Are you looking for a vegan hotel Switzerland stay with lake views, sunshine, and Italian charm? In this episode of The World Vegan Travel Podcast, we meet Isabella Bellani from Garden Hotel Primavera in Brissago, Switzerland.
Isabella owns the hotel with her husband, Maurizio. Together, they turned an old empty hotel into a 100% vegan stay on Lake Maggiore. The hotel is in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. It is a peaceful place with vegan breakfasts, lake views, yoga, and easy access to nature.
In this episode, Isabella shares the story behind the hotel. She also tells us why Lake Maggiore is such a special place for vegan travelers. You will hear about Brissago, the Brissago Islands, Ascona, Cannobio, and the Borromean Islands. Isabella also shares a special offer for younger travelers, so make sure you listen to the full episode.
From Hunter’s Lodge to Vegan Haven
Garden Hotel Primavera has an unusual story. Before Isabella and Maurizio took it over, the building had been empty for years. Before that, it belonged to a hunter and had a restaurant that served a lot of meat.
At first, they did not plan to open a vegan hotel. But after they signed for the building, they realised something important. They are vegan, so the hotel had to match their values too.
This was not always easy. Ticino has strong food traditions. Many people love cheese, fondue, and meat. So a 100% vegan hotel was a big change for the area.
Over time, the local community accepted the hotel. Today, many non-vegan guests also stay there. They enjoy the food, the calm feeling, and the beautiful views. Garden Hotel Primavera now helps more people discover vegan travel in a kind and welcoming way.
Ticino: Italian Charm with Swiss Style
Ticino is a special part of Switzerland. It has Italian language and culture, but it also has Swiss order, clean towns, and excellent public transport.
Brissago is close to Italy and sits on Lake Maggiore. Many travelers know Lake Como, but Isabella believes Lake Maggiore is just as beautiful. It has open views, lovely islands, gardens, old villages, and a peaceful lake feeling.
Ticino is also known for its sunny climate. Isabella says it is called the “sunny terrace of Switzerland.” This makes it a great place for travelers who want lakes, mountains, and warmer weather.
The Hotel Experience
Garden Hotel Primavera has around 20 to 22 rooms. Many rooms have beautiful views of Lake Maggiore. Some rooms also have terraces where guests can sit outside and relax.
The hotel no longer has a full restaurant. Instead, Isabella and Maurizio focus on vegan breakfast, brunch, and wellness. Guests can enjoy yoga, Pilates, massages, small retreats, quiet terraces, and a relaxed lobby with books and coffee.
The vegan breakfast is very popular. Some people even come to the hotel just for breakfast, even if they are staying somewhere else.
This makes the hotel feel warm and personal. It is not only a place to sleep. It is a place to slow down, eat well, and enjoy the view.
Vegan Food in Brissago
One lovely part of this story is how Garden Hotel Primavera has helped Brissago become more vegan-friendly.
The hotel works with Kalea Restaurant, which is close to the lake. Kalea offers a special vegan menu for hotel guests. This means travelers can enjoy dinner by the water without worrying about vegan options.
Other local restaurants now offer vegan meals too. Isabella explains that these are not just plain pasta or grilled vegetables. Many chefs have created thoughtful plant-based dishes.
This is important because Brissago is a small town. In many small towns, vegan options can be limited. But here, one vegan hotel has helped create more choice for everyone.
The Perfect Five-Day Itinerary on Lake Maggiore
Stay at Garden Hotel Primavera and enjoy their vegan breakfast buffet each morning, served with a beautiful view of Lake Maggiore.
Day 1: Explore Brissago, the Land of Pirates
Start your day with a yoga session at Garden Hotel Primavera. Later in the morning, go on a treasure hunt through Brissago and learn more about the village’s history. For lunch, enjoy a meal by the lake at Kalea, a local restaurant that works with the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Leoncavallo Museum, which is dedicated to the famous composer and librettist from Napoli. End the day with dinner at Caesar Restaurant, only a few minutes from the hotel.
Day 2: Visit the Brissago Islands and Ascona
Catch the boat at Brissago Harbor and visit the Brissago Islands, home to the only botanical garden on water in Switzerland. In the afternoon, visit Ascona and enjoy its beautiful old town, lake promenade, shops, and restaurants.
Day 3: Cross into Italy and Visit Cannobio
After a delicious breakfast, leave Brissago and visit the historic village of Cannobio. This pretty Italian town has cobblestone streets, lake views, and small local shops. In the afternoon, return to Switzerland and visit Locarno, a lively city with many restaurants that offer vegan options.
Day 4: Discover the Borromean Islands
Spend the day visiting the Borromean Islands. Explore Isola Bella, its magical palace, and its beautiful gardens. Then have lunch on Isola dei Pescatori before returning to Brissago in time for a spritz at Bahia Bar on the lake shore.
Day 5: Hike Above Lake Maggiore
There are many wonderful hikes near Brissago. Garden Hotel Primavera can prepare a vegan lunchbox, so you can head out for the day and enjoy the views. One beautiful option is Pizzo Leone, a scenic hike above Brissago with breathtaking views over Lake Maggiore.
There is also a special 15% discount for travelers under 25, which Isabella mentions in the episode. So make sure you listen before planning your Ticino escape.
Getting to Brissago Without a Car
Brissago may sound remote, but it is easy to reach.
You can fly into Zurich and take the train to Locarno. From Locarno, it is a short bus ride to Brissago.
You can also fly into Milano Malpensa in Italy and take a bus along the lake.
Once you arrive, you do not need a car. You can use buses, boats, bikes, and e-bikes. Swiss transport is easy, clean, and reliable.
Why This Vegan Hotel Switzerland Stay Is Special
Garden Hotel Primavera is more than a hotel.
It shows how vegan values can become part of travel, food, and local life.
Guests can wake up to lake views, enjoy a plant-based breakfast, take a boat to an island garden, and eat vegan food in a small Swiss village.
That is what makes this vegan hotel Switzerland episode so inspiring.
It shows that travel can match your values.
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- How Isabella and Maurizio transformed an empty hotel into Garden Hotel Primavera.
- Why this vegan hotel in Switzerland is such a special stay for plant-based travelers.
- What makes Brissago, Ticino, and Lake Maggiore so beautiful to visit.
- How local restaurants near the hotel are adding more thoughtful vegan options.
- Isabella’s 5-day itinerary, including island gardens, Italian villages, hiking, and lake views.
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Switzerland
- Luxury Vegan Hotels | Expert Insider on Transforming Travel
- Vegan Lake Garda | Discover Il Mansio, a Luxury Vegan Hotel
- Vegan Italy Hotel | Paradiso Pure Living in the Dolomites
- Vegan Helsinki Guide | Finnish Saunas, Pies & Northern Lights
