Acquarello Swiss Quality Hotel

Switzerland , Lugano
LUGANO, Piazza Cioccaro, 9
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100 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

10 Nov 2025

BOB

perfect, very clean.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

30 Sep 2025

Cathy

No ventilation in room had to keep window open with outside noise. Noisey hallway.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Sep 2025

Ricardo

Great service and place to stay with my family in a lovely city

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Sep 2025

DONALD

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! The best of 6 hotels on my visit to Schys. Attractive, spacious comfortable rooms. Great location , just steps from the funicular to the station. Two min. from hotel to station via funicular! Plenty of restaurants and shops steps away. And Lugano itself is as lovely as advertised. Would I stay again? Absolutely! Ten plus!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Aug 2025

Nicole

Very Close to train and lake

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Aug 2025

Karla

The marketing does not do this place justice! From pictures online, I was skeptical, but the location and quality of this hotel was above my expectations. The room was nice, bed comfy and breakfast abundant! The entrance is hidden behind large plants as the hotel is tucked into a corner at the base of the funicular. No noise problem!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jul 2025

Kayla

Excellent location! When you arrive at the train station, take the funicular down and as soon as you get off turn right- the hotel is in that back corner beside cafe Milano. Rooms were recently renovated, great breakfast, and friendly staff. We would definitely stay here again.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2025

Cheyenne

We stayed here one night with our toddler and it was great, very clean very easy to get too! No great views out the window but that’s totally fine for our over night stay
Staff was friendly and gave us a crib for our toddler and allowed us to turn on the AC unit because with the windows open we had a couple of mosquitos

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

24 Apr 2025

Gojart

Perfect location

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Oct 2024

Jan

Nice Enough

It's a nice enough hotel, right next to the funicular that takes you to the train station. The rooms are quite dated, but the breakfast was nice the service was very good.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

27 Sep 2024

Avis J

The hotel was centrally located with easy access to the waterfront and train station. The cable car runs from the train station and ends near the hotel door.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Sep 2024

Suzanne

Highly recommend

We loved our stay and wish we could have stayed longer. Great location. TIP from Lugano train station: GET on funicular. Exit funicular and immediately make U turn. Hotel is right there at the bottom.
Great restaurants walkable and our favorite breakfast of our trip.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2024

Kevin

Easy walk from the train station to the hotel.
Take the funicular down from the train station and the hotel is immediately on the right. Right in the middle of old town so it was a good location. A decent hotel for the price. The room was small, but definitely adequate for our needs. Staff was super helpful and the breakfast good. The only negative was the sheets were not soft and a bit scratchy.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jul 2024

ajay

Location was best

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jun 2024

Madeleine Elizabeth

Perfect placement in the town, walking distance from the lake and the train station. Very friendly staff and good facilities! Will definitely be coming back

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

02 Jun 2024

Andres

Very good for the price. Very well located.

10/10

Exceptional

23 May 2024

Kim

Wonderful place

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2024

Anna

A Great Find

It was a very pleasant stay. Close to transportation and shops as well as tourist attractions. A very comfortable bed!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Feb 2024

Tae

Great hotel option for staying in Lugano center. The funicular connects the SBB railway station with the city center and funicular station is just 10m away from the hotel entrance.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Nov 2023

peter

Good value for money although rooms a little small. Breakfast very basic

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Oct 2023

Verified traveler

Hotel is located at base of funicular from main train station. Perfect!

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

24 Aug 2023

Verified traveler

Nice

Nice and well located hotel with pleasant staff. The room was not huge and the balcony looked into offices. But it was adequate and I'd stay there again.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

13 Aug 2023

Santo

Very nice hotel at foot of the funicular to the train station.

