Ticino is all about hospitality and its people. Here, vacation hearts beat faster, as there is a wealth of accommodations with historical charm to discover, each telling a world of stories. The first inhabitants of these stylish and historic houses were true kings, noblemen, or simple farmers.

Ticino associations, foundations, and private individuals have taken up the cause of maintaining and preserving these historic buildings. Today, we would like to introduce you to a few of these unique and artistic accommodations!

Italian flair in Switzerland’s southernmost valley. Villa Oleandro in the Muggio Valley

The Muggio Valley in Ticino’s Mendrisiotto is not only the southernmost valley in Switzerland, but also one of the most beautiful. The area primarily thrives on agriculture and the production of local products.

At the top of the mountain in the small village of Casima is the quaint but charming B&B „Villa Oleandro.“ The classic villa, dating back to 1874, has been carefully renovated, featuring spacious rooms and new bathrooms. A hearty breakfast is served either in the historic kitchen or on the sunny terrace, offering a view of the countryside.

The Italian flair of Ticino is not only palpable for guests at Villa Oleandro, but is also literally within reach, allowing vacationers to embark on cross-border hiking and biking tours.

You can find out more at: www.villaoleandro.net

Reside like the Milanese nobility? At the Romantik Hotel Castello Seeschloss

Where the Milanese noble family „de’ Ghiriglioni“ dined, celebrated, and danced in Ticino in the middle of the 13th century, travelers can now spend the night. Back then, a small fortress with four corner towers, a wall measuring 41 by 54 meters, its own jetty, and moats protected the inhabitants from raids.

Four hundred years later, the family left the estate, after which the history of the stately building became lost. It was not until 300 years later, at the beginning of the 20th century, that the building was given a new lease of life. The former residence was transformed into the Romantik Hotel Castello Seeschloss. The four-star hotel on Ascona’s lakeside promenade features 45 individually furnished rooms of different categories and a heated outdoor pool for relaxation.

More information here: www.castello-seeschloss.ch

Where tradition meets innovation: at the Arbostora Charme Hotel.

The former fishing village of Morcote lies on the shores of Lake Lugano and is undoubtedly one of the most photographed motifs in Ticino. The Arbostora Charme Hotel is located directly on the lake in this beautiful Swiss village. Tradition and modernity come together in the Art Nouveau villa, which has only been open to guests since May 2021 after extensive renovation work.

The style is continued in the ten rooms, which are furnished with timeless furniture. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s culinary delights on the large terrace with lake views, complemented by an impressive selection of wines. In the lobby, host Tiago Silva presents over 300 wines of various origins – his pride and joy, as the native Portuguese likes to emphasize.

More about the historic accommodation at: www.hotelarbostora.ch

Authentic & historic living: At the Albergo Diffuso in the Verzasca Valley.

Here, an entire village becomes a hotel!
Following the Italian model, five of the rustici scattered around the village serve as rooms, the narrow alleyways form the hotel corridors, while the osteria invites guests to linger as a reception and meeting point with a panoramic terrace.
In the spirit of sustainability, the implementation of this innovative hotel project preserves the historic architecture of the authentic Ticino village and at the same time generates a tourist benefit that ensures the continued existence of the village.
The “Albergo Diffuso” in Corippo is ideal for people who want to get to know life in an authentic Ticino village, take a break from everyday life, appreciate contact with the locals and at the same time enjoy modern gastronomic amenities.

You can find out more about the historical project here: www.fondazionecorippo.ch

From patrician house to stylish private villa: the Relais Castello di Morcote.

At the end of the village of Vico Morcote, high above Lake Lugano, is the small, elegant boutique hotel Relais Castello di Morcote. The name has its origins in the Castello di Morcote, the only surviving medieval fortress in the Lugano region. The 17th-century patrician house has been successfully transformed into an elegant hotel with twelve rooms in the style of a luxurious private villa.

All rooms are furnished with high-quality natural materials and offer a magnificent view of the lake and mountains. The large terrace invites guests to sunbathe, relax, or enjoy the hotel’s own wines. The building is located near the vineyard, where the ancient Romans cultivated wine and where some of the 100 best wines in Switzerland are produced today.

More about the Castello here: www.relaiscastellodimorcote.ch