UPDATE: no renovation done since 2009, upcoming comprehensive renovation works are scheduled for the first quarter 2027 (grand reopening planned for May 2027)

Tremendous views, nice rooms, good restaurant:

My husband and I stayed a weekend at Hotel Villa Principe Leopoldo. It is wonderfully located above the Lake Lugano in a historical mansion with astounding views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

You have to be aware that the hotel is not in Lugano’s center. You reach it maybe in a five-minute drive or in a 30-minute walk (downhill, uphill more). We had a Deluxe Room at the Villa (main building). You find also accommodations at The Residence Principe Leopoldo. It is a few steps away and has no view whatsoever. In contrast to the villa where the rooms are in a classic design, the ones at the residence are more modern. Our villa room was quite large (45 square meters) and nicely decorated. 

Breakfast was okay but nothing to write home about. We once dined at the Principe Leopoldo Restaurant (16 points Gault Millau). Food was very good, especially the risotto. We had a tasting menu, which was fine but came in huge portions. I would probably dine à la carte on a next occasion. The atmosphere at the restaurant was very Italian, meaning rather traditional. Yet the staff was eager to please. That was true for alle the employees we met. We used the pool by the villa, but not the one by the residence. It was nice but the deckchairs needed to be replaced (quite dated).



All in all, we enjoyed our stay at this hotel, especially the really splendid view of the lake and the vicinity. You can find the complete property details of Villa Principe Leopoldo on Tablet Hotels.

Date of stay: August 2011