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jul 2023

David

Transport close to the train station and convenient location in the city.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2023

John Aron

Great hotel in a great location. I appreciated the hotel having 1 standard European power socket as I was unable to find an adaptor for the Swiss socket in Australia. Coffee machine in room & fridge. Was given a free block of Swiss chocolate upon check in which was nice & a Ticino Ticket with free public transport.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jun 2023

Laura

This hotel is next to the furnicular that goes to the train station and also a very easy walk to the lake and shopping. The included breakfast was nice with an assortment of options. The beds were comfortable , the facilities were clean and nicely kept. The staff was friendly and helpful. It was nice to have access to the gym and sauna. We were very happy with this hotel.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

04 May 2023

Robert W

Easy to find, just get off the funicular and walk through adjacent courtyard. Heard the funicular and it sounded to me like a distant jet plane, but it bothered my significant other. Staff was awesome and helpful.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Apr 2023

John

Very convenient location, nice rooms with great shower, super nice and helpful staff, room available for a casual business meeting was perfect, good breakfast, really enjoyed our stay with this hotel

Business

10/10

Exceptional

06 Dec 2022

Richard

It our third trip in Lugano and the third stay at Acquarello. This hotel is located in the centre and staff are always great.

Business Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Sep 2022

STEPHEN

Center of town . Shop and lake close by.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

10 Sep 2022

Filmer Catalino V

Near the train station and the funicular. Clean room. Very helpful front desk team. Breakfast was good.
Cons: I could hear the funicular from my room.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

04 Sep 2022

Verified traveler

Geat stay

My stay was very pleasant. The fromt desk staff were very accommodating and the free bus and train pass was very helpful! Thanks to Joanne who provided great site seeing recommendation. I truly enjoyed my stay!

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Aug 2022

SHANE

Close to rail station but not easy to find. Nice room, nice selection for breakfast. some parts of the hotel are next to a tram line that take people up and down the hill via the train station so the noise is noticeable.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jul 2022

Wesley

Very nice stay and location.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

21 Nov 2021

Frances

Conveniently located

Hotel is conveniently close to the train station and right next to the funicular that runs from train station to city center. Nothing special about this hotel. Needs major renovation.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Oct 2021

Brian

Enjoyed stay

Hotel was perfectly located, very comfortable & was enjoyable stay

Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Sep 2021

Andrew

Comfortable Hotel in good location. Would have liked a fresh bottle of water each day. But otherwise staff very helpful and pleasant.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

14 Sep 2021

Janet

Great location in Lugano.

Communication with the hotel was easy once we booked. They informed us of where to park our car and it was slight reduced parking rate as hotel guest. Breakfast was decent. Great location in Lugano. Staff were friendly and helpful.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

07 Aug 2021

Nino

Lugano solo trip

The place has good reception service. The room is clean and moderately modern. The location is at the center of the city and about 10 min from Lugano station. However, the noise from the funicular can be quite disturbing. If you’re sensitive to noise then you go somewhere else otherwise highly recommended.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

The location could have not been better. Right in the middle of everything in Lugano.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

30 May 2021

Oliver

Well located

well located in Lugano downtown at the reach of many points of interest

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Nov 2020

Jon

Convenient and comfortable

Excellent location directly by public transport and main shopping and dining area. Small breakfast buffet but excellent quality. Check in and out were efficient and easy. Parking is a 3 minute walk from the hotel and the funicular adjacent to the entrance makes arrival by train extremely convenient.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

27 Sep 2020

Verified traveler

Conveniently located hotel for exploring Lugano

The hotel is conveniently positioned in the town centre, near the train station and the lake. The hotel room was comfortable and the breakfast was very tasty with a good selection of products.

The funicular that passes through the hotel building is a fun novelty as well as being very convenient!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Feb 2020

Verified traveler

amazing choice!

Very good option, excellent place in the heart of Lugano! Very good breakfast.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Dec 2019

ryan

Perfect “drop your stuff and go” hotel

Perfect for what it is! Right downtown in the heart of Lugano it is the ideal drop your stuff and go hotel. The staff is friendly, the hotel is clean, and for Lugano, it is a very reasonable price. Ideal for those who want to spend their time exploring Ticino and have a comfortable bed/clean bathroom to return to

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

The location was perfect for us riding the trains.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

12 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

Great service from helpful staff on reception, great location near the lake. Good room facilities and simple but good self serve continental breakfast.

