sorry I forgot showing the same attentiveness and professionalism as Giacomo. As a Hilton Diamond member visiting in the low season, I was warmly welcomed by Giacomo, a terrific hotel ambassador. Most of the other staff were pleasant, though their service didn’t quite reach his level or what I usually expect from a hotel of this caliber. The courtesy cars and bicycles were very convenient, but I imagine they may be harder to get in high season. I’d recommend the property, though it feels a little past its prime. A light refresh could bring the guest experience back up to a true SLH (Small Luxury Hotels) standard. Just not at $3,000 USD a night.

The hotel itself was lovely, and I really liked the staff, restaurant, and spa. The Smart cars they provide were handy for getting around, too. Parking was the big headache: we got stuck in a garage, and it’s far from the town center. The roads were hard to navigate, and we kept getting confused by the bus lanes. I was really excited about the town, but the restaurants there weren’t great. Check Google reviews or ask the concierge for suggestions. They recommended a Japanese restaurant that was really good, while the place we picked ourselves was terrible.

The room was just as described in the booking details, cozy and with great lake views. We spent Easter at The View, a modern hotel with great facilities. Reception and breakfast staff were supportive and great, and after an alarm incident late at night, they gave us a free aperetif, which was a very nice gesture. The free Smart electric car rentals were also great for getting around Paradiso and neighbouring cities. A couple of things could be better. The "breakfast included" option feels deceptive because breakfast is small, and anything beyond fried or scrambled eggs from the à la carte menu, such as eggs benedict, costs an extra 25-30€ per dish. That’s surprising at a 5* hotel, and the breakfast terms should have been clearer. Massage appointments fill up fast. We could only book on our last night, and even though we both asked for massages, they took just one booking and didn’t offer a solution. It was a good stay overall, but these things need attention.