Villa Castagnola Lugano – 7 Reasons Why It’s Exceptional

Wow, look at this staircase, Simba! Let’s spin around!

I tell my dog from the top of the magnificent stairs, touching the elegant railings and stepping down in sync with him. Hop, hop, hop, I can already see a white hat at the bottom, a toque. The chef is there, Alessandro Boleso, whom I know already, and that is meeting me  to talk about the three hotel restaurants. Or better, the villa’s restaurants, because this place already feels like home.

So why do I think that Villa Castagnola is exceptional, and that you would love it too? Let me give you 7 points that I just experienced myself, while staying for a long weekend.

1. The food is outstanding

Alessandro Boleso is turning heads in his chef’s uniform.

We hug and sit on the fluffy sofas. I have already tried his cooking and I am hungry just thinking about it. But  I don’t know much about his personal history, and I am quite curious.

Tell me, Alessandro, is it true that your team is basically a family, and you go hunting and mushroom picking together?

-Yes, most of them are like brothers. We worked in Como for 16 years, where we cooked regularly for people like George and Amal Clooney; I used to live in front of them. Some of the team followed me, when I moved to Villa Castagnola, and we now meet at work, and in our spare time too. I am nothing without them. We go fishing and mushroom picking. I do almost 20,000 steps each day, to pick the best ingredients.

-Like in the old days… And are all the ingredients from Lugano?

-It depends, sometimes it‘s difficult, for example, to have enough top quality fish from lake Lugano only, so I look at  the whole Insubrica region, around the three pre-Alpine lakes: Lake Como, Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore. Italy is, de facto, around the corner. I can walk there!

-When did you start having a passion for cooking?

-When I was eight years old, I saw my grandfather, who was also a chef, wearing the toque. I was fascinated and wanted to do the same. I thought I would not need to study. I skipped university, and didn’t know I would need to study all the time, for my whole career (laughs).

We go the the Lido, A private beach with a lakefront terrace, to take some pictures together. The evening at the Relais, one of the three hotel restaurants, I try Alessandro’s cooking again.

Personally I think one of his strengths is his exceptionally tender meat, and my second favorite is the presentation of his dishes: how they are served, covered and revealed, or finished with sauces before the food is tasted, and then how pretty they look.  Porcelain and table decoration are also part of the display.

 

2. The Spa is an enchanting grove

The luscious garden of Villa Castagnola goes all the way into its Spa and wellness area. A big, square whirlpool with a full glass side shows the body immersed in the steamy water. All around, lavish greenery forms a verdant oasis.

The massage rooms are all hand painted, with an ever changing ceiling, illuminated by small twinkling stars.

A covered pool, a gym and a clay tennis court complete the area.

My masseuse, Cristiana, has been working here for 31 years, which says a lot about the family atmosphere of Villa Castagnola. She tells me that she has had so many different clients of every religion, culture, and type, that she has learnt  a lot from interacting with them, especially from regulars.

I travel with them. I listen and discover things.

She explains.

She starts my massage and immediately spots the area where I have tension. I ask her how she does it.

I just feel it, I use my instinct

She says, making me relax with her expert touch.

 3. A subtropical park is located in the city center

Lugano is a pretty city, but quite busy too. No other property has such a park in the middle of it. From my room, I only see palm trees. They are framing the lake and the mountains silhouette. This is the iconic subtropical garden on the shore of lake Lugano  one can see from every single room in Villa Castagnola.

4. Every room is different and follows the light

My suite is all cream tones and has a bordeaux bathroom. I have seen mint green and lila decors somewhere else, so I ask Ivan Zorloni, General Manager of Villa Castagnola, how the decor has been chosen.

Every room or suite is different, because it follows the light. We first entered every single room and studied how the light came in, then decided about decor and position of furniture. We also made sure all rooms have a balcony, and a spectacular view.

He tells me.

It’s November, and he opens the window to let more sun in. The temperature is mild. A banquet is being prepared in the adjacent room, with a never ending table in front of the antique fireplace. I love how the traditional  and modern are mixed.

5 – There’s plenty to do, just around the corner

It takes literally 30 seconds to get out of Villa Castagnola and hop on the picturesque funicolar, which dates back to 1908 and takes you up to Monte Brè. A trip to the past, in full immersion with nature.

The other excursion I do during my stay in Villa Castagnola is Gandria, my favorite trail in Switzerland. I love it because it reminds me of Capri. Every step has a different view, and it oozes romanticism. With its Swiss flags, boat stops and typical restaurants, it also looks quintessentially Swiss.

6. Details are perfect

Every morning, I go to the kitchen and to the laundry, and spend time there, talking and listening to the cooks, room maids and everybody. I make them feel important, because they are. If a bed sheet is not ironed properly, the guest will see it. If a dish is slightly dirty or chipped, it can ruin the presentation of the best food.

Ivan explains to me. And I can exactly see this in the three days I enjoy Villa Castagnola: he knows and interacts with everybody, in a way that encourages people to be themselves and give their best. Service is absolutely perfect, everybody is helping me as soon as I need something.

7. Service is five stars superior, indeed

This part is always what I’m most interested in: at the end, it’s people, who create great hospitality.

And I do test everybody; for example, by asking a special song at the piano bar, or  to take a photo of me with a proper camera, or to help me with my reactive dog and stay out of the way, or to bring my dress upstairs so it doesn’t get wrinkled, or to open up the pool early in the morning, just for me, to film and photograph, or to give me a tasting menu and explain it to me.

At Villa Castagnola, everybody is genuinely pleased to help. The pianist plays my 70s favorite songs, the marketing manager becomes a creative photographer, the ladies in charge of my room leave extra treats for Simba and know how to behave with him, the doorman knows better than me how to carry my dress, the pool is at my disposal before everybody gets in, the chef has taught me some things I have never heard of.

Ivan Zorzoni is the cool host, who knows when to listen, and when to tell you stories. He is a traveler himself, and today is preparing for a trip to Marrakech.

I don’t go anywhere, if there isn’t good food, and a great Spa

He says, smiling, and opening the window, to let the light in, again. This room is made to enjoy the rays of sun. For a moment I close my eyes, feeling the warmth on my skin. I feel it inside: Villa Castagnola, I’ll be back.