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

24 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

I'm a simple man. It was ok. (amenities top notch, one person at the front desk militaristicaly beaureatocraric) zero flexibility, or willingness to help me solve a problem. (not a huge problem, but I hope you don't encounter one)

8/10

Excellent

22 Aug 2019

ZHENGZHENG

expectaion fufilled

The location of the hotel is just at the station of funicular, which is very convenient for tourist.
The funicular goes through the hotel just under my room on the 3rd floor. Although it is noise, but it is also interesting to seeing outside the window. I am not sensitive when I am sleeping. So it doesn't bother me.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

Excellent stay!

Perfect location! truly Center in Lugano! walking distance to my daughter’s school FUS, good size room, clean, great daily breakfast, friendly, accommodating staff!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

Great. Hospitable and friendly staff. Reasinable rates, chill bar.

10/10

Exceptional

15 Aug 2019

jeffrey

Good clean hotel in the middle of the town. Funicular runs under hotel but it wasn’t that loud

10/10

Exceptional

15 Aug 2019

Richard

It’s centrally located, staff was very helpful and reasonably priced.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2019

Kasey

Nice stay

It’s great
Nice room and good buffet breakfast
However, a bit hot in the room as there was only a small Dyson fan putting on top of the cupboard , not cooling enough

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jul 2019

Kevin

Excellent stay

Great location and extremely friendly staff.

Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

Comfortable

We were there three days. Hotel in a very convenient location. The service was good, the breakfast was good. The hotel was clean and air conditioned the bed was comfortable. I would stay there again.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jul 2019

Alyson

Happy Aussies

Excellent value for money .Location great in the very heart of Lugano , very comfortable and clean Staff were helpful . Close to transport .Tourist card came in very handy The room was noisy being so close to the cable car but it was fine we were able to sleep having had a few beers before going to bed

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

The hotel is ideally located for train travelers next to the Funicular which goes to the main train station in a few minutes. It is also right in the area for restaurants and 5 minutes walk to the lake.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

13 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

location is great, but the funicular going through the building can be very noise in some rooms

8/10

Excellent

02 Jun 2019

Timothy

Go for the hills and lake.

Hotel was good, though not the easiest to find. Reception staff very efficient. Breakfast good too. Room was a good standard, comfortable bed, very good shower.
I would stay there again to hike the local hills.

Friends

6/10

Pleasant

24 May 2019

Lec

The hotel should have striked an excellent review if only it had informed its clients arriving by train to take the cable car to access the hotel, which would be extremely convenience and appreciated.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

16 May 2019

Barbara

Very noisy cable car runs trough the hotel

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 May 2019

RichardB.

The hotel is conveniently located by the train stop. Access to the Lugano Train station very easy. It is also centrally locates to shops, restaurants and lake Lugano. Lastly, Meridian, the lady at the front desk in the afternoons is amazing, very courteous and helpful.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

07 May 2019

Verified traveler

I like it because It’s next to the monorail and the transition from the station to the hotel is excellent. I also like that it’s in the village

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 May 2019

Verified traveler

Amazingly cute little hotel in the centre, so close to everything and despite the noise of the funicular it wasn’t too loud! The staff polite and efficient, we requested an early check in on the day as my partner was not feeling very well, we had our room within an hour and given a travel ticket that gave us free transport and discounts. The breakfast was a good spread and tidy.

Friends_and_family Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Good location in middle of pedestrian zone. Short pleasant walk to destinations and to train station.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

02 Feb 2019

Verified traveler

Perfect location in the heart of Lugano. Room larger than average European hotel. Shower also upgrade from typical.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Nov 2018

Perfectly nice hotel for its pricen and for a short stay.
Good location.

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2018

Larry Bryan

It is literally several steps away from the funicular below the train station. Great location and service

Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Oct 2018

Michael

Great location!

