Hotel Walter au Lac
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Why go
- Free buffet breakfast overlooking the lake.
- A rooftop terrace added in architect Alberto Camenzind’s redesign.
- Run by the fourth generation of the Cereda family.
Good to know
Good for
- Multilingual stays Staff speak English, French, German and Italian.
Rooms
- Room options
- Non-smoking rooms and suites
- Family rooms
- Available
Amenities
- Wi-Fi Free high-speed internet.
- Baggage storage
- Dry cleaning
- Ironing service
- Safe In rooms.
Restaurants and bars on site
- Breakfast is served on the first floor.
Location
- Piazza Riziero Rezzonico 7, 6900 Lugano.
What you see
- Lake views from the hotel’s rooms and first-floor breakfast area.
With kids
- Family rooms are available.
Interesting facts3
-
Early upgrades brought running water to every room, with toilets and baths on the floors.
Albergo tre stelle a Lugano, Ticino - Oltre 100 anni di ospitalità a Lugano | Walter au Lac -
The new hotel building was planned with a large dining room facing the lake.
Albergo tre stelle a Lugano, Ticino - Oltre 100 anni di ospitalità a Lugano | Walter au Lac -
240 beds
The former main building had 240 beds and ranked among Switzerland’s largest hotels garni.
Albergo tre stelle a Lugano, Ticino - Oltre 100 anni di ospitalità a Lugano | Walter au Lac
History
Founder Walter Forni fought with Garibaldi in 1859–60, served as a Swiss army captain and later worked as a concierge at Vienna’s Hôtel Imperiale.
- 1888Walter Forni opened the hotel in Casa Oliva at Riva Vela 11, on Lugano’s lakeside.
- 1906Forni moved the hotel and commissioned Otto Maraini to design a new building in the Neocinquecentesco style.
- 1912Innocente Cereda became sole owner with his wife, Ida Camenisch.
- 1939After Innocente Cereda died, his sons Walter and Alfredo took over the hotel.
- Second World WarThe Cereda family sold the Via Nassa and Piazza Rezzonico building to repay mortgage debts.
Show all
- 1984–2013Aldo Cereda and his wife Liliana managed the hotel until retiring at the end of 2013.
- 1 February 2018Francesca Cereda, Aldo’s daughter, took over management.
Shorts
How to get there
- ParkingParking is available 250 metres from the hotel at Autosilo LAC, Autosilo Motta or Autosilo Piazza Castello.
Hidden gems nearby
Sources: Hotel Walter au Lac - Hotel a Lugano in centro … · Albergo tre stelle a Lugano, Ticino - Oltre 100… · Hotel Walter au Lac: booking (its own site) · checked 30 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +41-919227425
Questions and answers
How can I check room rates and book at Hotel Walter au Lac?
Check rates for your dates through the hotel’s booking engine.
Who manages Hotel Walter au Lac?
Francesca Cereda manages the hotel. She graduated from Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne and worked in hotels in Switzerland and abroad.
How can I contact Hotel Walter au Lac?
Call +41 91 922 74 25.
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