I reviewed this hotel in 2017. Since then I have been back twice, with family and my very positive comments stand. The only change is that everyone has had to deal with Covid, and the Castello del Sole has risen to the challenge. One feels perfectly safe, while at the same time not restricted. The size of the hotel, grounds and restaurant mean that it is easy to distance. A joy to visit, great whether you want to do sport (tennis, golf and cycling available) or simply relax by the pool or the lake. Excellent facilities for children. I'm looking forward to my next visit - but will need to save, this excellence costs serious money!
It is definetely the right place to unwind and chill. I liked the entrance and all surroundings and big spaces are trully great. The staff was really attentive and even Chef came very friendly to wish us a nice lunch, which we had at terrace the self-service bbq à la minute-style with plenty of choices including desserts! We really enjoyed the experience from start visiting their gardens under the sun together with a digestive down their "beach" to finish.
We stayed 5 nights to get a well deserved COVID break. We felt totally safe, as hygiene measures are very well respected. Staff are often tested and they have a watchful eye on the guests. The location can’t be better and the open spaces and gardens are breathtaking. Food is amazingly good and there are lots of activities to have your day busy. A special mention to the excellent service offered by Salvatore, Martino and Samuele. It’s a very pricey hotel and therefore you expect excellence in all aspects. We were somehow disappointed due to the following: - The air conditioner of our newly refurbished room wasn’t working and it was particularly warm this week. - They tried fixing it, but didn’t manage and and we were told to sleep with the windows opened. It wouldn’t have been an issue, but around 5-6 am the automatic and rather noisy water sprinklers woke us, same for the staff working by the terrace to prepare breakfast. - Staff offered no solution so after 5 nights, we’re coming back more tired that at our arrival. - About activities, we had a nasty surprise during check out as you actually have to pay extra for the tennis courts. This is unacceptable given the price of the hotel and we were not told beforehand. This is the first hotel (at any price range) that we’re asked to pay extra for the court. - lack of flexibility from the receptionist. We booked a package (Demi pension) and one day, arriving late and exhausted from our outside activities, we would have preferred to eat at the room, but they wouldn’t accept unless paying full price dinner for the room service menu. So we had no choice but take a shower, get dressed and go to the restaurant. As a summary, a 5 star superior hotel as this one can’t allow these deficiencies in service!!!!…
Excellent hotel, great service and staff - and luckily we were in a modernised room (the older ones don't get great reviews). Lots to do with the kids, fabulous 24.5metre (annoyingly though not 25m!) swimming pool for me to train in, great spa, lovely food and lots of it homegrown, great tennis, really good all round and of course expensive to go with it. But worth it.
Seldom does one find a hotel or resort where the standard of service, food and attention to detail exceed expectation. Castello del Sole is extremely unique in this respect. I shall be returning with my wife and the first opportunity.
although we prefer to stay in small houses with privacy the castello offers you the chance to find your place in its vast grounds. we stayed in a beautiful large suite with views of the lake behind the trees. very friendly staff and hosts. breakfast was very nice although a little crowded due to the many guests. the private lakeshore is of course great, too.
As regular travellers to the best properties in the world we were bowled over by the quality of the service from beginning to end. Little details like remembering our names from the beginning showed the passion for service. Dinner in both the Michelin 1 starred restaurant (thanks to Sergio) and the daily restaurant were exceptional. Fabulous setting. The bedroom was well thought out and in perfect condition. Book the michelin restaurant well before arrival if you are a foody as it books out early.
visited after almost 30 years ascona at giardino for the 1st tome castello del sole. while other hotels stay still this resort is at its highth. nothing to blame all on a top level incl friendliness cleanliness aswell as accomodation. food excellent and surounded by hughe gardens and space. a place to be and enjoy
Booked in advance for a birthday lunch in “La Spiaggia” (the fine dining restaurant is not open and the “table for two” not available on our desired date). It was a rainy day and so were moved to the indoor dining restaurant. Only semi-buffet available. The reception cleverly sat us to the middle table where we were all surrounded by families with many kids. Asked how much the lunch cost (no price written down; it seems this restaurant is mainly for stay-in guests with full board), he was not so sure and just said 90 Swiss Francs (we were charged 70 something SF per head at the end for no reason). Asked we could order a la carte, he carelessly replied ‘you could choose your main’ (I guess ‘choosing your main’ and ‘ordering a-la-carte’ are quite different concepts. Perhaps to him are the same?) I then had a quick look at the buffet session and figured out, normally I wouldn’t prefer to dine here, let alone I have to pay or not. But hell the rain was getting hard and didn’t wanna make a fuzz, we chose our mains and ordered glass of red each. We went to the buffet counter and after we were back to the table, voila, two glasses of red wine sitting on our table. That’s what a call the new 5-star hotel standard. They don’t want to disturb your dining experience, so they just put them on while you are away. Very thoughtful indeed. For the main, the fish we ordered was quite (ok, ‘quite’ maybe too much an understatement) slimy and fishy. It was on a Monday, even the fish came in Friday, it shouldn’t be that fishy. I guess it should have been beyond that. Oh did I mention the bread was COLD, and the butter was ICE cold? I am not demanding bread served warm or Luke warm, but at least have some mercy to the baker and not serve them straight from the fridge ok? To put the ice cold butter on the bread, we needed to literally scrap out a thin layer on top of it, layer by layer, as there was no way you could dip into it. After the meal we were waiting for something for the birthday arrangement. 15 mins passed, nothing happening, and we just concluded we were fools. A plate with “happy birthday to XX”, which was arranged over the reservation email(s) was no where to be seen. We paid and thinking to ourselves, this was exactly the experience which you would like to erase from your life. …
Really lovely hotel with great facilities and super "simpa" staff. Good facilities including spa, pools etc Lovely location net to the lake. Two restaurants but even the "basic" one served really good food and we are foodies. Very warm welcome. Altogether a gem.
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