Last updated: June 2026
When we pulled up to Parco San Marco on the Italian shore of Lake Lugano, the first thing I said to Jack was: this feels like a little village. Winding paths climbing up the hillside, little discoveries around every corner: a play park here, a drinks terrace there, or a glimpse of the lake through the trees. It’s a resort, but it doesn’t feel like one – and I kid you not, the staff make it feel like you’ve come home.
We were there for three nights with R, who was around 14 months at the time, and in that half walking half power-crawling, into exploring absolutely everything phase. We’d been invited to review the hotel, which gave us access to the full family offering, but as always I’m writing my honest account of how it actually works with a young toddler. If you’re weighing up Lake Lugano family resorts or looking for a Parco San Marco review from someone who’s actually been with a baby, here’s everything we found.
Parco San Marco at a glance
- Location: Porlezza, on the Italian shore of Lake Lugano, right on the Swiss-Italian border
- Nearest airport: Milan Malpensa, roughly 90 minutes by car
- Getting there: Car is essential. No practical public transport option, although you can get the train to the nearby Lugano town
- Season: Open late March to early November
- Parking: €20/day, or 50% off if you book direct via the Member Rate
- Kids club: Free with direct booking (Member Rate), for ages 2-16
- Best for: Families who want a base to explore from, not just a resort to stay in
Getting to the Italian lakes with kids: the late flight hack
We flew from the UK on an evening flight (8:40pm departure), which felt like a gamble but turned out well for us. R slept the whole way and it was a fairly swift exit from the airport and to our Hilton hotel so we could get to bed quickly and start the next day fresh and with a full day to explore, rather than arriving at the resort late and frazzled.
On route to Parco San Marco from Milan we stopped at Lake Como, which is a natural and easy stop just off the motorway, about 40 minutes from the airport. We found Como very busy (it was a Friday in May), so we had a quick wander, bite to eat and obligatory gelato but didn’t linger too long. The drive from Como to Parco San Marco takes about an hour along a scenic lake road.
What to expect at Parco San Marco
Parco San Marco is set across 23 hectares on a hillside above the lake, split over different levels connected by winding paths and lifts. We never had an issue getting the pram around, and even the steeper sections were manageable. It’s not flat, but it’s very accessible, and there are several lifts to take you to the different floors of the estate.
The aesthetic is Italian and a little rustic. Think terracotta, stone paths, subtropical planting, and lake views at every turn. It comes across as family run rather than an international chain hotel, and for us that is a big tick. We spotted three play parks during our wandering, with the main one near the kids club being the biggest and best equipped.
One of R’s highlights was spotting the resident donkeys, who live in a small enclosure on one of the outer edges of the resort. If you keep walking past them you’ll eventually reach the small village of Cima. There’s not a huge amount there, but there is a cafe / bar right by the lake where you can stop for a drink before walking back. The path up isn’t pram-friendly, so you’ll need a carrier for this one.
The rooms at Parco San Marco
We were in a two-bedroom family suite with a king room and a twin room, the latter with its own en-suite shower room. The layout worked well for a family of three and would for a bigger family too (the sofa in the living room expands to a sofa bed if needed). R had his own sleeping space in the twin room and we had ours, which makes such a difference when you’ve got a toddler who goes to bed at 7pm.
There’s a living area with a kitchenette, but in practice it was largely empty. You get a kettle, cups, glasses and spoons, but plates and crockery cost extra. We used the kettle for tea and coffee and reception was kind enough to give us a litre of milk for R to have morning and night. Don’t arrive expecting a self-catering setup, and pre-order if you want crockery.
The rooms are more functional than glamorous, which fits the overall setting. Our view (I’d imagine all are similar) was lake-facing and stunning, with a lovely balcony that stretched across the living room and master bedroom. A bath would have been a nice addition, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker.
One watch-out for parents of young toddlers: the floors throughout are tiled, and there are a few low coffee table edges. Nothing dangerous, but it’s worth being aware – a corner guard or two in your bag wouldn’t go amiss.
Parco San Marco’s pools
There are several pool options across the resort, and we tried them all over the three days.
