16 Best Hotels in Ticino, Switzerland

The Great Gatsby would feel in his element in this Relais & Châteaux property that's as glamorous as a Mediterranean villa but still fabulously modern. The luxury borders on decadence: the sheets are pure linen, ground-floor rooms have private gardens, and there's a landscaped pool area. Boasting two Michelin stars, Restaurant Ecco surprises with so-called "molecular" cuisine, which attempts to find new ways of cooking based on scientific experimentation. The results are delicious.

This local landmark opened its doors in 1888, and much of the Victorian luster of its common areas—colorful frescoes, crystal chandeliers, ornate antiques—has been respectfully preserved. If you'd like a sleeker room, opt for the newer wing, where discreetly modern rooms are decorated in beige and gold. The balconies and terraces open onto lake or garden views. For the panoramic view of Lake Lugano, head to the Michelin-starred restaurant I Due Sud. Some of the famous clientele, including Sophia Loren, Lauren Bacall, Stevie Wonder, Patti Smith, and Tina Turner, have signed the lobby's livre d'or (guest book).

This gorgeously equipped B&B—perhaps the nicest in all of Ticino—has five chic rooms with burnished hardwood floors and tasteful contemporary furnishings and a great restaurant (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). Many people make their way to Ponte Brolla just for the restaurant, which serves inventive, carefully prepared Italian cuisine in the stylish café, formal dining room, or, weather permitting, soak up the sunshine on the large outdoor terrace. 

Dating from 1250, this hotel oozes romance, and that doesn't even take into account its garden setting and enviable address across from the waterfront. The interior is rich with frescoes, wood beams, and heavy masonry, lightened with a contemporary touch, and each room is different: a wrought-iron bed in the back tower, a blue wooden canopy bed in Room 205, and a lavish front tower room with a loft. A private courtyard is perfect for summertime dining, or you can just take a dip in the isolated pool.

Mixing the contemporary with the historic, the century-old hotel is furnished with black-and-white modern pieces set against a gray palette, which contrasts with original stained-glass windows and a wrought-iron staircase. There are wonderful views of the castles from the upper-floor suites, and a copious breakfast is served in the mornings. The owners of this boutique lodging have installed eco-friendly air-conditioning, which pumps up cool water from underground. A spa area features jet showers, a Turkish bath, and a Finnish sauna. Downstairs in the common room are cold drinks and snacks.

Perched near Lago Maggiore, this Old Town restaurant-with-rooms has pleasant, fairly good-value accommodations tucked under the rafters, with classic tile floors in cream and red adding to the simple, rustic charm. Even better, the popular trattoria downstairs offers inexpensive regional food—pizzas, pastas, and simply prepared fish—and fancier fish dishes are available in the more formal restaurant upstairs.

A terrific location, at the east end of the Piazza Grande, makes this friendly hotel a particularly good base for exploring Locarno, and, thanks to the pedestrian-only street and the nearby public gardens, it's relatively quiet. Many of the modern yet cozy rooms have balconies, there's a lovely terrace for breakfast, and public parking is close by.

Right in the middle of town and steps from the lake, this renovated older hotel offers excellent value, with rooms that are simple, clean, and functional. The restaurant offers a new menu each day with mostly Ticinese dishes, including several vegetarian selections. No alcohol is served, so to sample local wines you have to find another place.

Ideally located on Lugano's main shopping street, this family-run hotel has a reception area that doubles as a coffee shop that serves up some of the best espresso drinks in town. It's near the funicular and a block from the waterfront, but manages to remain peaceful after sundown.

The shuttered windows of this 18th-century patrician house overlook the waterfront, and inside you can lounge in sitting rooms richly furnished with precious antiques, handsome books, and even a grand piano. The rooms range from lavish corner doubles with lake views to tiny quarters overlooking the courtyard that are an excellent value.

Next to the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, this historic hotel's 1908 interiors are exuberantly decorated, with gilded paintings, ornate antiques, and heavy, sumptuous furniture. Family-run for more than 100 years, it's the only hotel in the Old Town with a large garden and pool area. Light sleepers should request a room away from the street.

Owners Marco and Gesa Brack run a very fine bed-and-breakfast in this converted farmhouse perched on the hillside of Gudo, between Bellinzona and Locarno. Furnishings are simple and tasteful, and each room has either a balcony with a spectacular view of the Ticino valley or a peaceful terrace. The shady terrace, discriminating wine list, and excellent homemade dishes using mostly organic ingredients are what attract visitors and locals alike to the adjoining osteria.

Friendly and well decorated, this lodging is rated by many travelers as the best deal in town, and the location, in the Old Town just steps from the funicular, could not be more convenient. The staff goes out of its way to make your stay memorable, and what the hotel lacks in luxury it makes up for with excellent service. The breakfasts here put those served at other hotels to shame—from crisp green salads to homemade cakes, the delicious buffet suits every taste (and waistline).

An impeccably restored, centuries-old, patrician home is the setting for this luxurious hideaway tucked in a village just above Morcote. Be it an oversized birdcage chandelier or duck-egg blue chaise longue, the refined natural decor practically oozes understated glamour. Authentic local cuisine is offered in the Relais at La Sorgente or in the vineyard at Vicania. Guests are encouraged to discover the 172-hectare (428-acre) vineyard next door and sample vintages from the Castello di Morcote estate, or relax in the Mediterranean garden under the wafting odors of lavender and thyme. 

Spectacularly perched on a hillside overlooking Lake Lugano, this mansion offers an unparalleled location and old-world service. Although the villa was built in 1868 for Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern, most of the rooms are either staidly modern or snoozily traditional, but this may not be an issue once you take a glance at the stunningly arranged pool-and-terrace complex encircled by a double staircase—a slightly baroque touch. Chef Christian Moreschi is renowned for his simple, graceful cuisine, making dining here a notable experience.

Set on a hill overlooking Lugano, Villa Sassa's lake and mountain views are so pretty, you might find it hard to leave the hotel to make the trek into town. The state-of-the-art wellness center is a popular workout hub for local and visiting athletes. Rooms are bright and clean, and each unit has a balcony. The hotel is a 10-minute walk downhill to town, or you can skip the hill and take the funicular for CHF1.30.