Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola Lugano

Set on the shores of Lake Lugano, Villa Castahnola is a property of immense charm, nestled within a private, subtropical park. Once the home of a noble Russian family, the impressive mansion was transformed into a hotel in 1885.

The Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola is admired for its tranquil atmosphere, elegance and discreet and friendly service. An enchanting oasis, away from the stresses of modern life and an ideal environment for pleasure, at any time of year.

In 2022 the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola will celebrate two important anniversaries: forty years of the Garzoni family’s ownership and twenty years of the Galleria Arté al Lago Restaurant.

A double occasion to recall important moments of change in a field, that of tourism, which has rapidly evolved in recent decades. Villa Castagnola has modernised its facilities and spaces, while preserving its identity and charm.

The history of Villa Castagnola is also and above all the history of two families who, with foresight and entrepreneurial spirit, have strongly believed in hospitality and a welcome, committing themselves to passing on the values and the soul of a structure that over time has preserved all its charm.

Two families passed the baton to each other when, at the beginning of 1982, the Schnyder von Wartensee family handed over the property to the Garzoni family after 97 years of management.

A handshake sanctioned a verbal agreement between the two parties, with the commitment to keep the hotel business and all the staff. A promise honoured by the Garzoni family who, in addition to employing their staff, have done their utmost to continue to guarantee the future of the hotel.

The Galleria Arté al Lago Restaurant is the pride and joy of the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola, an exclusive setting where culinary excellence meets art in a perfect marriage of flavours and emotions. Conceived as a restaurant and an art space at the same time, when it opened in December 2001, it was a first for Ticino.

Located on the ground floor of the Art Residence al Lago, formerly the Hotel du Midi, it was officially opened on 1 February 2002 with the appointment of chef de cuisine Frank Oerthle.

The first awards didn’t take long to arrive with GaultMillau points: 14 in 2003, 15 in 2004 and the 16th point in 2007, accompanied by the award as Emerging Chef of the Year. Three years later, in 2010, the triumph with the Michelin star, the only one awarded in Ticino for a decade, until 2021.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Each of the 72 rooms, including 30 Suites and Junior Suites & 3 Two Bedroom Suites, have been individually styled and offer every modern comfort. Rooms, Junior Suites and Suites have stunning park and/or lake views, balcony, terrace or porch.

SUITE SAN SALVATORE
Located on the top floor, the two bedroom suite San Salvatore offers from its balconies a breathtaking view of the magnificent park and Lake Lugano. South-facing Suite allows most winter sunlight and direct sun during the summer.

The 100 sqm suite with its beautiful, comfortably furnished living room is ideal for hosting friends or business relationships. The separate bedrooms have twin beds, a bathroom , one with bath tub and one with shower and bath tub. The very bright living room has 2 sofa beds.

SUITE CERESIO
Located on the 1st floor, the 2 bedrooms Suite Ceresio has two comfortable bedrooms. One room has a King Size double bed and the other has one double bed (2x80cm). A confortable Sofa Bed is available for a third person.

A living room, 3 bathrooms (one with bathtub and 2 with shower), and a spacious patio equipped with sun chairs. South-facing Suite allows most winter sunlight and direct sun during the summer with a marvellous park and lake view. 85 sqm

JUNIOR SUITE EXECUTIVE
On around 55 sqm you will find everything you need to feel good. Spacious, elegant and traditional interior. The Executive junior suites have twin mattresses with two bathrooms (1x bath and 1x shower). The comfortable sofa bed in the living area can accommodate a third person.

Private balcony with a view of the enchanting park and Lake Lugano. South-facing Junior Suite allows most winter sunlight and direct sun during the summer with a marvellous park and lake view. Each room offers flat screen HD TV, minibar and free WiFi.

DOUBLE ROOM STANDARD
Our standard double rooms with a minimum size of 23 square meters and 2 comfortable single beds are ideal for 2 people. The beds can be placed together or separately. The rooms have high-quality furnishings and a bathroom with shower or bathtub.

Numerous amenities such as self-regulating air conditioning and light-flooded rooms ensure a high feel-good factor. A desk and high-speed WiFi make the rooms suitable for business.

DINING
Visiting one of our restaurants, La Rucola, Le Relais or Gallery Arté al Lago, means basking in the delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes prepared by our Chefs, made with only the freshest seasonal ingredients. A unique culinary experience, guaranteed.

RESTAURANT LA RUCOLA
At the Restaurant “La Rucola”, with the motto “Fresh & Easy”, we offer a selection of International dishes. Summer Garden.

RESTAURANT LE RELAIS
The Restaurant “Le Relais” offers a refined cuisine by chef Alessandro Boleso. Its Mediterranean food offers intense flavours with fresh, local and seasonal products of the highest quality. “Grandes Pièces” are served at table.

RESTAURANT ARTE’ AL LAGO
The award-winning Galleria Arté al Lago Restaurant is the jewel in the crown of the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola. This unique restaurant in Ticino is housed in an art gallery overlooking the waters of Lake Ceresio and offers a breath taking view.

The restaurant has 16 GaultMillau points and was awarded a Michelin Star in 2011. The sumptuous spaces are decorated with works of art by internationally renowned artists with thematic exhibitions that are renewed twice a year, creating an exclusive ambience.

Chef Frank Oerthle, named 2009 Emerging Chef for Ticino and in charge since the opening in 2001, translates his culinary passion into an innovative and tempting selection of dishes, creating above all menus based on sea and lake fish.

