Relais Castello di Morcote

History and design in perfect combination. A hushed atmosphere envelops this place on a steep hill above tiny Vico Morcote. The lake is a 20 minute walk downhill on stairs and cobblestone, getting back up again is the real challenge. Restaurant Sorgente offers fine dining in a casual atmosphere. Don’t miss restaurant Vicania set in a meadow further up the hill and offering wonderful sunset views, transport can be booked. Rent electric bikes from the friendly staff or take the ferry to Lugano for some city vibes.

Arrival by car is generally advisable, but for the adventurous and physically fit, public transit is also a possibility. We arrived by train from Zurich with a transfer in Lugano to Melide. From there, we took the bus to Vico Morcote. Be aware that bus service to this tiny Ticinese village is limited. Taxis are also available from Lugano. The Relais Castello di Morcote is a uniquely special, beautifully designed, very romantic boutique hotel. It is ideally suited for couples, and those who are looking to unwind, unplug, hike, and get in touch with nature (those looking for a pool and entertainment would be better served in Lugano). We stayed in a super quiet room with a private garden at the back of the hotel (an added benefit was the mini-fridge in our particular room). The privacy would lend itself well to meditation, reading, or yoga practice. Dining at the hotel restaurant and the Alpe Vicania restaurant further up the hill are highly recommended. A shuttle service is provided to and from Alpe Vicania by making an advance reservation at the hotel. The creative food and attentive service at both locations added a special touch to our overall experience. Breakfast was fantastic, too! Vico Morcote itself is a tiny town of 300+ inhabitants. It boasts a vineyard and castello worth visiting. The path meandering up to the castello is lined with magnificent olive trees, scented wildflowers and herbs, and grape vines. From the lush grounds of the castello, the panoramic views of the lake and the Italian town of Porto Ceresio are spectacular. Wine tastings and a tour of the wine making operation are available at the vineyard by making a reservation at the hotel. We highly recommend it! For those traveling on public transit, be aware that the two dining options available in Vico Morcote are both closed on Mondays. Food markets are not available, and the only choice is to descend down the hill to Morcote proper, a steep walk that takes about 20 minutes (there is no bus from Vico Morcote to Morcote proper). Climbing back uphill takes closer to 30-40 minutes. If requested, the hotel will make a dinner reservation in advance. On our walk that day, it was raining and a bit stormy, something to keep in mind when planning your trip. Without access to a car, you may want to avoid staying on a Monday unless you're okay with a walk in any condition. With that said, we enjoyed our daily hikes and looked forward to climbing uphill to peace and quiet at the end of each day! In terms of excursions, we took the 10am bus to Lugano on several occasions. From there, we toured Lugano, or took the boat to Porto Ceresio, Italy, for lunch. Similarly, we took the boat from Lugano to Gandria, where we walked the olive trail. Since buses to Vico Morcote are limited with a big gap in mid-day service, we opted to take the bus or ship back to Morcote proper from Lugano. In Morcote, we toured the Parco Scherrer and the highly recommended Church of Santa Maria del Sasso. At the

I have no words to explain my experience of this magical place... Everything was perfect, the welcome, the kindness, the cleanliness, the charm, the design, the decoration, the location, the view, the atmosphere and the spirit of the staff.

It's taken a while for me to post this review because it's difficult to find the right words to do it justice. My husband and I fell in love with this property from the moment we arrived. There is a peaceful energy in this ancient converted convent. No expense was spared during renovations to created a highly styled yet homey and comfortable experience. Each room is unique (I was fortunate to see 4 rooms) with all the plush amenities you could possibly need. The staff are incredible and eager to elevate guests' experiences in any way they can. The food both at dinner (al fresco under a full moon) and breakfast was delicious. We brought home a couple souvenir bottles of sublime Olive Oil and Honey from the property- and enjoyed multiple bottles of the delicious wine from the Tentuta (estate). We were very excited to learn that they are in the process of adding a pool and spa to the property. The bonus, as hotel guest, of having access to the Castle and vineyards put this property in a league of its own. I've read a couple reviews with concerns about the walk from and to town. For us, this was part of the charm and added to the overall experience. How often are you able to walk under a fragrant canopy of chestnut and olive trees with a view of one of the most iconic lakes in the world- to consider this a negative or inconvenience seems irreverent- after all, this is a medieval village. I'm not overstating it when I say that staying at the Relais Castello De Morcote will remain one of the great experiences of my life. To the staff and owner- thank you for your hospitality and for creating such a unique experience- Your efforts are appreciated and we loved every second of our stay!