Great hotel and very convenient. Situated in old town and right beneath the funicular that takes you to the central train station.

8/10

Excellent

04 Oct 2018

Dan

Excellent location! Great value for a modest hotel.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

03 Oct 2018

Verified traveler

The location of the hotel is fantastic and it's clean. The downside, they should inform about the cable car noise before you complete the booking (as it's not refundable) and its really loud. The cable car comes and goes every 5 minutes. Staff are like robots, they get the job done, but forget them to be friendly.

6/10

Pleasant

13 Sep 2018

Verified traveler

A bit dated and bathroom too small

While the position is ideal, the hotel would benefit from some renovation.
Especially to increase the size of the bathroom, taking a couple of square meters from the room to make the bathroom bigger would go a long way.

10/10

Exceptional

11 Sep 2018

Galina

Very good

It was very hood

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Sep 2018

Verified traveler

Excellent services and location. Walking distance from supermarkets and restaurants.

2/10

Poor

16 Aug 2018

Aidan

AVOID!!

I booked this hotel for a weekend in Lugano with my wife. Lugano is beautiful and well worth a visit. The low point of our stay was this hotel unfortunately.

We arrived after a long journey to check in. The manager on hearing my name immediately looked up from the computer and told me that only my name was on the booking (an oversight on my part) and that for my wife to stay, I would have to pay an additional 49 Swiss Francs - about 50% the original price I paid for the room.
I explained it was a mistake to have booked the room for one person, and since it was a double room I did not see why I would have to pay a surcharge. The manager didn't care and just said \"it's only 49 Francs\".

I phoned expedia to see if anything could be done, and to their credit, they did their best to try to remedy the situation (they contacted the manager to no avail). I was disappointed to be informed that had I phoned ahead and told the hotel that I had an extra guest, I wouldn't have been charged, which made me feel like I'd been ripped off, probably because I had been.

For the money this hotel ended up costing me, I could have stayed at a decent establishment. The dishonesty, above all, left a very bad taste in my mouth.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Aug 2018

Pali

Nice clean hotel with AC. Good location.

Nice clean hotel with easy access to train station and lake. With AC. Good breakfast. Good bed and pillows.

Signage for the hotel is very poor. One of the restaurants has been asked where the hotel is so many times that he told me where the hotel was before I even said anything to him !!

4/10

Poor

04 Aug 2018

Eriko

NOisy

The sound of monorail keeps on waking me up from 5am every 5-10 minutes, which was tough.

6/10

Pleasant

04 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

Great location. Average service.

The airconditioner didn't work. The reception staff is not very helpful and accommodating.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2018

Marilyn

Would stay again

Can walk to everything.
Very clean

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Jul 2018

Verified traveler

Nice hotel in the old town

Nice hotel, no views in the room we had. Staff were very friendly. Good breakfast great location

8/10

Excellent

26 Jul 2018

Wendy

Perfectly located in the center of Lugano. Friendly staff. Clean rooms and they have AC!

8/10

Excellent

20 Jul 2018

Bijan

Very good hotel in the heart of Lugano city centre

The location is great. Next to the funicular which takes you to the main train station. It is also close to the lake and all the shops you want. The hotel is clean. The staff are very friendly and helpful and speak very good English. The beds were comfortable and the facilities good. The air conditioning worked really well and the fridge was decent with free bottle of water. The rooms have been newly refurbished and are arty and stylish.
The downside is that if you have the A/C off, you will hear the funicular going up and down the city. The noise isn't terrible but if you are a light sleeper, you'll need ear plugs, like I did, or to keep the A/C on like my friends did.
I would stay here again especially for the perfect location.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

27 Jun 2018

Verified traveler

Very nice hotel close to the city centre

Good value for money. The room was clean and spacious, great breakfast selection and great location.

