Swarming as it is with tourists, Locarno is also crammed with accommodation of all kinds. The tourist office has a leaflet “Hotels Special”, advertising six nights en-suite B&B for two in any one of a handful of two-star hotels for Fr.780.

The pricey Deltacampsite (091/751 60 81, fax 751 22 43; March–Oct) is a fifteen-minute walk south along the lakeshore. The modern HI hostelOstello Palagiovani, Via Varenna 18 (091/756 15 00, fax 756 15 01; a), has dorms from Fr.31 and bike rental, but it’s in an awkward western location – take bus #31 or #36 (direction Centovalli) to Cinque Vie. Two other places offer dorms, both in the heart of the Old Town: the small Ostello Giaciglio, Via Rusca 7 (091/751 30 64, fax 752 38 37), charges Fr.30 but gives no breakfast, while the much better Città Vecchia (see below) has good all-in dorms for Fr.31.

Camelia, Via Nessi 9, Muralto (091/743 00 21, fax 743 00 22, hotel@camelia.ch, www.camelia.ch; March–Oct). Elegant, eager-to-please family hotel set in fragrant floral gardens and offering spacious rooms, some with balcony and lake view. c.

Città Vecchia, Via Torretta 13 (phone & fax 091/751 45 54; March–Oct). Centrally placed “garni” hotel, with dorms and simple, shared-bath rooms. a.

Muralto, Piazza Stazione 8 (091/743 01 81, fax 743 43 15, info@hotelmuralto.com, www.hotelmuralto.com). Huge place directly opposite the station offering solid business-class quality on all but the uppermost floors, where light, vastly spacious rooms have picture-perfect lake views from on high and all creature comforts. d–f.

Navegna, Via alla Riva 2, Minusio (091/743 22 22, fax 743 31 50, hotelnavegna@bluewin.ch; March–Nov). About 1.5km east of the centre, directly on the waterfront, with modern, stylishly renovated rooms, private parking and an excellent restaurant. c.

Olanda, Via ai Monti 139a (phone & fax 091/751 47 27; March–Oct). Small family-style pension high up on the hill road to Madonna del Sasso, set amidst lush palms and camellias. Most rooms – simple but appealing – have balconies with romantic lake views. Discounts for stays over three days. Private parking. b.

Reginetta, Via Motta 8 (phone & fax 091/752 35 53, reginetta.locarno@bluewin.ch, www.reginetta-locarno.ch; March–Oct). A prime location in the heart of the Old Town’s web of alleys, offering fresh, renovated rooms, some with balcony but all shared-bath. a.

Schlosshotel, Via San Francesco 7a (091/751 23 61, fax 751 73 23, schlosshotel@ticino.com, www.ticino.com/schlosshotel; March–Nov). Large, slightly old-fashioned rooms in a well-kept Old Town pile. c.

Vecchia Locarno, Via Motta 10 (phone & fax 091/751 65 02). Scruffily characterful Old Town gem, with both shared-bath and en-suite rooms above a courtyard restaurant and winebar. b.

Villa Palmiera, Via del Sole 1, Muralto (091/743 14 41, fax 743 03 20; March–Nov). Stylish and comfortable villa-style hotel on a hill just above the centre, with private parking. b–c.

Villa Pauliska, Via Orselina 6, Muralto (091/743 05 41). Handsome townhouse on a hill above the town, with just four nicely furnished en-suite rooms. b.