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Hotel Villa Principe Leopoldo - Residence****
Lugano, Switzerland (Ticino)
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The junior partner of one of the most perfect hotels in Europe.
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Peter and Linda D'Aprix 1998-2002
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While Hotel Villa Principe Leopoldo is one of the world's lovely hotels it is correspondingly, and necessarily quite expensive. Happily, for those who would like the amenities of Principe Leopoldo without quite such a high price tag, just across the street is the "Residence" of the Principe Leopoldo. The name may imply a longer term stay is necessary but it is not. Stay a night or a month.
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One of the spacious junior suites.
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Pool with view of the Lac Lugano
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Misou soup with tofu, diced veggies
and jumbo shrimp
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Reception
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© 2002 photos Peter D'Aprix
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The owners of the Hotel Villa Principe Leopoldo recently refurbished the Residence in a tongue-in-cheek Imperial Rome motif; bust, murals, limp wristed lads and lasses painted on rest rooms doors. A delightful and light hearted ambiance. The suites are designed in two basic configurations: one an open plan, split level bedroom/sitting room, the other a one bedroom with separate sitting room. Both are attractive, light and airy. Basic rooms are also available. Prices start at 260 Euros and climb to 665 Euros a night for the small suite during high season. (Prices quoted for 2002).
The location is pastoral even in this residential area. Behind the Residence is a charming vineyard stepping up the hill in narrow terraces. The several wings of suites look over a grassy sward with palm trees and a swimming pool. Trees abound.
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The lobby leading to the suites showing
the Imperial Rome interior design motif.
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The vineyard in the back and one of the
Roman busts that line the hallways.
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Lamb fillets with asparagus, roasted potatoes and vine tomatoes broiled.
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The pool and lawn with one wing of the Residence in the background.
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The cosy restaurant is small and intimate serving excellent, light fare. A pleasant break from the delicious but markedly richer dishes of the restaurant at the main hotel. Perolini Aldo, the maitre d', is gracious and welcoming. The chef de cuisine is a young woman, shy when faced with flattery, by the name of Lara Ferrario. She hits just the right notes with her modern, light cuisine with influences from as far away as Japan.
We both started with the Misou soup that was replete with tasty tofu, coarsely diced vegies and several jumbo shrimp. This was followed with a very good roasted chicken breast with assorted vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce for Linda and a perfectly cooked filet of lamb with rosemary for me accompanies by asparagus spears, roast potatoes and vine tomatoes broiled. One dessert was a light and tasty frozen parfait on a bed of rhubarb with sprinkles of colored sugar enlivening the plate. Another was a mini chocolate cake with the popular hot liquid chocolate center served with mint sorbet.
Other dishes on the menu range from raw carpegna ham with melon, country style soup with cereals and light pesto, green asparagus soup, small gnocchi with lobster tail, tomato and olives, bruschette with fresh tomato and bacon fat, Swiss prime beef steak gratinated with Cafe de Paris. As well as our deserts, you could also choose from Catalona cream with honey, sabayon with ratafia and walnut ice-cream, bitter chocolate flan with orange sauce and Amaretto 's tiramisu not to mention the ice-creams and sorbets. Heck, even if you aren't staying here, it is a good place to come and eat!
Whether you are in Lugano on business, active holiday or just to let go, this hotel and restaurant will give you all things.
Hotel Villa Principe Leopoldo
5 via Montalbano
Lugano
CJ-6900 Switzerland
tel: 011-41-(091) 985.88.55
fax: 011-41-(091) 985.88.25
eMail:info@leopoldohotel.com
eMail:leopoldo@relaischateaux.fr
WebSite: http://www.relaischateaux.fr/leopoldo
Maps Below
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For a link to the Relais & Châteaux Group of hotels and restaurants own site, click on the button left.
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Click map below to see larger version.
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Map.
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Driving Instructions;
Leaving the freeway-autoroute-motorway-autostrada, enter using "Lugano-Sud" and take the direction "Lago". Stay on the left handside in reaching ghe first traffic light. Turn left towards "Ponte Tresa-Stazione". Thed to the second traffic light, turn left again, follow the direction "Ponte Tresa" and the placard for "Villa der Principe Leopoldo".
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Click map below to see larger version.
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Driving Map.
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