Own a piece of
MINUSIO
Unique opportunity for non-residents owning Swiss real-estate,
located right on the shore of Lago Maggiore with undisturbed view of the lake.
Own a piece of
Highlights
Mediterranean climate
Home of Ticinese merlot
Average 2,300 hrs sunshine per year
Swiss healthcare
Italian cuisine and flavours
Swiss reliability and consistency
Everything is within reach
Since the longest railway tunnel in the world, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, has been opened Zürich Central Station can be reached in about only 2 hours by train from Minusio.
The nearest airport is Malpensa Milan 120 km from Minusio.
Fancy some skiing? Zermatt/Verbier is only 120 km and Sankt Moritz is 170 km away.
Ticino
The sunniest spot in Switzerland with an average of 2,300 hours of sunshine a year, this region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers.
Attracted by the picturesque towns and villages around the lake, the stunning natural beauty of the nearby valleys and a Mediterranean climate, it’s not hard to see why the southernmost canton appeals.
Ticino is Italian-speaking and the architecture, lifestyle and cuisine have all been influenced by the southern neighbours over the centuries. Most residents also speak German, French and some English, and English is widely spoken at tourist sites.
It may not be the largest – in fact, only about a quarter of Lake Maggiore belongs to Switzerland – but it is certainly one of the prettiest lakes in Switzerland with the Swiss part often referred to as Lake Locarno.
Minusio is a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. Minusio, Muralto and Locarno have grown together over the centuries and one will not even notice entering the next one while walking by the lake from relaxed Minusio towards the centre in Locarno.
Amongst the natural beauty and tranquillity southern plants such as palm or lemon trees flourish in both Minusio and Locarno and give these gems their special charm. Splendid upper-town palazzi house fine art collections and the lakefront promenade with a public botanic garden offers relaxed strolling.
CARDADA-CIMETTA
A TREAT FOR MOUNTAIN LOVERS!
From Orselina you can reach Cardada by cable car – the local Locarno mountain is worth a trip at any time of the year. The panoramic view from its viewing platform is utterly breath-taking. And for the more intrepid explorer who’d like to go even higher, the chairlift takes you up to Cimetta. Both are ideal starting points for fantastic walking and hiking. Cimetta also offers skiing in the winter with its four ski-lifts.
LIDO LOCARNO & SPA
FUN, WELLNESS & RELAXATION
Everyone loves it here, whether they visit for sport or wellness: the complex has many different indoor and outdoor pools, water slides and so much more. Bathing rituals are a revered activity at the swimming and sauna complex of the Termali Salini & Spa Lido Locarno. This oasis of calm invites you to literally dive into another world.
VERZASCA VALLEY
THE HEART OF TICINO
The somewhat barren and untamed Verzasca Valley is predominantly characterised by steep slopes and countless waterfalls. But this area also has a “different side”: the mouth of the valley has a mild, Mediterranean climate in which even palm trees flourish. With fabulous walking and hiking trails around the lake or in the mountains, Ticino makes the heart of every visitor beat a little faster.
THE MAGGIA VALLEY
A MAGICAL VALLEY
The stunning Maggia Valley stretches out from Locarno to meander through the Alps. With its characteristic jagged rock faces, mountain lakes and glaciers, this area also offers a rich green landscape. The grottos are a special favourite with their typical local specialities. Active holidaymakers come here especially to enjoy the endless walking and hiking, many use the rocks and the ponds for bathing in the summer.
CENTOVALLI
ROMANTIC VILLAGES & WONDERFUL EXCURSIONS
Centovalli is a region bursting with contrasts: Mediterranean plant life blends into forests, interspersed with wild and craggy cliffs. The typical stone-built houses of this area tell a tale of how times were once difficult here. This is an area which is proud of its traditional food: don’t miss the opportunity to try polenta, risotto, minestrone, salami and cheese.
ASCONA
THE JEWEL ON LAKE MAGGIORE
The romantic resort of Ascona is also Switzerland’s lowest lying town and is mainly famous for its Mediterranean climate. The pristine and exceptionally maintained old town is full of high class boutiques and art galleries and a leisurely stroll along the promenade is well worth it! A special highlight of the many different cultural events is “JazzAscona”.
SPLASH & SPA
THE NEW WATER PARK AND SPA
At the Splash & Spa Tamaro in Rivera, you can relax and have fun all day long. In what is probably the most modern water park in Europe, huge swimming pools and spectacular water slides await visitors for pure bathing pleasure. If rest and relaxation are more your thing, then a unique spa area “with all the trimmings” is well worth a visit.
LOCARNO FILM FESTIVAL
Minusio - The world capital of auteur cinema
Over the course of its 75-year history, the Locarno Film Festival has become one of the most important film events in the world, in one of the most charming locations. Situated between the lake and the mountains, every summer the entire Swiss-Italian city, in the heart of Europe, turns into the capital of international cinema, bringing the most innovative visions to the screen. It’s eleven days of stars, new talents, professionals and, most importantly, the audience. All hotels are fully booked and the opening party is held just next to our premises.
MONTE TAMARO
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
In recent years, Monte Tamaro has become synonymous with action and fun. This natural adventure park is packed full of so many opportunities for pure adrenaline addicts and mountain bikers can really “run riot” here. The numerous hiking trails give a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding valleys reaching as far as the Matterhorn.
