Last Updated on 25th May 2022 by Sophie Nadeau
On the shores of the glittering Lake Maggiore and situated in the South of Switzerland, Ascona is a pretty town characterised by bright architecture and laid-back vibe. Each summer, crowds of locals and tourists alike flock to the pretty Swiss village for the ultimate escape. And those who are looking to check in to the ultimate luxury retreat are sure to book a room at the Hotel Eden Roc Ascona…
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Hotel Eden Rock Review: A Luxury Getaway in Ascona
In the heart of the ultimate Swiss holiday destination (seriously, Ascona has even been dubbed the ‘St Tropez of Switzerland’!), you’ll find the five-star hotel and spa, Eden Roc Ascona. Situated on the fringes of Ascona, the resort calls itself ‘A little piece of paradise with a Mediterranean charm’ and even has access to its own private bathing beach.
Home to some 37 suites and 58 rooms, the hotel was built in 1971 and is open all year ’round (many of the alpine hotels in Switzerland and Italy are ‘summer only’ destinations). Each day, the hotel puts on a series of events for guests, some included in the room price, others for an extra fee.
For example, on the day we arrived, we were invited to an aperitif with the hotel manager; this included several glasses of bubbly and some canapés. Other winter excursions on the menu which we didn’t have time to take advantage of included visits to nearby towns, as well as a trip to an Italian Christmas market.
Discovering the art of the Swiss Spa at Eden Roc
Truth be told, the real draw of this luxury accommodation is its wealth of spa and wellness facilities. For an extra fee, you can book various treatments like massages. On-site, you can also expect to find a hairdressing salon and several fitness machines.
Included in the price of the room is the chance to visit the Sauna and Wet Room (part of the sauna includes a private ladies area), as well as swim in a series of pools. In the summer months, there’s an outdoor pool with views onto the Lake, while there remain plenty of winter swimming options too.
For inside the complex and overlooking the palm trees, there’s a hydro pool, Kneipp Bath created using stones from the Maggia River (this hot-cold-hot-cold series of stepped knee height baths is meant to be particularly good for you), and an indoor heated swimming pool.
The Room at Hotel Eden Roc
During our stay in the five-star hotel, myself and my friend, Michelle (@MichelleAHunziker on Instagram) checked into the Junior Suite with a lake view. Complete with two balconies, coffee making facilities, WiFi, a TV, and all of the other amenities you would expect from such an establishment, each evening we came back to our room to enjoy a turn-down service.
Upon first entering into the room, I was surprised as to just how vast our room was! Each morning we would awake to beautiful sunrise views over the lake; the alpine lake, snow-capped peaks, and the smallest corner of Ascona town centre were all visible from our balcony. I can only imagine how magical sitting al fresco during the summer and enjoying your coffee overlooking the lake must be!
Dining at Eden Roc (breakfast and dinner)
Each morning, we enjoyed a full breakfast buffet. This included goodies such as Coffee, tea, and fresh juice was included, while extras (like a Full English, pancakes, or eggs done how you like) could be ordered from a menu on the table. While we stayed at the hotel half-board, for an extra fee, you can dine full-board in the hotel (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
The hotel is home to several restaurants. However, as we visited in the low season (the middle of December), only one restaurant was still open for the winter, the La Brezza Winter Edition restaurant, which serves all kinds of Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Though everything on the menu offered meat or fish, staff were incredibly accommodating of my dietary needs (I’m a veggie!). Truth be told, my favourite meal was on the second night, where I enjoyed a creamy soup followed by a rich risotto. Dessert was simply sweet and everything was beautifully presented.
Things to do in Ascona, Switzerland
If you’re looking for a European weekend break in Southern Switzerland, then I highly recommend spending some time getting to know Locarno and its surrounds. Easy to reach via public transport (Zurich Central Station to Locarno takes around two and a half hours), Locarno is home to its own Sacro Monte and plenty of pretty streets.
When we stayed in the hotel, we took the time to truly enjoy old town Ascona, wandering around in search of the best views and seeing where our feet would take us. We also had the time to check out the nearby Locarno Christmas Market.
Think car-free cobbled lanes and some seriously stunning churches. Though the town is best enjoyed in the golden hour, when the light is at its best, it was pretty magical all day long (as was the weather!)
If you’re looking for even more information and inspiration, then be sure to check out our guide to the best-kept secrets of Switzerland. For an idea on where to go and how long to spend there, be sure to check out our guide on ‘how to spend three days in Switzerland‘ and ‘how to spend one week in Switzerland’.
I won a hotel stay at the Eden Roc back in December 0f 2017 by participating in a competition on Instagram. Michelle and I finally made it to the hotel in December of 2018. All opinions, words, and photos are my own!
Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A fan of all things France related, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She currently splits her time between Paris and London. Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.