FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – USEFUL INFORMATION
Arrival
When is check-in and check-out?
Rooms are available from 2 p.m. and must be vacated by 11.30 a.m. on the day of departure. If your room is not ready or you wish to leave your luggage with us on the day of departure, we offer a free luggage storage service.
What address should I enter into my satnav? What are the GPS coordinates?
The address is Via Pietro Bianchi 2, 6900 Lugano (hotel entrance). GPS coordinates: 46.005778, 8.954906 – or Piazza dell'Indipendenza 9, 6900 Lugano (restaurant entrance) – GPS coordinates: 46.005715, 8.955131
Which airport and train station are closest?
The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa, about 75 km away. The nearest train station is in Lugano (about 1.5 km away).
Where is the nearest bus stop to the train station?
The bus stop (Palazzo Congressi) is located directly at the entrance to our restaurant.
How can I get to the hotel?
Arriving by car
Take the Lugano Nord exit – Lugano Centro tunnel – follow the signs for Lugano Centro. At the end of Viale Cassarate, turn right and continue straight ahead until you see our hotel on the right-hand side. After the hotel, turn right into the small street Via Pietro Bianchi.
Lugano Sud exit – follow signs for “Centro/Palazzo Congressi”. Follow this route: Riva Vela – Riva Albertolli – at the traffic lights at the Palazzo Congressi, turn left onto Corso Pestalozzi and immediately after our hotel, turn right onto Via Pietro Bianchi. If you are travelling with a navigation system, please enter Via Pietro Bianchi 2.
Arriving by train
From the station, take bus no. 2 direction Castagnola and get off at the Palazzo Congressi stop.
Taxi – costs between CHF 25 and CHF 30. Or take the funicolar, which departs from the station and takes you directly to the centre of Lugano – then walk 5 minutes towards the Palazzo Congressi (congress centre).
Arriving by plane
Milan Malpensa Airport: train to Lugano station or private transfer buses
Where can I park? Is parking subject to a charge?
You can park your car in Via Pietro Bianchi next to the hotel. We only have a limited number of parking spaces, which cannot be reserved. If these spaces are occupied, our guests can purchase a discounted ticket at reception, which is valid for one exit (without time limit) from the public car parks Autosilo Balestra (200 m), Piazza Castello (100 m) and Campo Marzio (700 m for tall vehicles).
Where can I charge my electric car?
Tesla Destination Charger: Located in Piazza Cioccaro 5 and can also be used by other brands of vehicles.
Autosilo Balestra: The car park in Via G.B. Pioda has charging stations.
Where can I leave my luggage upon arrival?
You can leave your luggage at reception free of charge if your room is not yet ready.
What languages are spoken at reception?
Our team speaks Italian, German, English, French and some Spanish.
Do you organise transfers?
We can organise transfers to the train station or airport. Please contact reception the day before your departure.
Useful information during your stay
What are the reception opening hours?
Our reception is open 24 hours a day. The reception team is available from 07:00 to 22:00, after which our night porter will be happy to assist you.
How can I communicate with the hotel?
By telephone on +41 (0)91 921 46 46 – by email at info@pestalozzi-lugano.ch – by WhatsApp on +41 (0)79 458 58 33 – or via the website www.pestalozzi-lugano.ch
When is breakfast served?
Breakfast is served in the restaurant from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. The buffet includes 4-5 different types of bread, croissants, panettone, homemade cakes, sausage and cream cheese, boiled or soft-boiled eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables, yoghurt (plain or with fruit), homemade Bircher muesli, various cereals (cornflakes, chocolate or fruit cereals, etc.), butter, jam, honey, etc. If you miss something: just ask our team.
What amenities/services are available in the rooms?
Soap and shampoo for hair and body are provided in the room. Other amenities such as slippers, sewing kit, dental kit, shaving kit, kettle, special pillows, etc. can be requested free of charge at our front desk.
What additional services or facilities are available at the hotel?
Small fitness room with treadmill, exercise bike and weights up to 5 kg. Opening hours: from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Shoe shine machine
3 conference and banquet rooms for 20 to 120 people – further information
Library with books to take away
Minibar in the room – on request
Restaurant – open for lunch (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and dinner (6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Document printing
Room service
Souvenir shop
Is there a laundry service?
Yes, there is a laundry service available for a fee. Laundry is returned within 12 hours.
Is there an iron in the room?
No. However, there is a room near the reception where you can iron your clothes – this service is free of charge.
What is the voltage in the room?
220 volts – if you need a different plug, please contact reception.
Does the hotel have a restaurant?
We spoil our guests with market-fresh, seasonal cuisine – Swiss, Italian and vegetarian specialities, gluten-free dishes, homemade pasta and desserts. Open daily from 11.30 a.m to 2.30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wines from Ticino and Italy accompany the gastronomic delights.
Is it advisable to reserve a table?
We always recommend reserving a table in advance.
Are there menus for vegetarians/vegans or for people with food intolerances or allergies?
There are special dishes for clients with food intolerances (lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, etc.). Please enquire at the reception or directly in the restaurant.
Are pets allowed?
Your pets are welcome in our hotel – a maximum of 2 per room. Surcharge per night: CHF 10 per animal without meals – further information can be found here.
Are pets allowed in restaurants?
You are welcome to bring your dog into our restaurant.
Is it possible to add a cot?
There are family rooms for 3/4 to 8 people – with extra beds or connecting doors. Further information can be found here.
Is the water in the room drinkable?
The tap water is 100% drinkable and tastes very good.
What is the Ticino Ticket?
The tourist tax includes the Ticino Ticket, which allows you to use all public transport throughout Ticino free of charge during your stay. You will also receive various discounts of between 20 and 50% on tourist attractions. Valid from the check-in at the hotel until midnight the day of departure.
How far is it to the centre?
Our hotel is located right in the centre of Lugano, just a few meters from the lake promenade, the casino, the city park and the convention centre.
Is there an ATM?
There is an ATM 100 metres from our hotel.
Are there any supermarkets nearby?
There is a supermarket 300 metres from our hotel.
Is there a hairdresser?
There is a hairdresser 50 metres from the hotel – please contact the salon directly to make an appointment.
Payment
Are the prices quoted per person or per room?
The confirmed prices are per room, per night. A tourist tax of CHF 4.20 per person per night is added to these prices – for guests aged 14 and over. When you pay the tourist tax, you will receive the Ticino Ticket, which allows you to use all public transport throughout Ticino free of charge during your stay. You will also receive various discounts of between 20 and 50 % on tourist attractions.
Which credit cards are accepted?
We accept all major credit cards at our reception and in the restaurant: VISA, MasterCard, Postcard, Maestro, Diners Club, American Express, JCB, CUP, Twint, Bitcoin, LUGA, Swiss Lunch Cheques and Reka-Direct.
Can I exchange money at the hotel?
We exchange Euros, Dollars and British pounds at the current daily exchange rate. We do not accept cheques.