LOCARNO
THE CITY WITH AN INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR
Locarno has a special draw for its visitors, with a cosmopolitan ambience which has not detracted from its accessible appeal. Exciting events and concerts with internationally renowned artists are held every year on the Piazza Grande in Locarno centre. The cultural high point has to be the annual film festival screenings which take place in August
Hotel Campagna
In a nutshell
superior location
unique opportunity for non-residents owning Swiss real-estate which may provide dedicated, exclusive use for future owner(s)
4 story, 28 room hotel with luxury day spa (total 1,347 m2)
construction in progress, achieved app. 35% of completion
finishes and styles subject to new owner’s decision
hotel management company is engaged for hotel & restaurant operation
bank financing is available for the next phase of the construction
Hotel Campagna, together with its terrace restaurant, was a favorite spot for locals and tourists for decades. It has most probably ranked as one of the top family-friendly picks in Minusio thanks to its quiet tranquil location and undisturbed lake view from its terraces.
Sitting under the old trees or in the shade of hundred years old pergolas while sipping your pre-dinner drink and browsing the daily seasonal dishes handwritten on the black chalkboard, of course in Italian, you cannot resist the feeling time has stopped around you. To make this recharging experience complete, you may gaze the glittering sun on the peaceful blue-green lake and reset yourself while you finish your homemade Tiramisu.
Should your batteries require more than only a few hours of this experience? Why not stay in one of the rooms of Campagna and enjoy its lounges and gardens enabling the guests to enjoy a holiday like the aristocrats of times gone by: far from the crowd, surrounded by every comfort imaginable and looking out over one of the most beautiful views in the world. The hotel offers luxury views amid the comforts and a beautiful home where guests enjoy a supremely relaxing stay in harmonious surroundings amid the beauty of nature.
Staying here is a luxury itself.
Luxury is about the little things. A window with a view of the indigo blue lake, a beautiful scenic backdrop of the slopes of Mount Tamaro, a dish prepared with skill and passion and served with a smile. A room where you feel at home as soon as you open the door. This place combines the splendor of superior enhancement with some of the finest Ticinese landscapes.
Here, nature and history combine to create a one of a kind setting where hospitality is a life philosophy and harmony is a serene palette of colours, a gently undulating coastline, slender cypresses ruffled by gentlest of breezes from the lake. Lit by the warm glow of natural sunlight blending with forms, colours, fragrances and sounds…
Actual view from the terrace
Click the image to zoom in
The Property
The property is located in the Nucleo heart of Minusio, by the side of the oldest religious building in the municipality, San Quirico in Rivapiana, and with water access to Lago Maggiore.
Every room of the property boasts magnificent views of the Campanile of San Quirico, its immaculately manicured garden with the deep indigo background of the lake and Mt. Tamaro summiting its beautiful 2,000 m apex.
The property is built on a divisible plot (total 2,730 m2), its southern part represents one of the last remaining undeveloped infill land parcels on the Swiss shore of Lago Maggiore.
This unique infill land for future development may provide solid foundation for additional residential or commercial building(s) and structure(s) with undisturbed lake and background mountain views and direct access to the lake.
The future owner may develop and build an exquisite, completely private and separate structure on this southern available plot. As part of the hotel operation this presidential suite/villa may serve also for the benefit or even dedicated use for the future owner(s)’ themselves or their friends and families.
A completely independent luxury private villa can also be built on this adjacent plot, it is up to the desire of the future owner. The services of the hotel would still be within easy reach. There are endless possibilities how this gem should look like and operate in the future…
To maximize the potential of the property and benefit from the continuously increasing demand for parking lots, a multi-story, underground parking facility could also be hidden into the slopes. The massive concrete structure underground would then serve as a solid base for any dwellings the future owner may dream of on the southern inlet of the plot.
Legal Framework
The Swiss have long restricted the sale of property to foreigners. Cantonal authorization is needed before gaining title. Each canton has slightly different rules and the rules even vary from commune to commune within the canton. In addition, the Federal government has set an annual quota of permits for non-resident foreigners seeking to acquire property in Switzerland.
Many coveted holiday regions of the world include a large number of holiday apartments which are full in the high season and often empty in the off-season, with owners who pay little tax at these locations. Local communities provide and maintain an extensive infrastructure for these peak times.
Switzerland, and Ticino, enforce certain regulations for homeowners in the area:
- If you want to spend most of your time in Ticino and Switzerland, you must move your main residence to your Swiss home.
- If you are not Swiss and do not already live in Switzerland and wish to buy a large property in Ticino, you must also move your main residence here.
- A second home (or vacation/holiday home) in Ticino is possible for those who are Swiss or already live in Switzerland and do not want to spend the majority of their time in Ticino. This is also possible for non-Swiss owners who live abroad and use their Ticino property for holidays only. These are limited to homes with a maximum of 200 m2 of living space and 1000 m2 of land.
However, the property itself and its special status can offer a unique opportunity for the owner combining substantial cash-inflow from the hospitality operation and benefits risen from the dedicated use whilst meeting all statutory requirements for property owners.
Development to date
A project aiming to upgrade the property with modern-day features meeting 21st century requirements, including a day spa wellness, green energy solutions, combining contemporary architecture and design with Ticinese legacy, started in 2015.
Current ownership has invested not only millions but significant management efforts over the years into demolition, salvage, remediation and infrastructure, in an effort to revitalize Hotel Campagna.
Additionally, they have worked diligently with local, cantonal and state authorities and agencies, as well as local NGOs to streamline interests and requirements of all parties into a valid building license.
As a result of such efforts multiple stage building licenses were obtained and actual development started in 2019.
There was a short stand-by stage in 2020 due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
The development is expected to progress without interruptions by COVID related disruptions and be finished by 2023.
Should the new owner be on board as early as this year, a wide range of choices for customized interior design and finishes of the property could still be implied. The creative touch according to the taste and preferences of the new owner would still go without significant additional cost for alteration.