Words from our guests

Reviews and excerpts from our guest

The history of a hotel is made up of tales. And these tales are not only those that are told, but also those that are heard from others. Here, then, are some testimonials from guests who have stayed at the Hotel International au Lac.

Lugano Love

My husband and I so enjoyed this hotel along beautiful Lake Lugano. We chose to stay here over Lake Como and are so glad we did! We had a beautiful room facing the lake. We sat on the balcony for hours and enjoyed the view and people watching. The staff was so very courteous and helpful. The location was conveniently located to the train station, bus stop, and the ferry stop. The hotel was elegant with beautiful dining room and sitting areas.

Tripadvisor_Chris F, Atascadero, California

Excellent place to stay

A great place to stay. A historic building with modern comforts. Friendly efficient staff and a good choice for the buffet breakfast. There’s an honesty bar that is well stocked. Great location overlooking the lake and next to shops and restaurants. Excellent place to stay.

Tripadvisor_NWGuy, Northwich, United Kingdom

My favorite hotel

Great view of lake in front. Wonderful pool at the back. A wonderful church to visit next door. Walk along the water. Then cross the street for 6+ restaurants from fast food to pizza, seafood, wine 🍷. There was a performer on the stage to watch while eating outside.
I also swam in the lake. Friends rented a little motor boat. Heaven😇

Google_B. Christensen

Excellent hotel

Excellent hotel. Location is great, not far from train station, close to the lake and near to shops, restaurants. The building is old and has great character, room was lovely and looked recently refurbished. Staff very friendly and efficient. Breakfast was good with a wide choice. Would definitely stay here again.

Google_Ian Simmonds

Loved this hotel!

It is beautiful and historic but updated nicely. The hotel offered breakfast, which was amazing, and the location was fantastic. The room had a great view and well appointed. The pool was amazing as well, and they had an "honesty bar" where you could self serve drinks which was very nice. The best part, though, was the discounts the hotel gives the guests for activities and transportation around town. We did not expect this and honestly didn't use it much because we were only there one night, but what a lovely thing to offer people!

Google_Liz Doud

We enjoyed the self service bar

The staff was very friendly and the hotel had a great atmosphere and beautiful decoration. We enjoyed the self service bar and the breakfast buffet was quite rich. The rooms were well equipped and nicely decorated. The location was great.

Google_ırmak çabas

Charming Historic Hotel with Up-to-Date feel

Our stay at this hotel was very nice. The location and view from our room made the stay in Lugano picturesque and very memorable. The staff and accommodations deserve the high rating associated with the hotel. While maintaining the historic feel it has been very tastefully updated to a high standard and remain comfortable. The provided breakfast provided an assortment of options, and you have the opportunity to also order to get a better quality if desired. The wait staff were very friendly and helpful even providing us local activity options to when requested. Check in and check out were very efficient and the front desk staff answered every question I posed to them and went above and beyond by reserving a car to take us to the Milan airport very early in the morning. My wife and I were more than happy with our stay and would both return and recommend this to hotel.

Tripadvisor_Ameyon H

Excellent!

Another amazing stay at this gorgeous family-owned hotel. Starting with a warm welcome at the reception, beautiful garden with blooming roses and lavender and rosemary. And of course - a swimming pool. And such an excellent breakfast- with Villeroy & Boch table settings. There’s a family and hotel history in every detail. And location - more than excellent! Highly recommended! You won’t regret a bit! ♥️🇨🇭

Tripadvisor_Signe S

A perfect stay at the International au Lac in Lugano.

Everything perfect, from the moment we arrived until we had to leave. Very friendly staff, lovingly furnished and perfect located in the middle of Lugano with a wonderful view to the lake. We will revisit Lugano again and when we do, we will definitely book a room in the International au Lac.
Warm regards.
Family Deutschländer

Google_ralf dieter

Old World Charm

We loved this old world hotel. It was charming with a great location and the price was reasonable, including a breakfast buffet that was excellent. The room was comfortable with a nice balcony that overlooked the lake. We would stay here again anytime.

Tripadvisor_Scot O

Beautiful historic hotel

Spent a wonderful week in Lugano staying at Hotel International. What a beautiful hotel. Room was lovely and clean with a side view of the lake. Breakfast selections were exemplary, what a choice. Waiters and staff, all wonderful English language not a problem. Such a lovely historic hotel. Furnishings beautiful. No evening meal but no problem plenty of restaurants nearby. No problem with noise and electronic shutters of night, control in room. Lovely garden with pool. Ticino Travel Pass given when you register for free travel in area. Highly recommend this wonderful hotel.

mas5, Dornoch, Great Britain

Great stay at this Hotel

We had a great stay at this Hotel and staff were welcoming and professional. View on the Lake was beautiful. Worldly at this property again.

