I've stayed in Lugano several times and have come to know the city fairly well, am returning soon, but wish to explore accommodations someplace nearby. I have a 5-day trip coming up at the end of April/first week of May and hope to scout out different, but nearby place(s) for my base of operations.

I've had an odd bit of luck occur over the past year or so....I've made musical friends in the Lugano area and will be playing with them at a series of outdoor concerts over the course of 4 nights. I'll be arriving at Milan Malpensa and plan to rent a car....and, if I don't stay in Lugano, I should find someplace reasonably close which would permit me to drive to Lugano and deal with parking near the Piazza della Riforma and drive back home in the evening. It's likely that my friends will offer to drive me to and from the gigs...but I'd like to manage by myself, if possible.

So....how about Morcote? I've been there, but not to stay. Any other villages on Lago di Lugano to consider? Or...someplace on Lake Como or Lake Maggiore? I'm a little sqeamish about driving on twisty lakeside roads in the dark after our gigs...but would manage it if it weren't too far or confusing to find. Any positive experiences with hotels which are near to Lugano would be appreciated. My pals tend to live to the west of Lugano--Luino, Ponte Tresa--so something towards Lago di Maggiore might be best.

Of course, I'm asking my friends for advice...but, as locals, they're not so familiar with the hotels and tend to simply encourage me to stay with them--I appreciate their offer, but look forward to the quiet of a hotel room at the end of the day.

Thanks much, Fodorites, for your help.

John
Libertyville, IL

We stayed at the Residence Hotel Parc Lago in Caslano, which is within walking distance of Ponte Tresa. We really liked it, although it's a bit old fashioned and it's more a holiday residence than regular hotel (it does have full hotel services). The rooms are large, have little kitchenettes, and nice big balconies over looking the lake. And it's spotlessly clean, of course. Not expensive. I don't know if it will be open on your dates, but the hotel's details are:
Hotel Parco Lago, B. + F. Guidotti
Via San Michele 50
6987 Caslano
Telefono +4191/ 606 56 26
Fax +4191/ 606 65 55

This web site shows some pictures of the hotel/residence: http://www.igluvillas.com/property.cfm?propertyid=47210

Morcote is definitely more charming than Caslano--Caslano is more of a residential town and less tourist oriented. (We stayed there because my husband's aunt and uncle were living in Caslano at the time.) But it's still attractive in a more laid-back way.

I am crazy about a little two-star albergo on Lago Maggiore -- the Hotel Panorama in Gerra-Gambarogno. It's just up the road from Luino and very quiet.

However, it seems like the place in Caslano will be more on the way, if your friends are going to drop you off on their way home. Chicagobluesman, you are so lucky! J.

What a cool deal---can I go along?
Two ideas ! Car rental prices are much less in CH, especially renting from the airport. I would get it in Lugano. And, I have to mention my favorite hotel on Lago Lugano, even though it is east of town. Search and find the Stella d'Italia in San Mamete, on the north shore of the lake and the local ferry boat stops at their dock. I love the setting, and the food is tops.

One thing I forgot to add, there is a tram that runs between Ponte Tresa and Lugano. I don't know its exact schedule or all the stops, but the Ponte Tresa tram stop is also within walking distance of the Caslano hotel (if you're a good walker, it's maybe 15 minutes walk, there could be another tram stop closer to the hotel). For info on the tram, go to:
http://www.lugano.ch/en/trasporti/we...catID=05003002

I wouldn't ordinarily recommend this Caslano hotel to visitors to Lugano, but with the situation you describe, it might work. There are a few other hotels in Caslano right down the street from the Parco Lago, all overlooking the lake. They seemed similar in terms of amenities, ambience and price.

Thanks everyone for your replies! The Stella d'Italia in San Mamete looks great---I found it with a little searching. It looks like what I was hoping for--close to Lugano but with its own character and charm.

Someone wrote about the Ponte Tresa-Lugano train--yes, I've been on that before. One of my friends lives in Ponte Tresa--on the Italian side of the Tresa River, right on the lake--geez, what views he has from his front balcony!

Thanks again, everyone. Hey--I'd be happy to wave at you on 4/28, 4/29 & 4/30--our gigs are in the Piazza della Riforma, from 5:30-7:00pm (Lugano time) and there's a webcam there, found at http://www.lugano.ch/tools/webcam.cf...p;miniToolID=2. I'm planning on waving hi to my friends and family back home prior to the gigs--if you see me holding up a big sign that says "SEND MONEY PLEASE", you can make a donation at the above hotel. More likely my sign will read, "I LIKE IT HERE--NOT COMING HOME".

Thanks again,

John