Ah, Lugano. Just uttering its name puts a smile on my face. As I geared up for my trip to Switzerland, for some reason I was looking forward to seeing Lugano. I had a feeling it would be beautiful after doing some initial research online.
Switzerland has so many picturesque places so it’s understandable that Lugano is often overlooked by first time visitors. Of all the places I visited in Switzerland, Lugano was one of my favorites. Hailing from the enchanting Ticino region in the south, a stone’s throw away from Italy, Lugano is a must-add to your Swiss expedition.
If you’re looking for places to stay in Lugano, you’ve probably already made up your mind in visiting this beautiful town. I’m so excited for you! Let’s dive right in and discover the best places to stay in Lugano.
Neighborhood
As far as the best area or neighborhood to stay in Lugano, I suggest staying around the lake or in Lugano City Centre (also known as Old Town Lugano) if it’s your first time visiting Lugano. The lake spans a considerable portion of the city, so ensuring proximity to Old Town keeps you at the epicenter of action. However, if you find a great hotel that’s further away, that is also completely fine. Lugano boasts excellent transportation, so you’ll have no issues getting around town. It’s also beautiful to just walk around if you’re up for that as well.
Recommended Hotels
Lugano has a wide range of different hotels around town, from luxury to budget. However, if you can swing spending a bit more to have an amazing lake view, I would highly recommend it. I personally don’t always stay in high end luxury hotels but every now and then I will splurge for a beautiful hotel room, especially one with a view. The panoramic views of Lake Lugano and its picturesque backdrop are definitely worth it.
Here are my recommendations for the top hotels in Lugano to stay in during your visit!
The View Lugano – 5 Star Hotel
If you’re looking for a luxurious 5 star hotel with amazing views of Lake Lugano, look no further than The View Lugano. In addition to its modern suites, this boutique hotel also offers a spa with a salt room, pool, thermal areas, Turkish bath, as well as spa treatments. Nestled in Lugano Paradiso, a 30 minute walk from Old Town, the View also offers complimentary use of an electric smart car or electric bicycles.
Hotel Lido Seegarten – 4 Star Hotel
This 4 star hotel is situated directly on the lake. You can’t get closer to the lake than this! Choose between lake view rooms or mountain views. It’s also conveniently located 10 minutes walking from Lugano City Centre. Hotel Lido Seegarten also offers a pool with direct access to the lake. If you’re looking for a room with a view, definitely check out Hotel Lido Seegarten.
Hotel Federale – 3 Star Hotel
This 3 star, family owned hotel is located a short 10 minute walk from Lugano City Centre and 2 minute walk from Lugano train station. While it’s not directly on the lake, the hotel is situated on a hill overlooking Lake Lugano and the mountains. It’s a classic old style Swiss hotel and depending on the room you choose, you might be able to get a room with a view for a better price than the hotels that are situated directly on the lake.
We stayed in the Superior Panorama Twin Room with a Lake View and the room and view was amazing. Honestly the pictures above don’t do it justice. After speaking with the hotel staff, it seems as though they recently renovated some rooms and the Superior Panorama room was one of them. If you’re looking for a room with a view for a better price, check out Hotel Federale.
Mindful of budgets? Here are my recommendations that won’t break the bank.
Make sure to book hotel accommodations for Lugano ahead of time as I find the hotels can book up fairly quickly. I hope you enjoy Lugano as much as I did!