Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Prime location in the old-town quarter and shopping district of the city centre and on the lake-promenade.Historical Downtown Hotel with extended facilities such as private garage parking, lobby-bar, garden with swimming-pool and WiFi Internet. A variety of restaurants, pizzerias and typical bars are located close to the hotel.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is officially classified according to Hotelstars Union standards.
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
City View
Languages Spoken
English, French, German, Italian
Location
Via Nassa 68, Lugano 6900 Switzerland
Name/address in local language
Hotel International Au Lac - Historic & Lakeside
953 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Nestled in a prime lakeside spot, Hotel International Au Lac has been lauded by many travelers for its blend of historical charm and modern amenities. The hotel's rooms, noted for their comfort and cleanliness, provide picturesque views, though some guests suggest they are on the smaller side. The service receives high marks for professionalism and friendliness, contributing significantly to the guest experience.
While the hotel's amenities, including the honesty bar and pool, are popular, a few guests have mentioned a lack of certain room features. Overall, the central location and inviting atmosphere make it a well-regarded destination.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Helpful
Amenities
Well-appointed
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Detailed Reviews
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The hotel is in a splendid position, from which it is possible to visit Lugano on foot and reach the entire Canton of Ticino (the hotel offered us guests a free ticket to travel on all public transport throughout the Canton of Ticino). The hotel wanted to maintain some traditional features and may give the impression of a somewhat vintage structure: the rooms are traditional, but comfortable and clean. It is very striking that an entire wing of the first floor has been dedicated to guests, instead of being transformed into other rooms, as usually happens in many modern hotels. Guests can sit in a reading room or the Honesty Bar's great room to talk, read or meet friends. Breakfast is served in two rooms, one of which is immense and offers an excellent buffet breakfast, traditional, vegetarian, American, continental, gluten-free products, local cheeses, vast choice of fresh seasonal fruit, excellent choice of dried fruit, etc. . etc. No queues in front of the dishes given the vastness of the offers. The staff is very kind, always ready to collaborate without being intrusive. In short, this time Lugano seemed even more beautiful to us.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A classic older, but renovated hotel that is located central to many shops, lake activities, and the train station.
We stayed in a "family" accommodating room for 5 of us. Very comfortable beds, exceptionally large and updated bath/shower rooms (one with nighttime star ceiling lighting), and large enough to allow us to spread out.
Breakfast is served in a very large and nicely decorate/organized central seating area but there are two smaller rooms where you can sit with only a few tables. The food ranges from fresh breads/pastries to hot dishes (eggs, bacon, sausages) to cold meats, cheeses, yogurt/muesli, and fruits - all very fresh. Coffee is brought to the tables along with hot milk. One of the best breakfasts we've seen in moderately priced hotels.
The hotel has a heated pool, games area, and lounge area with free coffee (and small balcony with seating that looks over the main walking path along the lake).
Staff was helpful and spoke English and several other languages. Check out was quick and accurate.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The Hotel International au Lac is a traditional hotel in Lugano in a prime location on the noble via Nassa with a beautiful view of Lake Lugano. The hotel will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. The room we had was beautifully furnished and the bed was very comfortable. The bathroom is newly renovated and very high quality! Breakfast is served in a beautiful dining room and the buffet is very extensive and with high-quality products from the region. On the first floor there is a bar where you can serve yourself and comfortable lounge seats invite you to linger. The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful! The stay was wonderful!
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We arrived in a group. The hotel is very centrally located for visiting the city and most of the sights. Ships and public transport are in the immediate vicinity. The hotel is very clean and the staff are courteous and very friendly. The self-service concept in the bar, which is always open, is very pleasant. As we were travelling in a group, most of the rooms were very small and in dire need of renovation, which is apparently currently taking place. We chose a higher room category for a very respectable and hefty surcharge of CHF 540 per week. Unfortunately, we only had a wardrobe of around 1 m. The wardrobe also contained a fridge, a safe and a kettle, so there was little storage space left. Despite reporting this to the management several times, nothing happened and no financial compensation was received. Groups are served a meal in the evening, but unfortunately it is not freshly prepared, but warmed up. The breakfast buffet is, however, plentiful and varied. Unfortunately, fried eggs cost an additional charge.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I enjoyed staying two nights at this beautiful hotel. Our room 337 was exceptional overlooking like Lugano.… Just beautiful! There was a little balcony, perfect for evenings with a bottle of wine. The beds were comfortable and our room had the largest shower I have ever experienced in Europe. The beds were comfortable and the room had automatic shades that came down with the press of a button so it would be completely dark in our room. It was still quite warm and humid outside so the air conditioning in the room was bonus. The establishment offers free breakfast, which had quite a variety, and I really pretty pool area which we definitely took advantage of. Isabella at the front desk was especially helpful and we really appreciated her help with some of our questions. If you are ever in Lugano, this is definitely a place we would return to.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The location of the hotel is unbeatable. The friendliness of the staff is impressive. Five points for both. The beds are a bit creaky and because the rooms are very noisy you can hear them from the room next door. This deducts a little, although the lack of soundproofing is due to the hotel's history, which is justified. In my opinion, the price-performance ratio is good. The breakfast has very good bread and the service is very friendly. The food is sufficient and of good quality (veal sausages, gratinated tomatoes, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, mortadella, bresaola, one or two types of cheese, muesli, yoghurts, croissants, etc.). The coffee is three out of five points. The room cleaners get five points for cleanliness and friendliness. The fact that a hotel like the Internationale is still family-run is impressive and deserves five points.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My experience mirrored exactly what was advertised in their photos. The highlight of the stay was undoubtedly the breathtaking views of the lake from the balcony. While some areas of the hotel could benefit from a refurbishment, particularly the parts with carpeting, the overall experience was elevated by the stunning vistas, prime location, and the warmth of the staff.
