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About
4.5
#6 of 40 hotels in Lugano
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Family run since 1923, located near train station and bus terminal to Tirano, Milano, Bernina Express and Palm Express. Single, double, triple, four bedded rooms and familiy rooms with connecting door as well. Restaurant with terrace. Underground parking (for a fee). Free WiFi. In old city center of Lugano, but on a hill. Free Ticino Ticket for all guest staying with us for at least 1 night. Ticino Ticket allows for free transportation on all public transport (busses and trains) in the whole region of Canton Ticino and 30% discount on mountain rides and touristic attractions.
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
Mid-range
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English, French, German, Italian
Location
Via Paolo Regazzoni, 8, Lugano 6900 Switzerland
Name/address in local language
Hotel Federale
441 reviews
Getting there
Great 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.
I spent three months here, for a business trip. Since the first day I felt like in a big family.
I want to review the staff first, EVERYONE is so polite, available for every necessity at all the hours of the day; the customer care encreases every day.
The restaurant, San Lorenzo it’s really comfortable, you can eat good dishes and it is not expensive as you could think in Lugano. Top quality in every single think.
Rooms are very very clean and the view from the last 2 floors is amazing, you can see all the lake.
I’d choose this hotel other 1000 times!
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Date of stay: May 2020Trip 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.
Response from Roland Galliker, Owner at Hotel Federale
Responded Mar 19, 2021
Dear AugustoGST thank you very much for your review here on Tripadvisor. We are very happy to read that we could be of help to you during the past few months you had to spend in Lugano due to Corona emergency. We hope that by now all is fine again and we would be pleased to welcoming you back to Lugano as soon as sanitary situation gets better and travel easier. With kindest regards Roland Galliker, Owner
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We visited Lugano and the Ticino canton September 26-30, 2019. This was our first time to the Italian area of Switzerland and we were not disappointed. We chose Hotel Federale due to positive reviews and close proximity to the train station (we spent a month in Switzerland traveling by train).
Our room was very large – even by American standards. We had a view of the city and the breathtaking lake. The room was clean and the bathroom was large. The continental breakfast was plentiful and service was good. We had one dinner in the dining room and the food was delicious.
Lugano is a very hilly town. The hotel provides you with a pass that gives you free access to the funicular which helps at the end of the day when walking back up to the hotel. We were able to use our Swiss Travel Flex Pass for a couple of boat rides on Lake Lugano (one to gorgeous Morcote and one to Melide to see the Swissminiatur (Fun!).
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Date of stay: September 2019
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
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.
Response from RGalliker, Owner at Hotel Federale
Responded Jun 5, 2020
Dear Time2GoNow thank you very much for having stayed at our Hotel Federale in Lugano and we are very pleased that you enjoyed your time with us and in the region of Canton Ticino. Ticino Ticket (pass to free access to travel) is very convenient indeed for free travel and discovery of the region South of the Alps. It also provides discounts of up to 30% on most tourist attractions. We hope it was not your last trip to Canton Ticino and we would be very proud if you would choose our Hotel again when next time traveling South of the Alps. With kindest regards Roland Galliker and Staff
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We booked a superior room with balcony which was worth the additional price. The room was spacious and clean. The bed was comfortable. The chairs in the room could have been more comfortable but we spent most of our time on the balcony and those chairs were very relaxing. The balcony was magical with great views of Lugano and the lake. The included breakfast was very good. The front desk and restaurant staff were outstanding. We had some difficulty finding the hotel but locals were helpful in getting us back on track. The hotel is near the train station but there is about three long flights of stairs to go down on arrival. When going to the train station you can have the funicular stop on request to avoid walking up the stairs. We had dinner three times at the hotel. What a pleasant surprise. The patio was charming and the food was a very high quality and beautifully presented. In addition to the regular menu, they offer a daily four course meal for a very reasonable price.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Book superior room with balcony and definitely have dinner at hotel
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.
Response from Roland Galliker, Owner at Hotel Federale
Responded Jan 19, 2023
Dear Traveler376 Thank you for your time in writing your experience at our Hotel Federale Lugano. We are very happy to read that you enjoyed your stay and, sincerely, text is so well written that I do not know how to better describe our hotel and services. We hope to be able to welcoming you back some day in Lugano, and remain, Yours sincerely Roland Galliker and staff
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The Federale is a classic 3* old style Swiss hotel offering quality and professional service as well as being in the perfect location for visiting Lugano - a short walk down from the railway station/and to the centre of Lugano. This family run hotel offers excellent price/quality value - it is spotlessly clean, staff are friendly, and breakfast/dinner is served either in the garden or dining room. Standard double rooms are relatively small and a bit old fashioned but perfectly adequate and some with nice balcony/terraces. Overall a really nice place to stay in Lugano and recommended.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
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 had an overnight stay in Lugano before we caught the Bernina Express and chose this hotel because of the proximity to the train station. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a very friendly front desk staff. The rooms were nice and not only was it convenient to the train station, it was a 5 - 10 minute walk to the main part of Lugano and the lake. We also had a lovely dinner at the restaurant. We were very pleased with our choice of this hotel and would stay there again if ever in Lugano!