A chef who loves contact with the public, simple yet creative but at the same time precise and enthusiastic. A true artist who dedicates his life to his passion for gastronomy in order to ensure his guests have the most memorable experience.

Gallery Arté features art and sculptures by a range of different artists, with exhibitions changing two times a year. See Art Gallery Exhibitions section for further information. Visits to the Art Gallery are possible during opening hours or by prior arrangement.

THE COCKTAIL BAR
The Cocktail Bar is a sought-after place for a get-together or meeting, with live piano playing every evening during summer.

BANANO BAR
Nestled amongst the banana palms, this intimate garden bar is a great place to unwind and catch the last rays of the summer sun.

SALONE DEL CAMINO
To enjoy this old time atmosphere, treating yourself with a peaceful moment while savouring a delicious Afternoon Tea.

PAMPER YOURSELF
Reinvigorate your soul and boost your inner strength and outer beauty at our Clarins Beauty Corner. Our treatments and massages, for men and women, can be tailor-made to your requirements. Our Beauty therapists look forward to welcoming you into the relaxing oasis of the Clarins Beauty Corner, by appointment.

PERFECT STYLING
Step into a salon in a class of its own. Our devoted and highly skilled team of stylists will blow you away. Enjoy quality cuts, colours and restyles in an elegant setting, catering to ladies and gentlemen.

PRIVATE TERRACE ON THE LAKE
Directly on the lake accross the park of Villa Castagnola, facing south, there is an amazing place where to spend moments of peace, relaxation and quietness.

Our private terrace offers a spectacular panoramic view on the Gulf of Lugano. Open during summer, from sunrise to sunset, the private terrace is equipped with deck chairs for sunbathing and sofas to relax.

A UNIQUE SPACE FOR CREATIVE MINDS
Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola enjoys a spectacular and absolutely unique environment. This is “the” place for distinguished presentations, outstanding events, private meetings or conferences that will be organized for you with the utmost professionalism and discretion.

FOR INSPIRING BUSINESS MEETINGS
We have a range of different rooms to suit every type of meeting, each has its own individual flavour and features original artworks from around the world. All rooms enjoy natural daylight and have high-tech audio/visual equipment and we can accommodate up to 120 people.

TEAM BUILDING AND INCENTIVES
Our professional team will help you organize every detail of your event. We will work with you to select the most suitable team building activities and incentive programmes and suggest a wide range of additional leisure activities.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY OF YOUR LIFE
At Villa Castagnola you can celebrate and enjoy intensely every moment of a lavish wedding with your family and friends, while our professional team will pay attention to every detail.

The wedding ceremony can take place in the sixth-century chapel located on the hotel grounds. The Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola is pleased to offer you a wide range of services for an unforgettable marriage.

CELEBRATING
The Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola transforms itself when it comes to celebrate important festivities such as Valentine’s Day, Easter, the National Day, Christmas and the New Year’s Eve.

Experience the magical of Christmas, filled with sparkling decorations and admire our eight large decorated Christmas trees; Easter shows off with its pastel colors and numerous Easter bunnies spread in the majestic rooms of the Villa.

Preparations for the New Year’s Eve already begin in summer with the important choice of the theme and the color of the evening. Villa Castagnola is always in movement with joy and sobriety to offer an unforgettable experience to all its guests.

LIVING THE ART
Take a life time journey around the world by discovering our art works located in the Hotel, in the park and in the restaurants of Villa Castagnola, which have been selected with care and dedication by the owners.

GALLERY ARTÉ AL LAGO
The Restaurant Gallery Arté al Lago, is proud to host within its spaces the renowned Art Gallery. Twice a year, nominated local and international distinguished artists, exhibit their work in a unique and spectacular setting.

The culinary art expressed by our Chef Frank Oerthle and the art works meet in this place donating a unique and unforgettable experience to their visitors and guests. It is possible to visit the Gallery Arté al Lago during the opening hours of the restaurant or prior appointment.

A WALK IN THE PARK
The art works in the park of Villa Castagnola are in complete harmony with the elegant and refined atmosphere of the Hotel, inviting its visitors to admire and discover them.

LUGANO & TICINO
Lugano is the largest town in Ticino, the canton that enjoys 2,300 hours of sunshine every year. Spring visits the region early and summer lingers longer than in the rest of Switzerland.

If that isn’t reason enough to visit Lugano, then there is also the spectacular scenery, lush subtropical vegetation and fabulous Mediterranean-influenced cuisine.

To get the most out of our beautiful region we will be happy to help you plan and organize business incentive programmes and team-building activities or private excursions, at any time of the year.

ACTIVITIES
Our fabulous concierge team remains at your complete disposal to make your stay in Lugano as carefree and as memorable as possible. Each of your request will be valued and answered with discretion and professionalism.

May it be a relaxing holiday or a business trip, our team will accompany and assist you selecting for you the best activities, events, culinary suggestions and transportation tips which most suits to your needs, choosing from a wide range of proposals available in our beautiful Canton Ticino and in the neighbouring peninsula.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Due to the region’s beautiful climate, sporting activities are plentiful. Within easy reach, and just over the border in Italy, are some of the best golf courses in Europe – 70 golf courses within 70km offer everything that golf enthusiasts could possibly desire. If golf isn’t your game, there are many other possibilities:

• Excursions
• Water Sports
• Extreme Sports
• Horse riding
• Golf
• Go-karting
• Bowling

Rooms: 72

Price: from 374 EUR per night

Source: www.villacastagnola.com