Castello del Sole Beach Resort & SPA 

Ticino sunshine: a delight for the eyes and the palate

Located in sun-drenched Ascona, the Castello del Sole demonstrates that a five-star establishment can also be perfectly eco-compatible and environment-friendly while ensuring that resources are conserved. The Castello del Sole is a shining example of the farm-to-table concept in practice. Most of the products used here are regional and seasonal – and some of them are even grown on the property’s own farm. The nose-to-tail principle is applied in the hotel’s on-site restaurants: this means that the entire animal is utilised wherever possible. The Locanda Barbarossa restaurant has also been awarded the Green Star for sustainability.

Used soaps are sent to the SapoCycle organisation which uses them to manufacture life-saving hygiene products for people living in poverty. Insofar as possible, the Castello follows a plastic-free daily routine; recyclable or biodegradable materials are deliberately chosen for all the resources used.

The bird conservation area from the foundation Bolle di Magazine, part of the Castello del Sole’s park, is a delight for the eyes and ears. This extensive bird reserve nestles between the fields of Terreni alla Maggia with their colourful vegetation and the deep blue waters of Lake Maggiore. It is one of the most valuable nature reserves on the southern side of the Swiss Alps, and is classified as a water and migratory bird conservation area of national importance. Although people are not allowed to enter this zone, hotel guests can relax as they listen to the birdsong.

Over one third of the hotel’s employees come from the surrounding region; as well as providing targeted training and education for them, the Castello del Sole also commits to offering them long-term employment. The hotel has received the «Earth check» integration certificate and is also compliant with ISO 14001.