Luxury hotel holiday Villa Principe Leopoldo Lugano

The five-star Villa Principe Leopoldo is an elegant and refined hotel in a pristine location atop the Collina d’Ora, which affords it unbeatable views of Lugano and the lake. The Villa was built at the end of the 19th century and has been host to many important historical figures throughout its lifetime. Today, the hotel offers 37 comfortable suites all with balcony, a gourmet restaurant with an impressive wine list, an outdoor swimming pool and a small spa.
Included in your Expressions holiday
  • Accommodation in a double or twin room on bed and breakfast
  • Fly-rail with scheduled flights and rail tickets
  • Rail travel from London back to London as option
  • Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
  • Optional room, rail and flight upgrades. Details on request.

Luxury bespoke holidays to the Villa Principe Leopoldo, Lugano

The Villa Principe Leopoldo in Lugano is an elegant, historic hotel set on a hill above the city of Lugano. 37 suites, restaurant, two outdoor pools, winter garden, piano bar, spa.

Facts in brief

Official star rating 5

Location About 2km outside Lugano, on Collina d’Ora.

Annual opening All year

Closest airport Milan Malpensa

Distance from airport Around 1hr 30 minutes by train

Closest railway station Lugano

Distance from railway station Around 6 minutes by car

Hotel facilities and services

Restaurant, piano bar, winter garden, two outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness room, sauna, spa, laundry service, car rental.

Complimentary

Wi-Fi, Free outdoor parking, E-bikes for adults, Shuttle service to/from train station and city centre.

Land sports

Tennis, complimentary E-bikes available upon request

Out and about nearby

Lake Lugano marks the Swiss-Italian border, and bends round to touch the town of Lugano on two sides. As a result, this entirely unique land and water formation provides spectacular views and diverse walking routes. The Monte San Salvatore and Monte Bré are best for hiking and seeking out the high-up vantage points and natural forested beauty spots. Across the lake, and on the Italian border, is Sighignola Mountain, which enables you to look back across the town. Within Lugano, pay a visit to the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, which sits at the very top of the gently stepped Via Cattedrale. This Roman Catholic cathedral was founded in the Middle Ages, but was rebuilt at the end of the 15th century. Its picturesque tower rises up above the town, and is crowned by a distinctive green dome. The pink-fronted Museum of Cultures sits on the waterside, and gives visitors a step-by-step insight into Swiss cultural history.

Sports nearby

Water sports on Lake Lugano; Walking, Hiking, and Cycling in the nearby mountains and valleys.

Special offers for this holiday>

Thank you. We had an amazing holiday. Really appreciate the work put in to give us the trip of a lifetime!
Mrs H, Jan 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Deluxe junior suite for 5 nights

From about

£1,760

Holiday Code EXH995

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays to the Villa Principe Leopoldo, Lugano

Room descriptions

The Villa Principe Leopoldo has 37 suites with free Wi-Fi, cable and satellite TV, radio, safe, minibar, desk and air-conditioning. All rooms have a balcony.

Deluxe junior suite with balcony 45 sqm
Deluxe one bedroom suite with balcony 60 sqm
Panorama one bedroom suite lake view 60 sqm
Princess garden suite 75 sqm
Signature lake suite 130 sqm

Special offers for this holiday>

Thank you. We had an amazing holiday. Really appreciate the work put in to give us the trip of a lifetime!
Mrs H, Jan 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Deluxe junior suite for 5 nights

From about

£1,760

Holiday Code EXH995

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays to the Villa Principe Leopoldo, Lugano

The journey and how you get there

For a holiday to the Villa Principe Leopoldo, Lugano, we include a scheduled flight from London to Milan Malpensa. From Milan to Lugano it takes about 1hr 40 minutes by train. We will arrange for the hotel to provide a complimentary shuttle transfer from Lugano train station.

Additional information

Children: Children up to 8 years old on Bed and Breakfast stay free of charge when sharing the room with their parents.

