Lakefront property. Smiling welcoming reception and breakfast staff. Balcony with table and chairs. Kettle! Terrace at top of hotel for viewing lake. Visitors arriving by train: the central station is above the lake on a steep hillside. There is a new funicular at the train station to take you up and down the hill from the old town. When you arrive at the bottom look for the charcuterie with hanging sausages. Then turn right and walk along this narrow street until you see a sign for the hotel. Otherwise there are many many stairs down to the hotel.

No complaints.

The location was excellent and the lake view from my room was fantastic. There were many shops and restaurants in the nearby, the boat station was very close to the hotel. The hotel was right in the city center. The room was not large, but was enough for me and clean. The breakfast was good and the breakfast room had a nice view to the lake. The staff was polite and helpfull, but I didn t receive the guest card from the reception when I arrived.

The hotel staff didn t give me the guest card when I arrived and I was asked about the card during my train trip to Locarno that should have been free. I showed a paper that I found in the room, but it was not the guest card. I could have paid a fee, but the train control understood the situation. The hotel staff said that I had to ask for the card. From this hotel I moved to another hotel in Lugano, few minutes walking close, for another days. In that second hotel I got the guest card when I arrived, before going to the room. So, it was not my mistake at the hotel Walter au Lac, especially that I found a paper with all informations about the guest card in my room.

Fantastic view over the lake, along the promenade, central to all the activities Friendly staff

Check in was easy. Breakfast was delicious. The people who work here act like they really enjoy their work. The hotel is right on the lake -stunning views from our room. The room is very comfortable . Very close to shopping, lake cruise, train station. There is a sitting room, with coffee or tea available to be made. A printer is also available. It is very nice to have the Ticino Card (available on request) for free travel on ticino trains ( to Bellinzona, Locarno) and the funiculare to the train station.

There is a bus stop right outside, where there are a lot of people taking a smoke- smoke drifts up into the room occasionally. The hotel can not help this, but it happens.

I had an amazing room with a wonderful view over Lake Lugano. It could not have been more perfect. The hotel was very clean, the air-conditioning was perfect, on the very hot nights that I was there, but the room also had a lovely balcony with a nice cool breeze. The view was beyond superb. The front desk and breakfast staff were excellent, and the breakfast was one of the best I have ever had at a hotel, a wonderful variety to please every nationality of visitor. The hotel was wonderfully decorated. It was truly an excellent experience.

great location close to the train station, ferries, restaurants useable balcony overlooking the water

narrow shower floor, difficult to be comfortable in it

I liked EVERYTHING!! Location, to watch the lake, the mountains, the sky, the scene on the lake. As suggested by other reviewers, I requested a higher floor room. Noise was not a problem, as long as door to balcony was closed. The breakfast was also super, in the Swiss style. Of course, the basics: clean, comfortable, kind staff were all there. I would stay again.

I really liked everything, but will say my room would have been small-ish for a couple.

super great location. I stay at 2bed rooms family suite, the view is facing the lake. the room was good . I would recommended this hotel . I love everything there except the staff named Antonio. the storm blew my shirt into the balcony in another room but he didn’t help and just made fun of me. he sarcastically told me to wait for the “storm to blow it back to me” I understand if he couldn’t get it , he should give a polite answer. others staffs are good.

as I stay at the 2 bedrooms suite , the room is big nice and clean. the thing that I don t like is Antonio.

Perfect location in the center of Lugano, everything in walkable distance. Considering the property has more than 130 years of history, it's well maintained. Rooms spacious enough if you don't spend the whole day there. Bathroom clean and spacious. Breakfast with everything you need the start of the day. Crew very polite, attentive. Jacuzzi was not working because it was November already, could imagine this to be a perfect addition to our stay. We had 2 excellent days in Lugano. Thank you Walter Au Lac. Bottom line: I've read the reviews here complaining about the street noise: It's a hotel at a lake with a street on a lake shore. What do you expect, a road closure for the whole night? Some complain about small choice for breakfast? Seriously?

Perfect location at the water front, close to bars and restaurants, bus to station stops in front of the hotel (free for people who stay in hotels), very close to boat stop. Excellent breakfast room with magificent view. Breakfast had enough choice. Very friendly staff. Very complete minibar.

There was quite some noise on the first night. The noise came from a group of kids hanging around outside the hotel (nothing the hotel can be held responsible for). The hotel is very nice but in some aspects a bit outdated (cracking wooden floors, ...)