Bubbles and Spoon
Updated: Jan 13, 2023
Hotel and Restaurant stay at Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola
A very enjoyable stay, at Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola. Nestled in between the mountains and impressive lake of Lugano you can find this charming Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola. Once owned by a noble Russian family, the Von Ritters as their winter residence. In 1982 it is turned into a Grand Hotel by The Garzoni family from Lugano and are still running it today. What a setting, spectacular!
Picture owned by: Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola
We stayed 2 nights in this luxurious and wonderful hotel. We had dinner one evening in the 1 Michelin star restaurant Artè al Lago and one evening at restaurant Le Relais both belonging to the hotel.
Some impressions from the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola.
Pictures owned by: Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola
We had an exquisite and spacious Junior Suite of around 45 sqm with a warm and inviting interior. The view was spectacular. The Junior Suites comes with a double comfy bed and two bathrooms (1x bath and 1x shower). There was a cosy and very fine looking sitting room in a very luxurious setting. A desk area and more than enough closet space. All with Private balcony and a view of the enchanting park and Lake Lugano. What an amazing suite it was!
(Pictures taken and owned by The Virtual Stylist.)
We started with Champagne, a light lunch and dessert in the beautiful manicured garden from the Hotel. The weather was sunny and we had a great view on the Lake of Lugano. What a brilliant way to kickoff.
(Picture taken and owned by The Virtual Stylist.)
(Picture taken and owned by The Virtual Stylist.)
In the evening we had dinner in the 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Arté al Lago. Chef Frank Oerthle, named 2009 Emerging Chef for Ticino and in charge since the opening in 2001, translates his culinary passion into an innovative and tempting selection of dishes, creating above all menus based on sea and lake fish. A chef who loves contact with the public, simple yet creative but at the same time precise and enthusiastic. A true artist who dedicates his life to his passion for gastronomy in order to ensure his guests have the most memorable experience.
(Picture taken and owned by The Virtual Stylist.)
A glorious and remarkable decor of this impressive restaurant. The award-winning Galleria Arté al Lago Restaurant is the jewel in the crown of the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola. This unique restaurant in Ticino is housed in an art gallery overlooking the waters of Lake Ceresio and offers a breathtaking view. The restaurant has 16 GaultMillau points and was awarded a Michelin Star in 2011. The sumptuous spaces are decorated with works of art by internationally renowned artists with thematic exhibitions that are renewed twice a year, creating an exclusive ambience.
(Picture taken and owned by The Virtual Stylist.)
The dazzling view over Lake Lugano from our table by night.
(Picture taken and owned by The Virtual Stylist.)
We had opted for a five-course surprise dinner, I have some impressions for you. The last course, our dessert was not what it looks like. In fact it was sweet, which was very impressive. The asparagus was in fact chocolate and what looked like cucumber was sweet as well. It all was very exciting.
(Pictures taken and owned by The Virtual Stylist.)
The dinner and service was excellent and completed by a visit of the Chef himself Frank Oerthle. The food was incredible and he is such a nice man!
Some impressions from Lugano by night. What a view!
(Pictures taken and owned by The Virtual Stylist.)
The next day we went with the funicular up to the Monte Bré, but because of the cloudy weather, there was not so much to see. In the afternoon we strolled through the centre Lugano where we visited some lovely shops and sushi restaurant Kohakinho. In the evening we had dinner at the restaurant Le Relais also belonging to the hotel, which was very different from our experience in the Arté al Lago restaurant. There is also a wonderful spa in the Hotel, which you must not forget to visit and especially relax!
kohakinho sushi restaurant in Lugano. Pictures taken by the Virtual Stylist.
A few more impressions of the gorgeous Hotel itself. You can see how well kept, charming and beautiful the Hotel is.
(Pictures taken and owned by The Virtual Stylist.)
As always a stay is coming to an end and after a delicious breakfast we headed home and are dreaming about are next destination, but you never know, maybe we will come back to this marvellous Hotel once again.
(Pictures taken and owned by The Virtual Stylist.)
We thank the staff for their fabulous and welcoming service! We have enjoyed every minute of it!