UPDATE: also check out my newer and more comprehensive post about Castello del Sole

Unbeatable location, vast property, superb full board:

We (family with a teenage son) have been to this hotel for the fourth time. And we enjoyed this stay as much as the two recent ones (the first one had been over 10 years ago with another director).

The Castello’s location is hardly to beat as it is wonderfully set on a 140-hectare-property directly on Lake Maggiore.

Not only there are vast nicely landscaped parklands but also a gorgeous shoreline.

I make a bet that you shall never experience a crowded beach there (unless you insist on a place in the sandy area …). The guest rooms are either in the main building or in two (newer) additional ones, available to book via Tablet Hotels. 

This time we had a nice (renovated) junior suite in the main building (two rooms with two small bathrooms – the one with a shower, the other with a tub). And it featured a small balcony too. Unfortunately, it came with a connecting door and therefore with the chance of it becoming noisy. Last time, we had a fantastic junior suite in one of the additional buildings. It was located in the Locarno Pavilion and was beautifully furnished with a spacious bathroom and a sizeable loggia.

The rooms in the new Ascona Pavilion are supposed to be even more luxurious.

The Pavilion houses also the superb SPA. There is an adequate fitness room (unfortunately with only one cross trainer that was often occupied on our stay). Furthermore, you find here a gymnastics room, a hydropool, a SPA suite and saunas. 

As far as the gastronomy is concerned there is a gourmet restaurant (17 points Gault-Millau),

a half board restaurant (dinner) and an additional full board restaurant (lunch). The latter you should not miss as it offers excellent value for money (30 SFr. for a hors d’oeuvre and salad buffet, meat and fish from the grill, pizza, pasta and a tempting dessert buffet). Once a week there is an aperitif offered by the management and a dinner offering local food (on demand).



All in all, Castello del Sole is a really great place to stay when heading to Ascona. The only disadvantage may be that it is not very near the town center (40 minutes by foot). And the shuttle offered by the hotel only operates from about 10 am to 6.30 pm. Otherwise the hotel is a true jewel!

Date of stay: August 2010