Products are independently selected by our editors. We may earn an affiliate commission from links. An overlooked jewel hugging its very own lakeโLake Luganoโthe city has long been a haven for writers and artists drawn to its palm tree-lined beauty, Alpine foothills, warm summer weather, and relative sense of ease. During the long days of COVID lockdowns, northern Swiss travelers were drawn to the city and its sense of remove as well as drastically different weather from the rest of the country in increased numbers.
Today the spark of energy ignited by its recent increase in domestic popularity continues, and Lugano has slowly been drawing visitors from further and further afield.
We have porphyry, a volcanic stone, very rich in minerals, which gives us a unique and elegant Merlot, and other vineyards that are very rich in limestone, perfect for Chardonnay. The once relatively sleepy city, long overshadowed by its neighbor Como, has now woken upโand established itself as a destination unto itself.
There is little modern about Hotel Splendide Royalโsave for the addition of a small pool and spaโbut indeed, that is its appeal. The five-star hotel has a timeless feel most notable at the main restaurant, La Veranda, which serves a sumptuous Champagne breakfast buffet and formal dinners attended by a small army of servers.
Boasting a Michelin Star, it serves a cuisine drawn from the flavors of, as its name implies, two souths: southern Italy and southern Switzerland. I Due Sud seats just 20 guests, so advance reservations are required. If the Splendide represents old Lugano, The View represents the future.
