Since 1906: a centenary history of hospitality
120 years of history in a book and online
Since 1906, the Hotel International au Lac has been part of the life of the city and its guests.
Through family memories, archive documents and contemporary accounts, these pages tell the story of a hotel that has constantly reinvented itself without losing its identity.
It is a story of people, decisions and continuity, in which past and present intertwine and hospitality becomes a narrative.
The Genesis of Tourism in Lugano
From the project to the opening of the Hotel International au Lac
Great-grandfather Anton Disler's hotel concept
"The hotel should 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"
How accessibility and location influence hotel names
All Roads lead to Ticino
There are many ways to discover amazing scenic routes, from glaciers to palm trees
A journey guided by people
Renovations, upgrades and extensions
The Bel-Etage: the social heart of the hotel since 1906
The noble hall: an atmosphere of times gone by
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
Modern comfort, hidden within the walls
The Return of the Belle Époque to Room No. 221
One room, two eras: from the founders to today's guests
Renovations, upgrades and extensions
A new generation thermal system is born
47.5% reduction in CO₂ emissions thanks to the latest technology
Triptych of room renovations
Investing in the future, preserving the past and building the new, safeguarding history
Valorisation of a historic hotel and its heritage
The Hotel International au Lac - today and tomorrow
Words from our guests
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 - the fifth generation and pages yet to be written
Acknowledgements
Special thanks go to Evelyne Lüthi-Graf, who has supported me over the past ten years with her expertise and passion for archiving historical documents. Through her guidance, I have learned to read, understand, and interpret valuable sources, gaining new perspectives on the history of the hotel in the process.
For the content, editing, and production of these pages, I would like to thank, in alphabetical order: Raffaela Allegranti, Monique Bosco-von Allmen, Jean-Daniel and Irène Burnier, Elena De Simone- Petermann, Barbara Eisl, Werner Gelpke, Jack Helfenstein, Roberto Mazzantini, Bernardo Mutti, Brigitte Netzer, Alessandra Schmid, Georg Schmid and Joseph Schmid-Lang.
Roberto Schmid
Owner & managing director in the 4th generation
Bibliography and sources
- Archive Hotel International au Lac
- Column Hotel International au Lac
Archivio Storico Città di Lugano,
Special thanks go to Pietro Montorfani and Damiano Robbiani for the valuable information they have provided us with. - “Il nostro Paese, n. 322, dicembre 2014” Arch. Monique Bosco-von Allmen Società ticinese per l’Arte e la Natura (STAN)
- “Le soutien à l’hôtellerie suisse: Hérésie politique ou nécessité de promotion économique?” Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Hotelkredit (SGH)
- Cadastral map of Lugano from 1892–93
www.recuperando.ch - www.vianassalugano.ch e Mazzantini & Associati SA
Spring 2026
Great-grandfather Anton Disler's hotel concept
"The hotel should 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"
How accessibility and location influence hotel names
All Roads lead to Ticino
There are many ways to discover amazing scenic routes, from glaciers to palm trees
Five generations at a glance
From great-great-grandfather Anton Disler (1880–1935) to the youngest Aurelia (5th generation)
The Bel-Etage: the social heart of the hotel since 1906
The noble hall: an atmosphere of times gone by
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
Modern comfort, hidden within the 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 CO₂ emissions thanks to the latest technology
Triptych of room renovations
Investing in the future, preserving the past and building the new, safeguarding history
Words from our guests
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 - the fifth generation and pages yet to be written