Museum of the hotel's history, on the 1st floor
A Journey Through the Hotel’s History
To share with guests the historical legacy of a century, Beatrice and Alessandra Schmid set out to explore the archives, storage rooms and attics of the hotel in search of treasures capable of telling—and bringing back to life—one hundred years of achievements, growth and memorable milestones, from 1906 to 2006.
The result of this passionate research is the Centenary Museum: a place where objects, documents, photographs and memories intertwine to recreate a vivid and authentic portrait of the hotel’s past.
The heart of the exhibition is located in the museum room on the first floor, opposite room No. 105, while the visit continues across five floors, guided by historical panels displayed along the main staircase. It is not merely a display of old memorabilia: it invites visitors to discover, step by step, the evolution of the hotel and the family who has cared for it for more than a century.
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