Belle Époque back on Lake Maggiore

The Grand Hotel Locarno has been crumbling away for almost 20 years. Once a symbol of glamorous tourism on Lake Maggiore, then empty and forgotten for years. Now the Artioli family, together with the Artisa Group, Arabella Hospitality and Marriott, is taking decisive action. The listed building is set to reopen as a five-star Luxury Collection resort in the first quarter of 2027. A new start that will recharge Ticino's tourism industry.

The Grand Hotel Locarno was opened in 1876 and is one of the most famous historic hotel properties in Switzerland. What was considered the epitome of sophisticated travel in the Belle Époque fell into disrepair over the decades. The Artisa Group under Alain Artioli took over the hotel with a clear mission: to preserve the historical substance while creating international luxury standards. The lease agreement with Arabella Hospitality was signed in Zurich in December 2024 and construction began in August 2024.

What is being built
The plans include 110 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a bar, a wellness and spa area, conference rooms and a ballroom ensemble. The 4000 square meter garden will be completely redesigned. The concept was designed by Ticino star architect Ivano Gianola. Historic stucco work, a Murano chandelier and ornamental wall paintings will be preserved and restored. The hotel is expected to employ around 100 people when it opens.

Monument protection meets luxury standards
The real challenge lies not in the capital, but in the balance. Reconciling conservation requirements, technical renovation and international hotel standards is a complex trade. What historical substance remains must nevertheless meet the demands of a five-star Marriott Group hotel. Artisa CEO Flavio Petraglio is convinced that this will succeed. The hotel is to become a flagship for the Locarno region and the canton. Far beyond Switzerland.

A signal for tourism in Ticino
For Locarno and the canton, the reopening is more than just a hotel project. Historic top hotels have a disproportionate impact. They enhance the surroundings, strengthen the brand of a location and generate international visibility. In a market that is increasingly focusing on profile and quality of experience, the Grand Hotel Locarno is a potential lever for tourism on Lake Maggiore as a whole. If the project is a success, it will become a new benchmark for dealing with listed hospitality properties in Switzerland.

Sources: Arabella Hospitality / Grand Hotel Locarno, Artisa; Photo: Grand Hotel Locarno