Between 1883 and 1885 Mrs Schnyder Von Wartensee hired Montarina and ran it, for the first time, as a hotel; later on she founded the the renowned Hotel Villa Castagnola in Lugano.In 1885 the property was bought by Pietro Primavesi, son of a famous family of traders. Pietro was also a very innovative businessman who founded a well- known department store, but also two factories, one producing chocolate and the other pasta. His prominence and large fortune earned him the nickname "Primaves d'or" or Golden Primavesi.
It is said that in addition to his great wealth, he passed on to his family considerable moral strength.
Giuseppe, his second son, continued the family business and married Virginia Gaggini on the 28th March 1883. They had three beautiful children: Pierino, Amelia and Eugenio who loved playing in the gardens of the Montarina and spent a happy childhood there. Pierino became one of Switzerland's first aircraft pilots and a permanent photographic exhibition in the hotel is dedicated to his memory.
In 1980 the heirs of the Primavesi family sold the Villa to the Fassbind family, hoteliers in Lugano since 1912.
The Fassbind family founded the Hotel&Hostel Montarina in the late eighties and the once-exclusive Villa became a home for guests of every age and social class; nowadays the Hotel&Hostel.Montarina is classed among the most innovative hostels of Switzerland.
Montarina Hotel&Hostel