Tripadvisor_3808pomfret, Charlotte, Carolina del Nord

Superb experience

I really liked the hotel. It has a historic charm, yet it is very well maintained. Loved the pool.
Loved the 24/7 honesty bar.I had a great view from my room and the staff was super friendly and helpful.
Right in front of the hotel there is a boat renting place or you can take a water taxi to some of the nice restaurants (grotta) on the other side of the lake. I was there in a business trip, but I will definitely come again with my family.

Tripadvisor_Stefan Scheidl, Basel

Great stay at a historical gem

Found this hotel by searching google maps for a place overlooking the lake for 2 nights and it was a great find that we will definitely come back. Get the rooms facing the lake with a terrace.

Tripadvisor_Fawaz M, Madrid

Great Hotel Close to the Lake

Beautiful hotel, especially if you pay for a lake view on the top floor, as we did.

Tripadvisor_DanishNovelist, Portland, Oregon

Perfect location

Perfect location, rooms clean, bathroom smaller however updated and clean. 1st floor sitting room very nice, 6/24 coffee/tea, honour bar, ice and snack amenities. Staff helpful.

Google.com_Gerry Cohen

Great Lugano Hotel

Ideal location, decor intended to help you feel the history of the place without feeling dated, and the staff were excellent in all regards. We had the three-person suite and found it more spacious than expected. Bathrooms appeared to be updated recently. The pool and back garden were peaceful and relaxing. Breakfast was great. Price was less than Lucerne or Zurich hotels.

Tripadvisor_Jack F, Columbus, Ohio, United States

A pearl in the middle of Lugano!

Fantastic visit - super happy with everything! Location, breakfast, room, interior design and staff - all five stars.

Tripadvisor_Anders R

Great stay!

Very nice hotel with charm. Comfortable, renovated, clean room and very good breakfast. The location is excellent.

Tripadvisor_Rans, Rodi, Greece

The place to be

We spent a wonderful weekend. The location is just perfect, we enjoyed a nice pool, service and employees are very nice.

Tripadvisor_sburdin, Lion, France

Wonderful old charm hotel with attentive Service in great location

Beautiful Hotel with very comfortable rooms and great amenities. Loved the lounge and honesty bar. Great location to lake and old town.

Tripadvisor_Daniel J, Boone

Lake side Gem

Always a pleasure to come back to this hotel. Great location, great underground parking, nice hosts, super breakfast.

Thomas K, Monte-Carlo, Principato di Monaco

A fabulous hotel in a great location.

We would highly recommend this hotel. It is lovely, located perfectly for restaurants, shops, and scenery etc. The staff are friendly and very accommodating of requests. There is a beautiful garden with a pool which is great during the summer. The breakfast is plentiful and something for everyone. There is a self-serve honesty bar with a selection of drinks including coffee wine and fizz. We had a lovely room with balcony looking across the lake.

Tripadvisor_Caroline H

A Pleasant Stay in a Lovely City

The hotel is well located on the street that runs along pretty Lake Lugano, with lake views from indoor and outdoor common spaces and from some rooms. It sits at one end of a pedestrian area with many restaurants and shops. The owners have done a good job of modernizing the bedrooms while also preserving the charm of this elegant old hotel; one can easily imagine its fin-de-siècle days. The second floor has a large breakfast room and a large, comfortable lounge; and its halls are hung with original paintings. The breakfast is very good, the reception staff helpful, the gardens pleasant.

Tripadvisor_Withyscott, Portland, Oregon

5 star service

We loved staying here. From the pictures you couldn’t tell how large the outdoor areas are and the lounge areas. My kids loved the cars in particular. The service at the pool was 5-star and we especially loved the Aperol spritz outdoor bar. The decor is traditional it was just lovely. Closet space in the rooms also huge.

