Opening of the San Gottardo Railway Line
The beginning of tourism in Ticino
The opening of the Saint Gotthard railway tunnel in 1882 connected the northern Alps with the sunny southern side, thus making access easier for tourists. The calculations for the drilling work from both sides, the so‑called triangulation, were carried out by a 29‑year‑old young engineer, Otto Gelpke, who was a relative of the Disler family. This achievement motivated and enabled Anton Disler (1880–1935), a hotelier from Lucerne, to open a second hotel in Lugano in 1906 by purchasing land and a 2-storey-building from the “monastery” of Santa Maria degli Angioli.
The building at Via Nassa 68, before the transformation
From family home to hotel via the Apostolic Administration
Great-grandfather Anton Disler's hotel concept
"The hotel must be comfortable, without excessive luxury, in light colours
Offer and project by arch. Giuseppe Pagani
The architect and entrepreneur in tourism development and the birth of the hotel in record time
Origin of the name "International au Lac"
Accessibility and location: how they influence hotel names
All Roads lead to Ticino
There are many ways to discover breathtaking scenic routes, from glaciers to palm trees.
The Bel-Etage: the social heart of the hotel since 1906
The noble hall: an atmosphere of bygone times, tradition evolving with the needs of the guests
From the Chamber Pot to Today's Comfort
Initially, the rooms did not have a private bathroom: they were equipped with washbasins with running water
Underground garage in the heart of the historic centre
Courage and foresight: the birth of the hotel's underground garage
Ten years of commitment to air-conditioning 100 venues
The freshness that passes through walls
The Return of the Belle Époque to Room No. 221
One room, two eras: from the founders to today's guests
A new generation thermal system is born
47.5% reduction in CO emissions thanks to the technological leap
Triptych of room renovations
Investing in the future, preserving the past and building the new, safeguarding history
ICOMOS/ UNESCO and NZZ Recognitions
Awarded for the art of combining history and modern comfort by the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the Neue Zürcher Zeitung
Words from our customers
Based on hundreds of reviews from travellers around the world, we assure you that choosing to stay with us was the right decision.
The Hotel International au Lac Today and Tomorrow
A combination of unique services in an unbeatable location plus the fifth generation and pages yet to be written