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Location
Service
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.
Response from Roland Galliker, Owner at Hotel Federale
Responded Jan 18, 2023
Dear Blueyedtravler89 Thank you very much for you visiting our Hotel Federale on your journey along Bernina Express and for taking time in writing a review. We are pleased to read that you enjoyed your stay and that you mentioned the short walking distance from Lugano train station and city center with its lake. Dinner at our Restaurant is possible every day from March to mid-December and we are happy that you enjoyed a lovely dinner. Looking forward to maybe welcoming you back to Lugano, we remain, With kindest regards Roland Galliker and staff
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This was a reassuring, well appointed hotel. Excellent breakfast, a small bar but with lovely drinks. So close to the station (but you wouldn't know you are!) so only 2 mins walk to get the train but also only 2 mins walk into the centre of the old town. This hotel has fantastic service and we were particularly grateful to the Night Manager Guissepie (sorry if we have your name wrong), who made us a snack late at night and gave us some fantastic advice about the area.
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Date of stay: September 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.
Response from Roland Galliker, Owner at Hotel Federale
Responded Mar 2, 2024
Dear 567jack thank you very much for having stayed at our hotel Federale in Lugano and for the detailed information about our location which greatly helps future guests Giuseppe: we still believe that a night manager makes the difference between a self check-in hotel and a regular hotel. In our opinion human contact is still important in a hotel experience and we will continue having staff 24/7. We have passed your compliments to Giuseppe. We hope to be able to be welcoming you back to the region of Lugano some day, and remain, with kindest regards Roland Galliker and team
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We very much enjoyed our two night stay at the Hotel Federale. The hotel is close to the train station but in a quiet area. The staff were friendly and informative of sites in the city. We easily walked down to the Cathedral, lake, museums and shops, using the funicular to return. A delicious assortment of hot and cold items were offered at breakfast. We also had superb dinners both evenings at the hotel restaurant. Our room was comfortable and clean.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Location
Service
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.
Response from Roland Galliker, Owner at Hotel Federale
Responded Jan 19, 2023
Dear Viagg16 Thank you very much for having stayed at our Hotel Federale in Lugano and for taking time in writing a review about your experience. We are very happy that you mentioned that we have friendly staff and also that we were able to service you with information about the city. Breakfast is an important start into the day and thank you for having chosen to dine at our restaurant on both evenings. Thank you again for visiting Lugano and our Hotel. With kindest regards Roland Galliker and friendly 😊 staff
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Conveniently located next to the train station check-in was quick but found out that WiFi wasn’t working and only one key. When working WiFi is slow. Disappointingly we only were informed of paying city tax at check-out so could not use the benefits such as free city bus transportation. We would have appreciated it to have been informed at arrival. Especially as Lugano was experiencing nonstop rain. Apartment felt a bit worn. Upside - close to city center and cathedral.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Inquire about city tax and public transport
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 room on the 5th floor was superb with views out across the lake. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The hotel is in a great location, very near the train station just a few steps away, yet only a few minutes down the hill into the centre of town. There is a funicular back up the hill from the centre of town back up to the station. The hotel is full of character and our room was very comfortable. I would rate it as a 4 star apart from the food which was disappointing. It is nice but very 3 star, not imaginative and quite limited, so we ate out nearby on some evenings.
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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 very close to the train station in Lugano breathes the atmosphere of long gone times. The rooms are rather shabby - I had a linen more grey than white. The staff is very friendly, breakfast was ok.
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Date of stay: January 2023
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
Response from Roland Galliker, Owner at Hotel Federale
Responded Feb 21, 2023
Good day Andreas G thank you very much for having chosen our Hotel for your stay in Lugano. Times are long gone, the building is more than 100years old, and renovation works of rooms and public spaces are ongoing. More important for a professional traveler as you are, could/would be friendliness of staff, breakfast and I am happy to read that those criteria you pointed them out as being positive. Thank you. Best regards Roland Galliker
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Dear Mrs Jones,
Yes, all guest rooms do have air-conditioning.
Hoping I could be of help, I look forward to welcoming you to Lugano.
With kindest regards
Roland Galliker
Dear Tony,
Thank you for your question.
We have underground parking, just around the corner of the hotel, in the main building. Parking costs CHF 20.00 per car per night or CHF 29.00 for electrical and plug-in hybrid cars including charing of batteries.
Garage entrance is 2.70 meters large and 2.20 meters high.
When reserving your room, please add where it is possible to make comments that you would like a parking space.
Hoping we could be of service, we look forward to welcoming you to Lugano.
Please book direct on our website for best prices.
Kindest regards
Roland Galliker
There are more places to choose from in the Lugano area.
PRICE RANGE
C$305 - C$395 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
minotel hotel federale, minotel hotel lugano, minotel lugano, lugano minotel
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Minotel
LOCATION
SwitzerlandSwiss AlpsCanton of TicinoLugano
NUMBER OF ROOMS
47
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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