Tripadvisor_Sharryn G

Wonderful, Charming Hotel

This is a wonderful hotel with old world charm in a terrific, yet quiet, location by Lake Lugano, with easy walking to restaurants and town. We (2 couples) loved our 3 nights stay here. Our rooms were spacious (in contrast to frequent European standards) and had balconies that overlooked the lake. While a historic hotel, the rooms were well equipped and the bathrooms modern. Breakfast buffet was extensive, very good and included hot options. There is an honesty bar which was a pleasant place to relax after sightseeing or for a pre-dinner drink. The staff were friendly, efficient and offered great advice on sights, transport, etc. We would definitely stay here again when next in Lugano.

Tripadvisor_ Stephen A, Charlotte, North Carolina

A gem!

This is one of the best hotels we have stayed in, despite its inexplicably low 3-Star rating. The family owners have preserved the history and character of the building while modernising it sympathetically and stylishly. The location is good and, from rooms with a view of the lake, very pleasant. Our refurbished lake view double room with balcony was comfortable despite the very hot weather, thanks to efficient air conditioning and electric roller blinds. In addition to ample storage and a very smart bathroom, the provision of a small fridge was much appreciated. The breakfast offer, and service, was excellent - as was the lounge and honesty bar, and the drinks available on the terrace (a delightful area, with the added attraction of an outdoor swimming pool). All the staff were friendly and helpful, with a particular shout-out to the breakfast team. All in all, a great hotel.

Tripadvisor_Mike D

Lugano Gem

We stayed in Room 299. For a family of 5 we had trouble finding a room to fit us all. This is maybe the best room we’ve ever had (1000+ hotel nights experience). On the courtyard. Great value, even if it was more than you expect to pay in North America, this was in beautiful Lugano, right downtown. Hotel has been in the family for over 100 years. Great art on the walls and amazing history. Breakfast was perfect, service impeccable, nightly bar in the courtyard right outside the room (not busy as they are mostly serving guests at the pool up one level. All in all, one of the greatest experiences imaginable.

Tripadvisor_sasktravels, Saskatchewan, Canada

A lovely experience

The location is wonderful, maybe the staff is better. Even an old guy like I could throw a stone from the front door to the bus stop, and with the Ticino card the entire canton is accessible. The breakfast is open for several hours with a vast collection of choices. It was a totally comfortable and enjoyable stop. I'm very glad I made this choice.

Tripdvisor_David D

Book this hotel!

Book this hotel! Location is perfect, the staff was super helpful, and the rooms are very nice!! Very European!! A great stay!!

Google.com_Kathy Murray

Fine hospitality and location on the lake

Great traditional hotel with some modern touches for our two-night stay in Lugano. Perfect location to explore the old city area walking. Room was comfortable and quiet. Parking was available down a ramp under hotel. Breakfast was excellent.

solyluz, Boulder, Colorado

Great two-night stay

Had a great two-night stay at the Hotel International Au Lac and really enjoyed our stay there. Lovely old and historic hotel, nicely furnished and interesting. Very friendly staff, good facilities and breakfast was very good and plentiful too. Close to the lake but a bit of a distance from the train station which is at the top of the hill. If arriving by train it is best to catch the funicular railway down to lake level, which we missed, and then walk along the main pedestrianised street to the hotel. Fare is less than €2 but free with hotel travel pass. Despite staying during the July heatwave our room had very good aircon and nice beds. Room was quiet and we slept well. Water from the tap is very drinkable. Would definitely stay again.

Tripadvisor_Brian W, Stony Stratford, UK

Old-World Traditional Elegance with Contemporary Sensibilities

The Hotel International au Lac has old-world elegance in look, feel, and service. Ripe with historic presence, they keep a sense of tradition without feeling dowdy. A small museum can be found in a room on the first floor with artifacts and information from the hotel's past. Renovations have been performed to many rooms like the one I had, with a comfortable bathroom and shower. The bed was firm but not hard - sleep came easily. The small balcony gave a partial view of the lake, as advertised. The modern windows shielded the room from outdoor noise - set back from the street, vehicle sounds were not noticeable. Complimentary breakfast provided a nutritious start to the day, a buffet with continental choices plus scrambled eggs and basic sides. Juices and coffees were included. Specialty egg dishes could be ordered for a modest charge. Hotel service was professional and friendly, from the front desk to the dining room to the service staff. The location is a short walk from the town center, away from the busy sounds of the restaurants and piazzas, but close to a bus stop (use that Ticino Ticket!), underground parking, and LAC. The owners and staff clearly are proud of this grand hotel and are eager to share its charms with their guests. I would not hesitate to stay here during future visits to Lugano.

Tripadvisor_Steve K