Locarno Guide
4-star hotel: the criteria behind the hotel star rating
Anyone planning a hotel holiday is looking for an outstanding place to stay – one that offers well-appointed rooms and attentive service, among other things. An important indicator of a hotel's standards is its star rating. A 4-star hotel, for instance, meets very strict requirements and delights its guests as a result.
Hotel La Palma au Lac in Locarno is one such 4-star hotel. Our entire team works with dedication to ensure we always live up to this rating. Below, we explain how hotel star ratings are awarded.
How does a hotel become a 4-star hotel?
It is usually quite easy to tell whether a hotel meets the highest standards, as many hotels hold a rating with a certain number of stars – anywhere from one to five. In Switzerland, hotels are classified by two associations:
Their aim is to guarantee the high quality of Swiss hotels and similar accommodation. With the star rating, they also seek to provide holidaymakers with maximum transparency and clear guidance.
To obtain a star rating, the hotel's management must apply to one of the associations. An inspection then takes place, during which the hotel is assessed against specific, predefined criteria. These criteria are open for anyone to consult, so the management faces no surprises during the inspection.
Key criteria include, for example:
- Room and suite amenities
- Sleeping comfort and bed size
- Soundproofing and air conditioning in rooms and suites
- Bathroom comfort
- Hotel entrance area
- Food and drink
Certain services offered by the hotel, such as ironing or a limousine service, also count towards the rating. Some criteria are mandatory for a hotel to obtain a particular star rating. Four- and five-star hotels, for instance, must change the bed linen at least twice a week – and daily at the guest's request.
Each criterion is worth a certain number of points, and the total determines the hotel's star rating. This rating matters a great deal to hotels: it acts as a kind of calling card, showing potential guests that they are dealing with a high-quality establishment. It is also good advertising and attracts holidaymakers.
What makes a 4-star hotel?
A 4-star hotel meets the high expectations of its guests. Among other things, its facilities and furnishings must be of high quality and comfortable, and the interior must be coordinated in terms of colours, shapes and materials.
How does a 4-star hotel in Switzerland differ from similarly rated hotels in other countries?
Hotel star ratings exist in many countries. For a long time, however, national hotel associations applied different criteria when assessing hotels. As a result, a Swiss 4-star hotel was hard to compare with a similarly rated hotel in Spain or Greece.
To standardise star ratings, several national hotel associations founded the Hotelstars Union at the end of 2009, with HotellerieSuisse among its founding members. Thanks to standardised assessment criteria, hotels can now be compared across many European countries. Anyone staying at a Swiss 4-star hotel can therefore expect a similar standard to that of a Hungarian hotel with the same rating.
Hotel La Palma au Lac: stay at a luxurious hotel in Locarno
If you are planning a holiday in beautiful Locarno, Hotel La Palma au Lac is one of the top addresses. Our hotel has 73 rooms, suites and apartments that meet the highest standards. Various sizes are available to book, from the Classic Single Room to the Junior Suite and the Family Apartment. Many of our rooms offer wonderful views over picturesque Lake Maggiore.
Every room is exceptionally spacious and generously equipped, with a flat-screen TV, minibar and free Wi-Fi as standard. Each room also has a safe where you can store your valuables while you explore Locarno.
Dining at Hotel La Palma au Lac
Hotel La Palma au Lac has not one but two restaurants to take care of your culinary needs. The Ristorante La Palma is one of the finest venues in all of Locarno. Enjoy refined cuisine and attentive service.
Savour a starter, main course and dessert while raising a glass of excellent wine. Of course, the Ristorante La Palma also serves other drinks, such as cocktails and a variety of coffees.
Our hotel is also home to Napulé Locarno, a branch of the well-known pizzeria Napulé, whose mission is to bring authentic Neapolitan pizza to Switzerland.
The man behind these incomparably delicious pizzas is three-time world pizza champion Raffaele Tromiro. Born in Naples, he is devoted to what is probably his home city's most famous culinary achievement. The dough is made to a special recipe and left to rise slowly, then baked in a wood-fired oven – true to Neapolitan tradition.
Thai massages in the heart of Ticino
A truly perfect stay at a 4-star hotel also includes the occasional visit to the spa. At Hotel La Palma au Lac, the Palm Leaf SPA by Gold Elephant awaits, with massages inspired by traditional Thai spa culture – the perfect way to escape the stresses of everyday life and recharge your batteries.
Unwind with a traditional Thai massage or treat yourself to a massage with warm aromatic oils. The range includes a variety of massages and treatments, which you can book directly at the spa or at reception.
Our spa area also features saunas, pools and a whirlpool. On the terrace above the water, you can soak up the sunshine while enjoying views of the lake.
Your event at our hotel
Our hotel is also the ideal venue for events and seminars. We have a 120-square-metre seminar room that can accommodate up to 65 people, depending on the seating arrangement. The necessary equipment, such as a projector and flipchart, is of course provided. For corporate events, we will be happy to put together a special offer including accommodation and breakfast for all guests.
Locarno's cultural diversity
When you choose our 4-star hotel in Locarno, you are opting for a stay in a vibrant town. Not only is it one of the warmest towns in Switzerland, picturesquely set on Lake Maggiore – it also has a wealth of culture to offer.
Every year, for example, Locarno hosts its famous Film Festival, during which numerous films are screened on the Piazza Grande. The 8000 spectators watch the films on one of the largest screens in Europe. The festival's best film is ultimately awarded the Golden Leopard.
The Piazza Grande is also the venue for Moon&Stars, Locarno's annual concert series. A range of international musicians perform on the square, entertaining locals and visitors alike.
Get in touch with Hotel La Palma au Lac
Do you have any questions about our 4-star hotel and our wide range of services? Simply use our contact form to send us a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.