After we spend a few days in Bellagio, we would like to spend a couple in Switzerland. I have had both Lugano and Locamo suggested. Would like feedback on both (or either) and hotel recommendations for both. Thanks in advance!
Peggy (aka Bob's Princess)

Haven't been to Locarno, so I can only comment on Lugano.

Lugano is a shopper's paradise. If you like to shop and have lots of money, you'll be very happy wandering the streets and shops. The setting on the lake is beautiful, but to me the city lacks charm. We very much enjoyed nearby Gandria and Morcote, perhaps because they are much smaller villages.

We stayed at the Hotel Dante which is a few blocks from the water at the bottom of the funicular that connects the town with the train station. The hotel felt like a Hilton, probably because of its conference center and emphasis on business travelers. Our room was on the small side but very comfortable. The breakfast buffet (included in the rate) was amazing in variety and quality. The hotel staff were very helpful and friendly. Although we were very satisfied with the Dante, if your budget allows, you might consider one of the "grander" hotels with a lake view.

We enjoyed the Hotel Paradiso in the Paradiso section of Lugano. A lot to do there! Shopping, eating, playing outdoor chess with life-size pieces, too.
Beautiful view of the lake from our comfortable room.

Lugano-Hotel Splendide Royal.

I strongly second mgmargate on the Splendide in Lugano. It doesn't get any better.

We had a choice of Lugano/Locarno, too, and chose the smaller, easy-to-navigate and slower paced Locarno. For a lovely, low cost place (155chf/nt double with bfast), the Rondinella Garni is nice--less than two blocks from the train station, with wonderful owner and great views of Lago Maggiore. Slightly more expensive (180-210 chf/nt), but equally convenient and having rooms with lake view, is the Hotel Du Lac.

The main square, or Piazza Grande as it is called, has outdoor clothing, jewelry. food vendors, a Manor and a Globus dept store and many small shops. For restaurants, we enjoyed the Al Pozz, just 1 block from the Rondinella (outdoor seating, lake view) and Cafe del populo, in the old town above Piazza Grande. Frequent busses to Anscona make for a nice trip to this quaint former fishing village. Another fun trip is the Centovalli train to Domodossola--incredible views, especially from the left side of the train.

I've only been to Lugano and I can't wait to go back! It is indeed a wonderful place. Will have to now try Gandria & Morcote! Enjoy the good life! I will say however, if you want to experience Switzerland this isn't the place! Everyone spoke Italian the whole time and we had the BEST pasta there as well!

One of my favorite spots in the world is Albergo Navegna in Minusio, a suberb of Locarno. It's right on the lake and has an excellent restaurant. From there you can go to Bellinzona to see the 3 castles and walk the connecting walls, or take the train into the Centovalli, or a boat ride on Lago Maggiore to Stresa and back.

www.navegna.ch

I think the answer is 'both.' I try to imagine a trip to either w/o a day spent visiting the other, and the trip is incomplete. My vote is a stay in Locarno (or, better yet, at Grasshopper's Albergo Navegna IF you can hop a train right there to visit Bellinzona and Lugano (do try really hard to make it to Gandria and Morcote). J.

We prefer Lugano to Locarno, but that's just a personal preference. Locarno is nice, too. Of the two most frequently listed Lugano lake villages (Gandria and Morcote), we liked Morcote better. We also liked Caslano, but we saw that from a different perspective (we had family living there).

Good evening, Peggy also have not been to Locarno, however have been into Lugano twice and both times stayed at the Lugano Dante (www.hotel-luganodante.ch) tho not on the lake it is within the old city and an excellant ristorante, ZAYANORA, just acrtoss the Pza. Cioccaro. Would retuirn anytime. Richard of LaGrange Park, IL.