Special offers

3 Nights Booking Offer Stay 3 nights and receive 10% reduction off our contracted rates. Restrictions apply

5 Nights Booking Offer Stay 5 nights and receive 15% reduction off our contracted rates. Restrictions apply.

Thank you. We had an amazing holiday. Really appreciate the work put in to give us the trip of a lifetime!
Mrs H, Jan 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Deluxe junior suite for 5 nights

From about

£1,760

Holiday Code EXH995

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays to the Villa Principe Leopoldo, Lugano

Highlights of Ticino

Two of the main cities in Ticino lie quite close together in the south of the region: Locarno and Lugano. On the banks of Lake Maggiore, Locarno is rich with cultural treasure. Visit the 17th century Church of St Anthony, the 16th century Church of San Francesco, the mid-17th century New Church, or the late 15th century Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso to begin your tour of Locarno's beautiful and historic sites. Perhaps most noteworthy, however, is the Visconti Castle, in which there is a permanent exhibition of Roman glass. On Thursdays a market is held in the centre of the town, which always makes for an excellent place to enjoy Locarno at its liveliest, as well as to pick up a few delicacies. Venture outside Locarno to climb the Cadada Cimetta, from the top of which you can see both the Valais High Alps and Lake Maggiore, the highest and lowest points in Switzerland. Follow the paths of the Magic Valley or the Verzasca Valley to witness the turquoise-green, crystal-clear waters that flow there. For a more leisurely day out, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Maggiore. As you leave Locarno and head west down the valley towards Italy, you will see the rocky gorges that prove so popular with cliff divers. Eerie tunnels and caverns have been carved out over time, providing ethereal little spots to stop off on your travels.

Cultural highlights of Ticino

East of Locarno is Bellinzona, a town remarkable in that it is the most Italianate town in Switzerland and capital of Ticino. The central medieval castle and its two neighbours are among Switzerland's best preserved, coming together to form a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ramparts of the central castle run alongside the vineyards within, with lush grass carpeting the fortified walls. North of Locarno, you will come across Tegna, the site of some interesting prehistoric ruins. Continue along this route towards the Italian border on the Centovalli Express to discover the old wine press in the village of Cavigliano, the museum and cableway in Intragna, the cable car up to the solitary, traffic-free hamlet of Rasa from Verdasio, and finally, across the Italian border to Re, where the stunning, yet imposing, Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Blood stands on the very edge of a dramatic cliff. In eastern Ticino is Biasca, a town where a waterfall cascades down the mountainsides, under bridges and over rocks that have been smoothed by time. Towns and villages such as Airolo, Lavizzara, Acquarossa, Blenio, and Brione all offer alternative views on this beautiful region. Any visit to Ticino is incomplete without a few hours spent in Lugano. Famous for its eponymous lake, San Salvatore Mountain, and Monte Bre, Lugano is a quintessentially ‘Ticino’ town. Take the funicular railway from Casserate as high as possible up Monte Bre to witness the phenomenal panoramas and enjoy the traditional Swiss rail experience.

Festivals in Ticino

As with much of Switzerland, there is a high focus on dairy products in both the regional dishes and their self-identification. To appreciate Swiss dairy products in Ticino, head to Ambri Quinto in the Leventina Valley at the end of September to enjoy the Agriculture and Cheese Fair. The first weekend in October brings with it a celebration of autumn. In Lugano, this autumn festival focuses on local products, folkloric music, and small dramatic shows. In Ascona, the autumn festival celebrates the versatile chestnut, with jams, cakes, cheese dishes, and entertaining concerts. Ascona's unique carnival is celebrated on Mardi Gras on the lake promenade. In Muralto on the second Sunday of March there is a fish festival beside the water, involving a fishing contest, music, games, and food stalls. Beside the smooth rocks of Solduno, on St Joseph's Day in March, the streets are filled with the smell of the speciality Tortelli, a fritter whose recipe is strictly guarded.

Gastronomy in Ticino

The varied and delicious specialities of Ticino may very well be the highlight of your trip, influenced by hearty Swiss cuisine, as well as Italy's Mediterranean flavours. One particular feature of dining here are the ‘grotto' restaurants. Usually housed in picturesque stone farmhouses, with abundant flower boxes, shuttered windows, and vast terraces canopied by views on which customers eat fresh, home-cooked food. Popular so-called ‘slow foods' include farina bona flour, cicitt sausages, Zincarlin cheese and shortbread biscuits. At the heart of many dishes you may come across are polenta and Merlot wine, which can also be sampled at a local winery. Originally cooked in a large cauldron like porridge, polenta is now best served alongside braised beef. Before leaving Switzerland, ensure you sample some of the world-famous fondue.

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