If you have been following me, you know how much I love the Italian part of Switzerland. It’s like being in Italy but with all the Swiss perks! For those of us living in the German part where sunshine proves to be pure luxury at least half the year (if not longer), having the possibility to access blue skies in a matter of two hours is pure bliss.
Each time I visit Ticino, the Go-To place for us the sun lovers, I find myself having the biggest grin ever on my face. Ticino embodies everything I need to feel good and relaxed – from the climate, to the palm trees, to the sexy language, the class, safety and of course the hospitality.
After so many years, I’m still stunned by its lack of exposure and awareness worldwide. This Swiss Italian oasis has the third largest financial city (Lugano) and offers myriads of activities which are unique to their region. From sight-seeing to hiking, fine wine tasting to cooking with Michelin starred chefs to unwind at the most dapper five-star hotels, and many more.
Once more, I cannot stress enough how grateful I am and how privileged I feel to be able to experience beauty at its finest and deepest. I, not only, spend quality time at some of the most exclusive and luxurious establishments in the world, but I get to meet the minds, hearts and souls behind them as well, no matter their job or skill set.
CASTELLO DEL SOLE, ASCONA
I can honestly say that I am becoming an aficionado of Ticino, namely Ascona! Little by little, as I spend more time there I get to understand its heart beat better. But don’t get me wrong, I’m also fully aware that it will take many more trips to discover all of its beauty and surprises.
Bring it on!
This time around, lucky me, got to explore the five-star hotel Castello del Sole where history was made, the present nurtured and the future planned.
A little bit of history
In 1532, Francesco Orelli built this building to hide the followers of the new Protestant teachings. In 1756 it was mentioned for the first time as an “architectural gem”. Around 1900 it was run as a simple osteria with six rooms for guests and decades later, it morphed into an exclusive hotel property which kept its original character while adopting a more contemporary style.
Drive in with Maserati Ghibli
One cannot separate luxury hotels from luxury cars – they go hand in hand. In my opinion, traditional hotels are the perfect backdrop for sleek and sporty cars. The bigger the contrast the better!
My partner in crime was the Maserati Ghibli SQ4 GL. The adjectives that come to mind to describe this beauty are:
Bold. Sleek. Sexy. Elegant. Fast.
The drive there was smooth, easy and fun, although the strict Swiss speed limits got in the way at times! Maserati is the perfect companion if you want luxury and sexy without being showy. Worth mentioning that it is not a seasonal car either. It’s safe no matter the conditions, ice, snow or sun.
First impressions
It was love at first sight! The property is huge but feels cozy. The juxtaposition of history, contemporary and nature creates a certain magic that one feels immediately upon entering the premises.
Our room
Wow! That was the first word that came to mind as I turned the key which opened to a modern, spacious room with a balcony facing a garden which never seems to end. To make it even more glamorous, we had one walking closet and an additional closet space! Not that I had that many clothes with me ….
Spa and Beach time
If you are looking for me, don’t look further. Chances are I am at the spa relaxing, meditating or being pampered. Not all spas are equal and some are just way more fabulous than others!
At Castello’s spa, one can easily lose track of time. The door opens to a world of wonders where the senses are activated right away. The huge space (2,500 square metres) allows guests to immerse themselves into whatever tickles their fancy, from exercising to resting to getting specialized treatments.
Best of all, for those keen on facials and natural products, Castello del Sole uses their own treatment line made with grape seed oil mostly pressed from grape seeds produced in the hotel’s own vineyards!
What more to ask for? On one end you have this gorgeous and serene space to unwind and almost hide in and on the other hand you have this private beach where you can bask in the sun admiring the views from Lake Maggiore. Then of course beach time would not be the same without a few glasses of bubbles to celebrate life!
The Living Circle – connected by Nature
Castello del Sole is not just a luxury hotel but it is also an advocate of simplicity, authenticity and alignment with nature. To them and to us at Discover Out Loud, luxury is far more than an expensive bottle of wine savored in a five-star restaurant. Luxury is about building life-long memories from experiences that money cannot buy. It is about forging relationships and synergies benefiting both humankind and Nature.
It always begins with a thought ….
In 2017, two luxury hotels (Castello del Sole and The Storchen Zurich) with two unique restaurants and traditional farms decided to combine forces and create a new brand called “The Living Circle – Luxury hotels fed by Nature.”
The concept is quite simple:
- Focus on delivering an exceptional experience to guests
- Focus on Nature
- Focus on high quality services and products
- Products of farms are at the center
- Guests have the opportunity to discover places they would have not known of otherwise
- “The Circle of People”: a special loyalty program created for regular guests
- Create new sales opportunity for farmers
Stay tuned for our next trip to Castello del Sole with more exciting discoveries! Ci vidiamo!
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