- Outdoor family pool: The main one, large, with a big water slide that Jack very much “enjoyed” (I forced him to test it out and it’s not heated!). It was pretty chilly but we were there on 1st May, so in peak summer is likely far more popular. There’s also a smaller pool in the same area by the snack bar, useful for little ones who want something more contained.
- Adults-only outdoor pool: Also unheated and a nice option if your children are in the kids club.
- Family Spa San Marco (indoor): Our favourite as it was heated, never busy, and R absolutely loved the jets. There’s a toddler-friendly shallow area as well as the main pool and a hot tub. On our last morning we went after breakfast and had the whole place to ourselves for the entire session.
The lake beach at Parco San Marco
The resort has its own private lake beach, which is a lovely addition. It’s grassy rather than sandy, and then drops into the lake without a gentle slope, so you’d need to keep a close eye on toddlers near the edge. The lake’s water is so clear and it looked very inviting – if it wasn’t May I’d have been straight in there! There’s a restaurant down there too which would be excellent in summer.
Parco San Marco kids club and babysitting
The Club Bim Bam Bino runs for ages 2-16 (yes, 16, it covers a wide range) and includes activities like cooking with the chef, treasure hunts, art, archery, climbing, and day trips depending on the age group. It runs throughout the season and is included at no extra cost if you book direct.
For under-2s, there’s no formal creche, but babysitting is available. We liked that the babysitters aren’t from an external agency, but the in-house kids club staff who are qualified professionals who know the resort and the environment well.
We used the babysitting service so we could spend a few hours in the adults spa, and R took to Elena immediately so we left him very content. The standard approach for under-2s is to do it in the room so the child can sleep comfortably in familiar surroundings, but the hotel is happy for it to take place in the kids club space instead, which suited us better. We wanted him to be awake and engaged rather than handed over during nap time when he wouldn’t know who was putting him down. He played happily and then slept in his pram for the last half hour.
There was no update from the babysitter while we were at the spa but they knew where we were and it was close by, which felt like the right level of trust. I’m sure they would be happy to send a message if you really wanted, and you could ask the Spa reception to call down to the kids club if needed.
Parco San Marco family spa: Spa Ceò
The adults-only Spa Ceò is a proper spa: two floors of saunas, pools, and steam rooms with lake views – based in the adults only sister property on the top edge of the resort. You get four hours per session and we used three of them, opting for a drink in the bar before leaving to collect R from the kids club. It was a lovely few hours of proper zen, which when you have a toddler feels almost indecent!
Pricing is €65 per person on weekdays and €95 per person on weekends, or if you’ve booked directly via the hotel then it’s €45 per person regardless of the day.
Eating at Parco San Marco
There are four restaurants across the resort, plus two additional outlets opening from the end of May (a beach restaurant and a pizzeria at the Fun Pool). We ate at two during our stay.
La Veranda San Marco is where breakfast is served, and it’s also the family dinner option with an impressive kids buffet. The Buffet Bambini is €15 for ages 2-3 and €22 for ages 4-10, and the food credentials are good: no preservatives or artificial colouring, organic meat, fruit and vegetables, and pasta made from ancient wheat grown in their own fields. R had pizza and pasta and was happy. If the buffet doesn’t suit your child, they can order from the adult menu or request something specific, which is a useful backup. The adult menu was excellent with multiple course price points available.
La Masseria Mediterranean Grill is slightly fancier meat restaurant but with the same family-friends style staff. We sat on the large terrace which had gorgeous views and a great atmosphere, despite most tables having children of varying ages. R had breadsticks and pasta, and the staff were immediately willing to make something specific on request. The food was really good – just look at this burrata!
During our dinner at La Masseria R was having one of those occasions where sitting still wasn’t happening, and one of us ended up taking him out to the grass and the play park just below the restaurant which worked quite well. The staff noticed and without being asked, sent us off with a beautiful pot of tiramisu each to take back to our room for after R had gone to bed. It was such a thoughtful thing to do, and perfectly sums up the kind approach the staff showed throughout our stay.
