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Lugano has plenty of accommodation to suit all budgets. There’s a five-star campsite, La Piodella, by the lakeshore in Muzzano, 3km west of town near Agno airport (091/994 77 88, fax 994 67 08; closed Nov), with four more campsites in close proximity to it – cheapest is Molinazzo (091/605 17 57, fax 605 14 01; April–Oct). One of Switzerland’s best-value HI hostels (complete with swimming pool), isat Via Cantonale 13, Savosa (091/966 27 28, fax 968 23 63; a; mid-March to Oct), with dorms for Fr.26 – take bus #5 to Crocifisso from the stop 200m left out of the train station. Another option is the HI hostel in an idyllic location at Figino on the Ceresio peninsula (091/995 11 51, fax 995 10 70; March to mid-Oct), offering dorms for Fr.25 and bike rental – hourly postbuses from outside the Lugano tourist office go to Casoro, a stop beside the hostel (20min). The well-located Hotel Montarina (see below) has quality modern dorms within the city centre for Fr.35, with discounts for stays over two nights.

Inexpensive hotels

Ginevra, Via Ginevra 7 (091/923 61 70, fax 923 61 75). Rather grotty from the outside, but balconied rooms on the upper floors at the back aren’t bad for the price. Shared-bath rooms are a steal, considering the central location. a–b.

Montarina, Via Montarina 1 (091/966 72 72, fax 966 12 13, asbest@tinet.ch; closed Jan). Efficient little place in a nice garden just behind the station, with clean, all-new rooms and helpful management.

Pestalozzi, Piazza Indipendenza 9 (091/921 46 46, fax 922 20 45). Quality choice bang in the centre, 150m from the lakeshore, with serviceable rooms in an Art Nouveau-style building.

Rosa, Via Landriani 2 (091/922 92 86, fax 923 42 70). A small B&B hotel overlooking the civic park just east of the centre, with shared-bath and en-suite rooms.

Schmid, Via delle Scuole 9 (091/994 91 21, fax 994 18 13). Clean, pleasant family-run place beside the Salvatore funicular in Paradiso; the rooms aren’t modern, but are atmospheric, and some bigger ones with double balconies are a bargain.

Zurigo, Corso Pestalozzi 13 (091/923 43 43, fax 923 92 68). Central, very clean and well-kept place, with modern rooms, private parking and a trace of style as well.

Mid-range and expensive hotels

Federale, Via Regazzoni 8 (091/910 08 08 Fax 091/910 08 00, reservation@hotel-federale.ch, www.hotel-federale.ch). Impressive townhouse set in the quiet leafy district immediately below the station, well away from traffic and with lake views from upper floors; quality modern rooms are characterful and good value. c–d.

Du Lac, Riva Paradiso 3 (091/994 19 21, fax 994 11 22, dulac@dial.eunet.ch, tivi.eunet.ch/dulac). Modern lakefront hotel, something of an eyesore but nonetheless with comfortable, balconied rooms looking onto the lake; those without a lake view cost much less. Go for the upper floors.

Principe Leopoldo, Via Montalbano 5 (091/985 88 55, fax 985 88 25, info@leopoldo.ch, www.leopoldo.ch). Disconcertingly lavish palace way up on a hill overlooking the lake, dripping in traditional elegance and luxury, with guest facilities to match.

Splendide Royal, Riva Caccia 7 (091/985 77 11, fax 985 77 22,info@splendide.ch, www.splendide.ch). Lugano’s best and most expensive establishment, with public and guest room interiors that live up to the hotel’s name. Accept nothing less than one of the vast new rooms on the top floor, offering some of the best views in the city.