Relais Castello di Morcote

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

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!

Lovely room with a spacious bathroom, little view of the courtyard and lake, comfortable bed. The water and cookies were a nice touch for welcome. A fuzzy bathrobe always puts me in a good mood. Loved having 2 chairs and a little side table to enjoy the view, rather than having to sit in the bed to relax. The only improvement would be a luggage rack or 2. We used the bench at the end of the bed, but it was really not meant for luggage, and we had to open/close every time we needed something. One could unpack a bit into the cabinet provided, which we did to hang some clothing but you can’t hang everything. All of the staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. The restaurant has a limited dinner menu. The hotel breakfast in the restaurant is absolutely outstanding. I could have eaten that all day. We loved the self-serve coffee and wine bar. We sampled some of the wine, although felt it was quite pricey per glass. Parking is a little walk from the hotel, but convenient enough. We were impressed and would stay again.

Relais Castello Di Morcote is an unforgettable experience! The vision, expression, and experiences you imagine from the website are far exceeded. From the moment the door opens you are embraced by a surrounding full of charm with a warmth and kindness from everyone which permeates your heart. It is a meeting of the hearts…with every experience touching the depths of your soul… From our heart to yours, we would like to thank the entire team at Relais Castello Di Morcote, Vicania Ristorante, and Tenuto Castello Di Morcote for the amazing memories you have given us.

What a magical, peaceful, restorative place! From the comfortable beds to the views, the friendly staff and the delicious meals, the decor and the quaint village, the wine tasting and the castle, every aspect of our stay was incredible. I cannot thank the Relais Castello di Morcote enough!! What a treat to find this place!