Lake Lugano offers plenty of independent hotels, but one family has put an unusual personal stamp on the traditional waterfront escape.
Morning light shimmered across the lake, framed by towering Alpine peaks. Palm trees punctuated the promenade, their swaying fronds lending a Mediterranean touch to the Alpine landscape.
Over breakfast at Hotel Riviera, Sarah could hardly tear her eyes from the view. No photograph could do justice to the lake’s magic. She had to experience it for herself.
Nearby, songbirds swooped between tables for pastry crumbs as waitstaff served breakfast.
But the view was only the beginning. Inside, the hotel revealed a world shaped by creativity, culture and travel.
Each floor reflected a different influence, weaving together ideas gathered from places near and far.
It all began with one man’s journeys around the world
Gian Luchina inherited the hotel from his parents. Over decades of travelling, he began bringing his experiences home – not as souvenirs, but as ideas for the rooms.
Sense of Place, Sense of Journey
The inspiration behind the themed floors was both personal and geographical.
Gian explained that the Mediterranean theme on the first floor reflected the hotel’s location in Ticino, Switzerland, its close proximity to Italy and his family heritage.
“Sergio Luchina, my father was from Valtellina in Italy.”
The second floor drew on a different source of inspiration: his many travels throughout Asia.
“I’ve been to many countries and always found myself warmly welcomed by friendly locals, beautiful settings, and, of course, delicious food!”
“These are all things that, to me, make for a memorable and successful journey, and, therefore, it is what we strive to achieve with every guest that comes through our front door.
Not every floor, however, had a story rooted in personal experience. The third floor took a contemporary approach, featuring modern rooms for guests who preferred a more conventional style.
The fourth floor mirrors the setting through a nautical aesthetic. Nestled on the shores of Lake Lugano, the hotel seemed a natural fit for a theme incorporating water elements, Gian shared.
The hotel evolved as Gian travelled. And guests noticed.
Its distinct design, consistent quality service and warm family hospitality, has sustained the hotel’s appeal for decades.
While Lake Lugano frames the arrival, the interior design holds the memorable discovery
Maintaining these different themes, however, requires considerable upkeep. Gian noted that every floor has its own furnishings and details making it challenging “to remember all the different nuances.”
Yet it brings its own rewards. As he explained. “It’s nice to offer the different themes as returning guests can receive a new and different experience each time they come to visit.”
“When a family or group come to visit it is nice for them to compare and discuss the differences they received.”
Heritage on the Plate, Craft in the Glass
That shared exchange doesn’t stop at the guest room door. Gian’s desire to give guests a distinct, conversational experience extends directly to the dining room.
Here, the menu features a curated selection of regional specialties.
Piccata alla Ticinese con risotto: This house favourite pairs golden, savoury crusted pork with zesty Italian brightness, served alongside creamy, vibrant Risotto Ticinese (saffron risotto).
Pork loin delivers a richer, juicier flavour than veal, said Gian’s son, Moreno. With over 50,000 portions sold, this dish has become a true destination plate. Guests drive over two hours each way just to experience this lunch, he added.
Filetto di luccio perca, Ceresio: A light entree that features freshly caught Lake Lugano pike-perch (zander), pan-seared, basted in sage butter, served with rice and vegetables.
Tortellini al burro e salvia: A classic Northern Italian dish of fresh egg pasta parcels stuffed with ricotta and spinach tossed in sage-infused butter, showered with nutty Parmesan. This rustic daily special leaves you craving for more.
The Italian heritage flows from plate to glass. The beverage menu features traditional grappa (Italian brandy) sourced from the hotel’s garden grapes.
As a guest chef, Tony Leung was fortunate to learn the pomace fermentation craft directly from the late Sergio. “Making grappe and wine was his hobby,” Tony added.
He shared how Sergio mixed the October harvested grapes two or three times daily for a week in the basement. Then, an offsite distiller processed the leftover grape skins (pomace) into smooth grappa.
Legacy Meets Innovation
This deep devotion to heritage shapes the hotel’s future just as much as its culinary experience. Moreno shared that the hotel and guest services were built on decades of sacrifices by his father and grandparents (Nonni).
“We are profoundly grateful and proud of our family-run hotel.” “There is always room for improvement and we want to make our father and our Nonni proud!”
Having joined the business three years ago, he and his brother, Julian have taken the helm to elevate it to new heights, phasing air condition installation across each room.
Powered by an eco-friendly system connected to Lake Lugano, guests enjoy total, sustainable control over their heating and cooling year-round.
They also plan to upgrade room amenities, redesign the breakfast area, and add a booking platform to their website.
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Melide: Gateway to Scenic Lake Lugano
This charming village near the Swiss-Italian border pairs seamless transit connectivity with a dolce vita escape on Lake Lugano.
Hotel Riviera located in Melide serves as an ideal base to explore Lake Lugano’s stunning shore promenades and villages.
Guests can enjoy a 12 to 13 kilometres stroll from Melide to Bissone, Campione d’Italia, Maroggia and Capolago. On the return, hop on a train.
For an exciting escapade, take a train or boat to Paradiso and ride the Monte San Salvatore funicular for 360-degrees alpine vistas.
Then, trek the cliff-hugging Sentiero dell’Olivo trail into the romantic stone alleys of Gandria. Cruise to the Swiss Customs Museum before sailing back to Melide.
Alternatively, hike from Melide through the historic forests of artistic Carona and the alpine pastures of Alpe Vicania. Savour a leisure lunch, then descend colossal stone steps straight into lakeside Morcote.
Or embark on a scenic train and ferry ride to experience the best of Lake Como towns of Bellagio and Varenna for the day.
Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant drew Sarah’s visit to a close.
Across the lake, Alpine peaks faded into the evening silhouette, reminding her why the view had to be experienced firsthand.
Yet the lake tells only part of the story. Gian’s parents built the business from the ground up. He created the hotel’s design, drawing on decades of travel and the surrounding landscape.
Now, the next generation carries the family legacy forward, building on the heritage and hospitality that have defined the business, beside the lake that has witnessed it all.
