Villa Principe Leopoldo & Residence - Lugano, Switzerland 

This hotel is in two parts - the 'main' part which overlooks the lake and the mountains looks absolutely fabulous and the views cannot be beaten HOWEVER the 'residence' is something different altogether and might as well be a travelodge anywhere in the world. The decor is dated and the carpets are stained, not to mention the dodgy pile of fluff under the beds that looked as though a hoover had not been near them since 1982 (which was probably the date of the last decoration). The bathrooms are also dated with one of those annoying plastic shower heads that squirt in all directions except on you. As for the view from the rooms - well, if you like looking straight at a grass bank or a car park then this is the place for you. The build quality of the place is certainly not what you would expect of Switzerland - there are some crude 'murals' on the walls in the foyer and corridors that looked as though they have been done by a drunken horse, and the finish is just third-rate. Nice swimming pool, though.

My reservation said I was booked into the Residence ( the page on their website said it was only a few steps from the Villa). The Villa faced the Lake, had restaurants that faced the Lake, and lounges that faced the Lake. The Residence was more like a glorified Holiday Inn without any rooms (common or individual) that faced the Lake. It was probably 2 blocks from the Villa and in the rain without a car, it could have been in Milan for all the good it did me. The hotel itself was on a steep hillside which would not offer an easy or even the possiblity of a walk to town, but instead it was a 25€ cab ride from/to the rail station. The Residence building looked like it was built in prefab cement blocks, ( think army bunker ) which were decorated well to disguise the fact. It had long dark halls, large rooms (split level ) where the king sized bed was set at an angle, the TV swiveled so it could be viewed from the bed or the couch on the lower level. My rate was 290€ per night (single) included a 4 course dinner, full breakfast, VAT service and taxes. The 4 course dinner in the dining room (Cafe Leopoldo in the Residence), was a set meal, The restaurant staff were friendly, but had trouble translating the menu. The food was well presented, and the rest of the menu looked as if there were a variety of choices. There may have been 5 tables used in the dining room for both breakfast and diner, it was surely a slow night. I had originally booked for 2 nights, but I felt isolated with no where to go and no way to get there, having arrived by rail. I left after the first night. I expected more from a Relais & Chateau property. At no time was there any mention of visiting the Villa which may have been worth the rate, but staying in the Residence was a big let down.