On our final night we opted for room service after R went to bed, opting to eat on our balcony under slightly more relaxing circumstances. Jack had a burger and I enjoyed a pasta dish, and while there’s a 10€ surcharge for food to be delivered, we found the value overall pretty good considering the prices in the restaurants. We’d fed R earlier in the outside bar area (we brought our own food but ordered him a bowl of gelato as a treat) and really enjoyed our drinks and aperitif.
Things to do in the local area
We’ve written a full itinerary guide, but we loved walking around Lugano town in Switzerland, and taking in the lake views from various spots. We spent one morning at Swissminiatur, an incredible take on the model village that has hundreds of models representing the entire country of Switzerland. We also did a nice walk at the Lago di Piano nature reserve, just a 10 minute drive from the hotel. For everything you need to know about the wider area, read our Italian lakes with kids guide.
At the hotel there’s tennis, a climbing wall and other lake-based activities that you can arrange.
Who is Parco San Marco best for?
For families who want a base rather than a bubble, Parco San Marco is your place. This is a resort where you can arrive, put your bags down, and never leave the grounds (especially in the summer) – but it’s also somewhere you can make the most of and enjoy a stunning local area. The setting, on the Swiss-Italian border, close to Lake Como, with beautiful towns to explore and outdoor experiences nearby, is part of the draw. If you want to stay in a sun lounger for a week, a heated outdoor pool and one of these all inclusive hotels with exceptional kids clubs will probably serve you better.
But if you want somewhere with a strong culture, the warmest of staff, a great family spa, and the kind of resort that feels like it’s been built over time rather than dropped in from a catalogue, Parco San Marco is a really strong choice. We’d go back, and we think it’ll be even better as R gets a bit older and can make more of the kids club programme.
Our score
✈️ Getting there: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. Easy drive from Malpensa, with Como or Lugano town a lovely stop on the way. No public transport option so a car is essential.
🍼 Pramability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. Lifts throughout, pram-friendly paths, with a solid kids club and flexible babysitting service from in-house staff.
🍷 Adult fun factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. The scenery makes the trip, but the spa, great food and the wider area means Parco San Marco has a lot to offer.
💰 Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. Not cheap but cheaper than similar kinderhotel options, and the benefits you get when booking direct add a lot of value.
Allie, Jack & R x
Frequently asked questions
Yes, with a bit of planning. The resort is very pram-friendly thanks to lifts between levels, and the indoor Family Spa San Marco works really well for young children with a toddler-friendly shallow area. Babysitting is available from in-house kids club staff for under-2s, and the restaurants are flexible about adapting food for little ones. The main watch-out is tiled floors throughout the resort and rooms, so pack a corner guard if you have a newly walking toddler.
The Club Bim Bam Bino is free for ages 2-16 if you book direct via the Member Rate on the Parco San Marco website or by phone. If you book through a third-party site there’s an additional daily charge, so compare the total costs all in. Children’s lunch and dinner in the kids club are always charged separately regardless of how you book.
Yes. Babysitting for under-2s is provided by in-house kids club staff rather than an external agency. The default is for babysitting to take place in your room so the child can sleep comfortably, but the hotel is flexible and can arrange for it to happen in the kids club space instead. Worth requesting your preference at booking stage.
The resort is open from late March to early November. Late May to June is a good sweet spot: the weather is warm, the outdoor pools are likely enjoyable, and it’s before the peak summer crowds. July and August will be busiest but also when all restaurants and facilities are fully open but at most they have 400 people on site, so it’s not huge.
There are three pool options. The outdoor family pool is the largest and has a water slide, plus a smaller pool nearby useful for toddlers. There’s also an adults-only outdoor pool. The indoor Family Spa San Marco is heated and the most toddler-friendly, with a shallow area, jets, and a hot tub – and it’s rarely busy.
There are four restaurants across the resort in total, with two more opening from late May. The main family option is La Veranda San Marco, which serves breakfast and a children’s buffet at dinner (Buffet Bambini). La Masseria Mediterranean Grill is a slightly more upscale choice and very family-friendly, with a terrace and staff who are happy to make something specific for young children. Room service is also available with a €10 surcharge.
Our trip was gifted in exchange for a review, but all opinions are our own. This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