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2018

Verified traveler

Overall easy and convenient, nice place, great staff

8/10

Excellent

27 May 2018

Megan

Great location, terrible shower

Stay here for the location! Extremely convenient to train station. Just take the funicular down and the hotel is right there. Only a few blocks from the lake as well.

The room was clean and basic. First hotel in 7 nights throughout Switzerland we had with AC, but it was the worst shower I think I’ve ever used. So small my husband had to turn the shower head and open the door to lather soap before rinsing off.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 May 2018

Lynn

Great Location

Great location; at the bottom of the funicular that goes from the train station to old town center. Comfortable room,( lots of nighttime noise from outside though)., helpful staff and delicious breakfast

10/10

Exceptional

25 Mar 2018

Verified traveler

Very good stay. I would go again. Very good stayVery good stayVery good stayVery good stay

8/10

Excellent

03 Mar 2018

Simon

Good location

Friendly hotel, Rosa and Mariana were very helpful and always proactive in suggesting things to visits

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2018

Rocco

Good choice in Lugano.

Nice hotel in a good location. Easy access to train station.

8/10

Excellent

19 Dec 2017

Alexander

Meets my needs!

Location is great at an affordable price. The room is functional and the breakfast continental. The hotel gives/promotes passes for free public transport in the Ticino area, which is amazing! The funicular is a little noise and the bed sheets a bit uncomfortable, but overall a good hotel!

6/10

Pleasant

11 Dec 2017

Timotius

Nice hotel close to inclined railway station

Hotel location is close to inclined railway station which is very convenient if you have to catch the SBB train. Room and bathroom was clean. Bathroom was a bit small. Not much space to put your things. Coffee maker was a bit difficult to use and it was leaking. It was noisy because of the hotel close to the railway station so you could hear the train coming up and down every 5 minutes. Breakfast was good, but it could be improved (more variety of foods).

10/10

Exceptional

29 Oct 2017

Robin

Tucked next to the funicular

The hotel literally is next to the last stop on the funicular from the train station. It's located in the center of the pedestrian area with shops and restaurants nearby. It's a short walk to the lake. We had the breakfast which had the usual European cold breakfast food. Our room was a nice size. We were in the back and could hear the funicular but it was not a problem.

8/10

Excellent

26 Oct 2017

Bobby

In the heart of city center!

The hotel staff was very friendly and helpful. Overall, I would recommend this hotel to friends as it is literally in the middle of city center. The hotel itself could use some upgrades, especially in the bathroom areas. However, for the price and the friendliness of the staff, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Acquarello to any of my friends and family.

10/10

Exceptional

16 Oct 2017

Verified traveler

Best Value for Comfort in Lugano

I was very satisfied with my choice to stay here. Great location, good service and amenities for a surprisingly good price

2/10

Poor

14 Oct 2017

Verified traveler

No sleep

Imposible sleeping hard noise in the all rooms imposibke hotel

10/10

Exceptional

10 Oct 2017

Tarsisius alexander

Great place!!

it is great place to stay with majority at walking distance.Nice room and big enough.Unfortunaly, the tram is neede to pay for going up to train station which walks up and down is really challenging.Also, providing us coffee machine with different plug as well kitchen with no tools for cooking , than the last one is only one glass provided.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2017

Sandy

Great Hotel

Good location, staff and accommodations. Close to most attractions.

8/10

Excellent

12 Sep 2017

Hazel

Very centrally situated hotel close to waterfront.

It was a nightmare trying to find the hotel at night without sat nav. We circled Lugano several times and had to ask three groups of people where the square was. Lugano difficult to navigate as full of one way systems and no places to stop at roadside.Some advice about hotel parking/ using car parks would help. No complaints about the hotel and the funicular railway did not waken us.

6/10

Pleasant

11 Jul 2017

Mariella

Good for the price...

Room was small but OK for one person ... Air conditioning was great and the breakfast plenty and tasteful. The staff very friendly and helpful. Location was prime since was a short walk from the Lake, shops, restaurants and the train station funicular stopped literally at the hotel door. Altogether not bad at all!