Overlooking Lake Maggiore and immersed in the greenery of the centuries-old Muralto park, Hotel La Palma begins a new chapter in its history. The structure, for decades a point of reference for hospitality in the Locarno area, today presents itself with a renewed face, the result of a major investment plan that has redefined its spaces, services and future prospects.
The renovation project, launched in recent years, involved a total investment of nearly 13 million Swiss francs over the course of twenty years. The two most recent phases alone accounted for over 12,7 million francs. This complex project encompassed both the structural and technological and functional aspects of the building.
A two-phase intervention
The first phase, worth 8,2 million francs, involved essential structural work: sewer systems, soundproofing, electrical systems, a garage, and a laundry room. These were followed by the restoration of the facades, the restoration of the terraces, the renewal of the signage, and the modernization of the main infrastructure.
Subsequently, a further investment of over 4,5 million francs allowed the technical systems to be fully upgraded to the latest regulations, with particular attention to safety standards and fire safety certifications.
The process was finally completed with the renovation of the rooms, now redesigned according to criteria of contemporary comfort, functionality and elegance.
Contemporary hospitality in a historic setting
Hotel La Palma has 73 rooms, 52 of which overlook the lake and 21 overlook the hillside. The rooms, featuring natural materials, warm tones, and clean lines, were designed to offer a welcoming atmosphere, suitable for both short and long stays.
The offering is rounded out with a spa, a fitness center also open to external guests, the Mediterranean restaurant La Palma, the Lounge Bar, the Napulé Pizza Locarno pizzeria, and a spacious covered terrace, designed as a meeting place for guests and residents year-round.
The facility thus intends to consolidate its role not only as a tourist destination, but also as a social space and a reference point for the local area.
Independent management and a long-term vision
The hotel is owned by Pajko Redzepagic, a Slovenian entrepreneur who acquired the property twenty years ago. During this time, he has chosen to pursue direct management, eschewing franchising options to preserve the property's identity and develop its potential independently.
Today, the second generation of the family also works alongside him: his daughters Ema, an economist, and Azra, a hotel manager. This continuity strengthens the long-term vision and the connection to the local area.
Philipp Schaerer at the helm
Effective November 1, 2025, the general management will be entrusted to Philipp Schaerer, a professional with over twenty years of experience in the hospitality industry. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in strategic leadership, managing complex projects, and developing high-performance teams.
His experience at the Tertianum Group has helped consolidate a management approach based on innovation, customer focus, and continuous improvement. Schaerer focuses on a hospitality model that combines high quality standards, operational sustainability, and the development of human resources.
With a profound knowledge of the luxury sector and the specificities of the region, he is called upon to lead a phase of further consolidation of the structure, aimed at an increasingly demanding Swiss and international clientele.
Mediterranean cuisine with an international identity
One of the key elements of Hotel La Palma's new offering is its culinary offering. The kitchen is headed by Executive Chef Antonino Messina, a professional with a solid international background, gained in high-profile establishments and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Notable experiences include collaborations with the three-Michelin-starred Perbellini restaurant and positions in Switzerland at the Romantik Hotel The Alpina Mountain Resort & Spa and the Hotel Chlosterhof, where he was awarded 15 Gault&Millau points.
Having trained alongside Gualtiero Marchesi, Messina offers cuisine that combines technique, seasonality, and the valorization of ingredients. His dishes, clearly Mediterranean in character, are enriched with contemporary and international influences, while maintaining authenticity, balance, and well-being at their core.
The restaurant is coordinated by Luca Busato, Food & Beverage Manager and Deputy Director, who helps define a proposal consistent with the positioning of the structure.
A team at the center of the experience
The staff currently numbers around thirty, a number that increases to around fifty during the high season. The hospitality strategy focuses on personalized service, anticipating the needs of regular customers and guiding new guests as they discover the destination.
In this context, human capital represents one of the distinctive elements of the offering, in line with a vision of hospitality based on relationships, care, and the quality of the experience.
Four-season tourism and local development
Hotel La Palma is actively participating in the deseasonalization strategy promoted by Ticino365. Through an offering tailored to the different seasons, the facility aims to attract new tourist flows and encourage year-round enjoyment of the area.
Excursions, wellness options, outdoor activities, cultural itineraries, and seasonal dining are the tools the hotel uses to meet the growing demand for authentic, sustainable, and personalized experiences.
A point of reference for the Locarno area
Of particular significance is the relationship with the Locarno Film Festival, an event of international importance during which Hotel La Palma confirms itself as a privileged destination for guests, professionals, and industry operators.
The facility thus contributes not only to hospitality, but also to promoting the area's image, strengthening Lake Maggiore's position as a leading international tourist destination.
Tradition and innovation in balance
With the completion of its renovation, Hotel La Palma presents itself as a place capable of combining its historical heritage with the demands of contemporary hospitality.
Renovated spaces, independent management, a quality gastronomic offering, and strong local integration define the profile of a facility that looks to the future without sacrificing its identity.
