With the arrival of spring, The Castle of the Sun returns to welcome guests in his large estate to Ascona, officially marking the start of the 2026 season starting March 27. Nestled in 140 hectares of lake and countryside, the resort confirms a proposition that combines comfort, discretion, and a concept of luxury geared toward slower pace and widespread well-being.
The property features 79 rooms and suites, a private beach, and a 2.500-square-meter wellness area. Together, they create an experience that balances relaxation and connection with the natural environment, in a setting that remains among the most recognizable in Ticino hospitality.
According to the general manager Simon V. Jenny, the new season opens with positive signs, supported by solid domestic demand and growing interest in programs related to health, holistic wellness and longevity.
An identity rooted in the territory
The resort's character stems from the combination of landscape, local culture, and hospitality. Surrounded by parks, vineyards, and open spaces, The Castle of the Sun It stands out for its atmosphere that combines Mediterranean lightness and Ticino authenticity.
The wellness offering also fits into this context: a bio-sauna, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, and indoor and outdoor pools form the core of a regenerating program. Specialized treatments and the presence of international professionals, including specialists in aesthetic dermatology, complete the experience.
From the land to the table: the value of the territory
One of the distinctive elements of the resort is its direct connection with agricultural production. The gastronomic offering is in fact based on the activities of the Cellar at the Maggia and Land in the Maggia, historical entities active respectively since 1946 and 1930 between Ascona, Locarno and the Magadino plain.
Rice, grains, vegetables, and grapes are grown here, and they enter directly into the resort's food supply chain, following the "from our farms to your table" principle. This model strengthens the resort's traceability and culinary identity.
In the gourmet restaurant Barbarossa Inn, the chefs Mattias Roock e Leopold Ott They interpret this heritage with cuisine awarded one Michelin star and 18 GaultMillau points. The "Flavors of Our Garden" menu embodies this approach, bringing ingredients sourced directly from the estate's own gardens to the table.
Alongside haute cuisine, the offering also includes other experiences, from the Tre Stagioni Restaurant to established gastronomic events such as the seafood buffet, long a favorite with guests.
A calendar of gastronomy and culture
The 2026 season will feature a series of events reflecting the resort's multifaceted vocation. These include the Season Opening Special at the end of March, the culinary weeks curated by Mattias Roock through June, and the golf tournament scheduled for May 8-10.
In late spring, the "Creativity and Calm" format will offer a dialogue between nature, craftsmanship, and wellness, while the Mercato del Gusto on June 7th will offer an opportunity to connect directly with the resort's producers and agricultural businesses.
Throughout the summer and autumn, the program will also include dinners among the vineyards, musical events such as ClassicAscona, and the traditional season-ending kitchen party.
To underline the vision of the structure is also Gabriela Jenny, which recalls the concept of “Luxury fed by nature” as the common thread of the proposed experience: a balance between gastronomic quality, contact with nature and hospitality.
A larger project: The Living Circle
The Castle of the Sun is part of the group The Living Circle, a family-run Swiss business that brings together hotels, restaurants, farms, and a winery. The group includes properties such as Storchen Zurich, Alex Lake Zurich, Widder Hotel, and Château de Raymontpierre, with Bergwelt Grindelwald expected to join in fall 2026.
The group's distinctive feature is the integration of hospitality and agricultural production, which allows for the development of a large-scale farm-to-table model while maintaining a strong connection with the local area.
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