Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano
Lugano
Set directly on the shores of Lake Lugano, Hotel Splendide Royal is one of Switzerland’s classic grand hotels, combining Belle Époque charm with refined five-star comfort. Opened in 1887, the hotel has a long-standing reputation for elegant hospitality, lake views and old-world character, while still offering the modern facilities expected from a luxury stay.
Rooms and suites are traditionally styled, with many overlooking Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains. Guests can enjoy refined dining, including I Due Sud, alongside the hotel’s spa and wellness facilities, indoor pool and lakeside setting. The location is a real strength: close enough to walk into Lugano’s centre, Via Nassa shopping district and lakefront promenade, but still calm and scenic.
For golfers, Hotel Splendide Royal works beautifully as a luxury base for exploring Ticino and northern Italy golf options. It is ideal for those who want to combine golf with lake views, Swiss-Italian culture, relaxed dining and a polished city-resort atmosphere rather than a pure golf resort stay.
Lugano Airport
5km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
Time Zone:
GMT+1
Currency:
CHF (Swiss Franc)
Temperature:
2°C - 33°C
Cost of a Beer:
£8.50
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£70
Hashtag Guide
About The Area
Ticino is Switzerland with a proper Mediterranean twist — lakes, palms, piazzas, mountain views and Italian-speaking charm all rolled into one. Sitting south of the Alps and bordering Italy, it feels warmer and softer than many Swiss golf regions, making it a brilliant choice for golfers who want Swiss course quality with a more relaxed, lakeside atmosphere.
The region has three main 18-hole golf clubs: Golf Club Lugano, Golf Club Patriziale Ascona and Golf Gerre Losone. Ticino Tourism describes all three as technical, well-maintained courses, helped by the region’s mild, sunny climate, while Switzerland Tourism also highlights Ticino’s lakes, mountains, palms and Mediterranean-like climate as key reasons it works so well for golf.
Golf Club Lugano, near Magliaso, is a compact but demanding course where water, mature trees and narrow fairways place a premium on accuracy. Around Lake Maggiore, Golf Club Patriziale Ascona offers one of Switzerland’s most attractive and traditional layouts, with a flat but technical design framed by mature trees. Golf Gerre Losone adds further variety, with strong practice facilities, a driving range, putting greens and academy options, making it useful for both serious golfers and those looking to sharpen up between rounds.
Golf in Ticino is best from April to October, although the milder climate means courses can often remain playable beyond the usual Swiss season.
Off the course, Ticino is made for slow, stylish travel. Lugano offers lakefront dining and mountain viewpoints, Ascona brings colourful lakeside charm, and Locarno adds piazzas, festivals and Lake Maggiore scenery. Bellinzona’s castles, boat trips, valley drives and Italian-influenced food all add to the appeal.
For golfers seeking polished Swiss courses, warmer weather, lake views and a relaxed southern atmosphere, Ticino delivers one of Switzerland’s most enjoyable and distinctive golf escapes.