One of the conveniences was the underground hotel car park, allowing for easy access right outside the hotel entrance. The seamless check-in process, where they didn't even require my credit card, was a pleasant surprise. The presence of an honesty bar added a charming touch, and I particularly enjoyed indulging in some wine there.
The hotel's location is another major plus, with restaurants, shops, and cafes just a one minute walk away. Additionally, the beautiful walk across the road, spanning from one end to the other, provided a picturesque experience.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and would recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a blend of stunning views, convenient amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere in Lugano.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at Hotel International au Lac exceeded our expectations. As hesitant travelers due to selectiveness of accommodations, we wish we could experience the service and cleanliness of Hotel International au Lac everywhere! The staff were professional & helpful, and the location couldn’t be better for enjoying the Via Nassa and lake. The hotel common areas, amenities, and room were impeccable. The Hotel International au Lac embodies old world charm but meets modern accommodations. We would gladly stay again and it should be your first choice of stay when traveling Lugano!
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel was excellent. It is very tasteful and steeped in history. Our room was characterful in every respect. Breakfast was very good. The "honesty" bar is also a helpful feature and the prices very reasonable. One particular touch deserves special mention. I originally paid in full in 2020 for a non-refundable booking. When covid came, as far as I was concerned, that was that and I had lost my money - I had paid the cheaper, non-refundable, price. However, the hotel insisted on holding over the amount towards a later stay. When we could not go in 2021 or 2022, they honoured it for this year. And they kept writing to remind us once every six months or so. It is rare to have such personal service going above and so far beyond what is necessary. The position of the hotel near the lake is also outstanding.
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Always great. We had the corner room on the 4th floor, and every morning we woke up to a fantastic view. A few things have also been improved: there are now doors between the rooms, which makes family stays very pleasant. There are plenty of sockets, and there's also a USB port for your cell phone.
But we still preferred the classics: great rooms, great bathrooms, great ambience, a fantastic terrace/garden/pool area, and the location on Via Nassa.
We could spend whole days on the terrace, it's so beautifully designed. The only thing that could do with replacing the chess pieces is that the chess pieces. ;-)
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheltenham, United Kingdom60 contributions83 helpful votes
Book on the hotel website directly and you can choose renovayed rooms. Priced well versus price comparison websites. We stayed in a renovated room a few months ago and it was brilliant
Hi Maldoc,
please visit our Official Web-Site -> Directions &Location, where you will find all information concerning the funicular and the arrival of Bernina Express.
Cheers from Lugano, Roberto
Hi Bruce,
Ticino Ticket will be haded out upon check-in at the hotel and after completing registration. Your reservation is NOT valid for free transportation.
The train station is around 800 m from the hotel; for guests who are travelling light, our hotel is a pleasant 10- to 15-minute stroll away through the old town. (downhill as the station is up and we are located along the lake)
If travelling with luggage and as an alternative to the taxis on stand-by 24 hrs, we recommend taking bus number 4 from outside the station towards "Lugano-Centro" to the stop "Piazza Luini", which is right in front of the hotel; travel time is around 6 minutes. The cost i currently CHF 2,20 pax/ride
The "funicolare" (cable railway) takes you from the train station to the city centre (Piazza Cioccaro). From there walk through the old town, along Via Pessina and Via Nassa, to reach our hotel in just 5 minutes. The cost is currently CHF 1.30 pax/ride
We are looking forward to welcoming you soon in Lugano - have a safe journey.
Roberto
The train station is around 800 m from the hotel; for guests who are travelling light, our hotel is a pleasant 10- to 15-minute stroll away through the old town.
If you prefer public transport, we recommend taking bus number 4 from outside the station towards "Lugano-Centro" to the stop "Piazza Luini", which is right in front of the hotel; travel time is around 6 minutes.
The "funicolare" (cable railway) takes you from the train station to the city centre (Piazza Cioccaro). From there walk through the old town, along Via Pessina and Via Nassa, to reach our hotel in just 5 minutes.
Double Classic, with lateral view rooms are : Sunlit Double Classic rooms, overlooking the Santa Maria degli Angioli Church, the restored monastery cloister and with a glimpse of the lake. Twin or a queen bed, bath/shower and WC and mostly with elegant parquet floor.
Make sure you get the best price and conditions and book directly with our hotel. Google for our official Intenet-site.
Hello ikemod,
thanks a lot for your message about our hotel. Yes, we have a lift to all 5 floors and our rooms of the category "Chic with balcony" have a walk in shower. No elevator for the garden and swimmingpool area.
Looking forward to welcoming your parents at the Hotel International au Lac, we remain
with best regards from Lugano.
Roberto Schmid
Hotel International au Lac, Lugano
Fam. Schmid, propr. dir.
Caldwell, New Jersey174 contributions71 helpful votes
"Find the funicular at the main train station for an easy ride into town with luggage. If you intend to walk up or down to the train station pack lightly!"
There are more places to choose from in the Lugano area.
PRICE RANGE
C$274 - C$396 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
international au lac lugano, international au lac hotel
LOCATION
SwitzerlandSwiss AlpsCanton of TicinoLugano
NUMBER OF ROOMS
80
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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