I start with the hotel where my first stay took place many years ago and also the one where I have been most, the Castello del Sole (see also my review). The biggest asset here is by all means the most beautiful hotel park in Switzerland I know and this with its own private beach (140 hectares). The building complex is a gem, old and new houses are combined to create an atmospheric whole. What I always like here, is the hotel’s understated luxury. 

The long-time hosts, Simon and Gabriela Jenny, are gracious and accommodative. As a fine food lover, you are here at the right spot. As from 2017, a new chef is at work, Mattias Roock, and from what I hear, he does a good job. The signature restaurant is awarded one Michelin star and 18 Gault Millau Points. Do not miss the great outdoor lunch at Ristorante Parco Saleggi, which is not only a treat but also reasonably priced when you are on full board!

A minor drawback of the hotel might be its location a bit away from Ascona’s center. You can reach it in a scenic walk along the lakeshore of about 40 minutes.

Regarding the second hotel, the Giardino, I have to admit that my last stay here dates back some years, so I cannot comment how it feels like being a hotel guest here right now. The hotel is located near the Castello del Sole Hotel, but its grounds are not that extensive. The Tuscany style buildings are located in a residential area adjacent to the golf course with beautifully landscaped gardens complete with a water lily pond.

There is much on offer for foodies, the flagship restaurant is even awarded two Michelin Stars and 17 Gault Millau Points.

A slight drawback of the property is that it is located a bit remotely, away from the town center. Even more matters the fact that the Giardino has no lake access as its two local competitors in the same segment.

Review Eden Roc Hotel

As already mentioned, the hotel’s location is hard to beat! Unlike the other mentioned luxury hotels in Ascona it is centrally situated, a few steps from the lakeside promenade where all the activity in this former fishing village with its southern charm takes place. And it boasts with a lakefront that other hotels can only dream of.

Facilities

Rooms/Pricing

featuring a small bathroom with a combined tub/shower

and a spacious balcony with a spectacular view, which could not be better!

When it comes to style, I found Carlo Rampazzi’s style implementation in our room very attractive!

Our son’s room was quite large (about 24 sqm), nicely furnished,

 comprising a reasonably sized bathroom with a shower

and a small balcony with views of the neighboring property.

In my view, rooms are priced adequately. Given the fact that that our room (Deluxe Lake View) was not especially large and the bathroom small, I consider rates from 529 to 797 SFR (per day and room including breakfast) as appropriate.

As from 2017, a new director – Andreas Gartmann – was appointed. When my family stayed at the Eden Roc, he welcomed everyone and chatted with the guests on the occasion of a generous champagne reception on the jetty.

All the staff we encountered during our stay was amiable, attentive and informative, it cannot be faulted.

There is much choice when it comes to restaurants, four of them onsite and an additional one in the sister hotel Albergo Carcani on the lakeside promenade in the heart of Ascona! We opted for the Resort Dine Around – you pay 70 SFR per night and person, you order whatever you want and 80 SFR per night and person are deducted from the check. Out of this selection we went for the following restaurants – not choosing the above mentioned outside restaurant and the Ristorante Eden Roc with newly interpreted classics awarded 15 Gault Millau Points (the “breakfast restaurant”).

This was our choice for the first day, which was a bit overcast and windy, so not the perfect occasion for a restaurant with outdoor seating only. There where plastic walls installed, which did not always offer a good enough protection against the winds. Anyway, the setting must be dreamlike on a hot summer evening! The atmosphere is quite intimate as there are not that many tables and if feels rather relaxed. What I found a bit disturbing was the outdoor kitchen, which brings along some immissions. It was not too bad and probably a consequence of the installed plastic walls but nonetheless somewhat bothersome.

There is quite a small menu, homemade pasta as well as fish and meat options from the grill. We went for the Mediterranean antipasti buffet, which offered a good selection of delicate and well-prepared dishes.

Afterwards, we decided to have fish

as we had seen it showcased when entering the restaurant. As you are charged by weight and get a whole fish (we had turbot and sole), we received a large portion and payed correspondingly quite a steep price (85 SFR/per person for the main only). While the fish was of great quality and immaculately cooked, we found that we should have had a choice as to the serving size. The desserts were a hit, my tiramisu

was just perfect!

This is the flagship restaurant onsite, and my family dined here twice! We highly enjoyed the meals although we got the same array of nibbles, amuse bouche, pre-dessert and friandises twice but we did not mind because they were so delicious.

Whereas we had the smaller menu (four courses, water and earth) on our first visit, we dined a la carte (three courses) the second time and both time we were blown away by the inventive cuisine, the quality of ingredients as well as their preparation and presentation! Of course, cooking this good does not come inexpensive (e.g. four-course-menu 145 SFR). We were surprised that the cuisine has not been awarded a Michelin Star yet, this should be merely a matter of time!

Here are some highlights of our dinners. In terms of starters scallops with avocado, cucumber and buttermilk

or acquerello risotto with langoustines

were outstanding dishes. As to mains, sole with lemon sauce hollandaise

or pigeon with a port wine jus

were excellent choices. Regarding desserts, we were delighted when we were served a heavenly chocolate-fruit variation

or a divine curd soufflé with mango and passionfruit.

As the weather permitted it on both evenings, we had dinner on the terrace, which is a very nice thing to do with beautiful views of the gardens and the lake.

3. Ristorante and Lounge Marina (14 Gault Millau Points)

If you seek modern cuisine in a relaxed ambiance, then you have to go to this dining-spot, which is also very popular with people not staying at the hotel. The setting is nice, once again we were seated outside and enjoyed a lake view from a new perspective.

A wide choice of dishes is available: a variety of salads and starters just as different tartare dishes and bruschettas, pasta, several fish and few meat dishes. Many of the former options can be ordered as a starter or as a main course, which is a good thing in case you do not want to have fish or meat.

While I “only” had a salad, my husband and my son opted for a bruschetta with guacamole, beef tartare and tomatoes

resp. vitello tonnato with grilled tataki tuna.

And they were quite full after these starters as the portions were quite generous. Fortunately, the serving sizes of the mains – monkfish with mashed potatoes

and sea bass with zucchini and lemon potatoes

– were a bit more reasonable. For desserts, we chose an Amalfi lemon with its mousse

and a tiramisu Marina (with its ice cream).

All the dishes we had were not only tasty, perfectly prepared and nicely arranged but came with a modern twist, which was appreciated by us as we like to be surprised when eating out.

Staying at the Eden Roc hotel was an enjoyable experience. The prime lake front setting and the immaculate facilities make it the perfect vacation hotel when seeking an “near-Mediterranean feeling” without actually going that far. In terms of rooms it has to be said that double rooms are neither spacious nor ultimately luxurious. Having said that, they are well-appointed and accordingly priced. When it comes to views, I think we were a bit lucky with the room we were allocated. In my opinion, there are not that many rooms with a comparably similar good vista! Thus, you may be well advised to inquire accordingly at the time of booking.

Facing the decision whether to opt for the Eden Roc or the Castello del Sole – no comments to Giardino as my last stay here dates way back – I can give the following recommendations. Go for the Eden Roc if you prefer a great lake front and closeness to the town center, opt for the Castello del Sole if you favor a property with a sensation of vastness and proximity to nature.

Date of stay: June 2018

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