The word “Kurhaus,” taken literally, means “cure house,” and that’s what the Kurhaus Cademario has always been, from its founding in 1914 as a care home or sanatorium to its current incarnation as a high-end spa retreat. Likewise, the shores of Switzerland’s Lake Lugano have always been a destination for travelers in search of a cure, whether a literal one or just a spell of rest and relaxation.

Kurhaus Cademario sits in a particularly auspicious position, on a sunny south-facing mountainside overlooking the lake and the panorama of the mountains beyond. Its 82 rooms and suites range from a generous 22 square meters to a palatial 45, and all are decorated in a contemporary style that pays tribute to the past while never looking dated — and all are equipped with up-to-date comforts and views of either the lake or the gardens.

In any Swiss Alpine luxury hotel, you can expect an extraordinarily lavish and well-equipped spa, and Kurhaus Cademario’s DOT.Spa is certainly that. And you can also expect a culinary approach that’s not just healthful and refined but abundant — from the pool bar to the Agra Bar to La Cucina, you’re certainly never at risk of going without food or drink.