At 40 miles long, Lake Maggiore spans two countries – Italy and Switzerland.

Dotted around the shores are hamlets, villages and towns like Ascona, a pretty lakeside idyll, and of course, Hotel Eden Roc. 

Located in the Ticino region of Switzerland, Ascona is favoured by in-the-know locals who now have even more of a reason to visit with the unveiling of the newly revamped hotel.

An extensive seven-month renovation led by Fiorenzo Tresoldi and Carlo Rampazzi has brought maximalist interiors and intricate, no-expense-spared detailing across the three buildings that make up the hotel, with 46 brand new suites.

Forget less is more, here it’s all about bold bright colours, clashing patterns and frivolity – a refreshing change to the beigification (I made that word up, but I think you will all know what I mean) of hotel interiors across the world. Think classic Italian interiors, but in Switzerland.

Within the hotel, guests can enjoy four restaurants and two bars, including Michelin-starred La Brezza.

Marco Campanella – named Chef of the Year by the GaultMillau Guide 2025 – oversees the food offering across the hotel, and it shows. The food for me is one of the biggest selling points of the Eden Roc.

From the daily breakfast taken on the pretty terrace of Restaurant Eden Roc (guests can also book in for dinner – tell them not to miss the cheese trolley), to lakeside lunches at the charming Lakehouse La Casetta, I didn’t have one bad meal during my stay.

We also enjoyed laid-back lunches at the Eden Bar and dinner at the Marina Restaurant with its unique beach club atmosphere. Clients looking for a five-star gastronomic experience won’t be disappointed at Eden Roc.

Guest bedrooms are large and well-appointed with a plush mattress from Elky, flatscreen TV, built-in wardrobes and interiors by Carlo Rampazzi.

My Panoramic Double Room had huge sliding glass doors leading out onto a sunny, generous balcony where I could watch the comings and goings on the lake.

Cosy and calming, it also had the nicest rainfall shower I’ve experienced in a while and a separate seating area where staff left tasty morsels every day.

The resort is set amongst 10,000 square-metres of meticulously manicured gardens, plus there’s a large spa with treatment rooms, saunas, steam baths, fitness room, hair salon and kids’ club. 

The refurbishment has also seen a state-of-the-art heating system installed, which utilises the lake to warm and cool the entire property. Guests can play boules, visit the on-site apiary and hire a Mini Moke for the day – friendly reception staff can help with this.

Although I do feel its claim of being Switzerland’s only true beach resort is pushing it a little – there’s a tiny strip of shoreline facing Lake Maggiore – there’s no doubt that its lakeside location is enviable.

Expect swimming spots, gardens running right up to the shoreline offering plenty of sun loungers, three swimming pools, a sailing club and numerous water-based activities. We enjoyed a private boat tour of the lake with perfectly cut finger sandwiches and Champagne, something clients can book during a stay.

Also central to the hotel’s philosophy is Moving Mountains – a holistic lifestyle programme designed to help guests restore vitality, reconnect with nature and ’celebrate joy’. Working with expert advisors and practitioners, guests can take part in a variety of outdoor pursuits and small group fitness classes. Menus also highlight Moving Mountains dishes with helpful nutritional information. 

Our outdoor butler was a real credit to the hotel, taking our group on a walking tour of Ascona as well as a hike to the gorges and villages of the Ticino region. Bonus points were added when he produced some delicious homemade energy balls and refreshing iced tea at the summit, much needed after a three-hour hike.

As part of the grand reopening weekend, we enjoyed a synchronised performance by a nearby swimming club, and a lively lakeside party attended by chic locals and loyal guests keen to see what the team had done with Hotel Eden Roc. 

The hotel’s pontoon has been transformed into a stylish beach club that will stay for the summer with sun loungers, chairs and parasols adding to the glamour. The green and white striped beach hut style bar serves guests chilled rose, cocktails and Champagne. The hotel’s location on majestic Lake Maggiore is perfect. There’s something very special about a lakeside hotel and there’s no doubt that the Hotel Eden Roc should be on any European lakes itinerary.

How to book it

Hotel Eden Roc offers rooms starting CHF 530 (£490) for two people sharing a standard double room on a B&B basis. Price includes access to the spa.