Hotel La Palma reinvents itself

There is something quietly compelling about a hotel that refuses to rest on its laurels. Perched above the shimmering waters of Lake Maggiore in Muralto-Locarno, Hotel La Palma has long been one of the region’s most cherished addresses. But after a sweeping transformation that has taken years to complete and demanded investments of nearly 13 million Swiss francs, the historic property is stepping boldly into a new era, without, crucially, losing sight of what made it special in the first place.

The renovation unfolded in two distinct phases. The first, amounting to 8.2 million Swiss francs, addressed the building’s bones: drainage, acoustic insulation, electrical systems, the car park and laundry facilities, as well as a thorough restoration of the external facades, terracing, signage and core infrastructure. It was the sort of unglamorous, essential work that rarely makes for inspiring copy, but which speaks volumes about a proprietor’s long-term commitment. The second phase, exceeding 4.5 million francs, brought the hotel’s technical systems fully in line with the latest fire safety regulations and certifications, a detail that guests may never notice, but which underpins the quietly confident atmosphere of the place. The transformation was completed with a top-to-bottom reimagining of the guest rooms, now conceived as elegant, light-filled spaces where natural materials and warm tones invite genuine rest.

The man behind this vision is Pajko Redzepagic, the Slovenian-born entrepreneur who purchased the hotel two decades ago and has since poured both capital and conviction into its development. Where others might have been tempted by the easy revenue of a franchise arrangement, he declined, a choice that says a great deal about how he views the property. Today, his two daughters, Ema, an economist, and Azra, a trained hotel manager, are actively involved in the family business, ensuring that the second generation carries this ethos forward. At the helm of day-to-day operations is Philipp Schaerer, appointed General Manager in November 2025. With more than twenty years in the hospitality industry (including a significant tenure with the Tertianum Group) Schaerer brings precisely the blend of strategic rigour and human warmth that a property of this kind demands. He is, by all accounts, a man who understands both the spreadsheet and the soul of a hotel. Married to a local Ticino woman and father to two daughters, he is also, in a rather pleasing way, part of the community he now serves.

The hotel itself offers 73 rooms, 52 of which face the lake, and on a clear morning, with the Alps reflected in the still water below, it is not difficult to understand why guests return year after year. The remaining 21 rooms look towards the hills and are particularly well-suited to longer stays. A team of thirty full-time staff swells to around fifty during the high season, and the emphasis throughout is on anticipating needs rather than merely responding to them. The culinary offering deserves particular mention. Executive Chef Antonino Messina brings with him a remarkable pedigree: he has worked in three-Michelin-starred kitchens, including the celebrated Italian restaurant Perbellini, trained alongside the legendary Gualtiero Marchesi, and earned 15 Gault&Millau points during his time in Switzerland. His cooking at La Palma is rooted in the flavours of his native Sicily (honest, seasonal and generous) yet elevated by a technique honed across decades in some of Europe’s finest kitchens. The restaurant is overseen by Luca Busato, who serves as both Food & Beverage Manager and Deputy Director, a pairing that ensures the dining experience is as carefully managed as it is genuinely enjoyable.

Beyond the main restaurant, guests can choose from the Lounge Bar, the Napulé Pizza Locarno pizzeria, and a spacious covered terrace that works equally well for a long Sunday brunch or a quiet weekday dinner. The hotel also houses a spa, a fitness centre open to outside visitors, and an overall atmosphere that aims to attract not only hotel guests but the local community as well. That sense of connection to the territory is no mere marketing flourish. Hotel La Palma has long been a cornerstone of the Locarno Film Festival, welcoming international guests and industry professionals each summer, and it is now actively participating in Ticino365, a regional initiative designed to extend the tourist season beyond the traditional summer months. Through tailored offers and a genuine engagement with the rhythms of the local calendar, the hotel is positioning itself as a year-round destination rather than a seasonal one.

What emerges from all of this is a portrait of a hotel that has invested seriously in its own future while remaining, at heart, itself.

Discover more @ www.lapalmaaulac.com