The hotel opened in 1902 at the south end of city, next to the lake and on the grounds of the Villa Merlina, a 19th century bungalow known (1887) for its astonishing terraces. The proprietors, the Fedele family enlarged the existing structure and opened a 125-bed hotel, initially called the Hotel Splendide. The hotel shortly gained a steady clientele amongst the rich Europeans who frequented this summer resort. In 1977 an Italian hotel company bought the hotel from the Fedele family and in 1983 they added a recent wing with 53 visitor apartments. Today it's known as Lugano's foremost hotel, with 96 visitor suites and a personnel of 100 employees who give meticulous personal facilities. The hotel inspires loyalty amongst its customers, more than half the customers here are usually repeat clients.

The influence of Italian culture is entirely dominant in the town of Lugano, sitting on the shore of Lago di Lugano just across the lake from Italy. The district is now the biggest resort in the Swiss canton of Ticino, in addition to Switzerland's third-largest banking heart.

24 hrs prior to arrival The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Kids up to 6 years sharing their parents apartment are free. There is an supplementary charged for kids from seven to 12 years sharing their parents suite: CHF 50 per day (2007).