GOOD POINTS -
Excellent staff: attentive, accomodating, friendly and yet did not give the feeling at all of being 'in your face'. They really do their jobs very well.
Beautiful interior which is clearly taken care of extremely well.
Beautiful location with delightful view overlooking the lake.
BAD POINTS -
Small rooms (ours was a 'double superior'), bathroom was the worst point, smaller than a travel-lodge and in serious need of renovation (step back to the 70s). The size issue is forgivable in a building of this character, however the renovation issue is not forgivable in a hotel at this star-rating / cost.
Poor food for this type of hotel (we stayed half-board and regretted it). Food was not bad, but only average. Alot of effort made on the ingredients and presentation, but on the whole tasteless and uninspired. A couple of dishes approached 'good' and we enjoyed, but on the whole way below standard compared to other fine hotels in switzerland. Regarding breakfast choice is limited, and we never managed to find a bread roll or croissant that was fresh, this was a particularly poor point.
OVERALL -
If you want to stay in a great location in a beautiful building, wonderful view, and don't mind a small room and down-market bathroom, and don't want to eat at the hotel (lots of great restaurants in Lugano), then this will be ok for you.
- Grand Hotel Castagnola
- Grand Hotel Lugano
