This weeks hidden gem is a hotel-meets-hostel with four-star amenities. With an amazing pool, playground, and restaurant, it’s the perfect place to stay with kids to explore a mountainous country in Central Europe.

Any guesses as to where we are headed??

The list of reasons we travel with our children is infinite, but for many of us, it would all come back to the destination itself and the memories we create there. While we are busy exploring, broadening our horizons and diversifying our world views, sometimes we stumble upon completely wonderful and equally unexpected places. These are our hidden gems… the places we soak up and yearn to go back to.

Our Hidden Gems series will uncover one-of-a-kind places discovered by our readers while traveling or exploring their own city. Whether it’s a beach, park, cafe, family-friendly hotel, hiking trail or other, enjoy these best kept secrets and be sure to add them to your list of places to go!

Hotel & Hostel Montarina

Location: Via Montarina 1, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland (Pink building behind the train station)

Discovered by: Elizabeth, our Editor-in-Chief, was planning a family trip to Switzerland. After doing a lot of reading and digging through family travel blogs, she discovered Hotel & Hostel Montarina and decided to check it out!

Why We Love It: Set on a residential street with beautiful views, this cozy, circa-1860 hotel is a quick 3-minute walk from Lugano train station. This hotel has hostel prices and plenty of room for families of all sizes. The amenities, however, are nothing short of four-star. The views of Lugano are the best around too. The hotel as a great pool, playground and restaurant to keep the kids happy.

Why It’s Kid-Friendly: Larger families will love the hostel style family rooms complete with bunk beds. The pool and small playground are perfect for entertaining the kids between sightseeing sessions. The restaurant has plenty of child seats, and staff went out of their way to keep the kids entertained.

Tips & Important Details: The hotel sits just above the city which is easily walkable or take the funicular down if you don’t want to walk. The hotel is right behind the train station, so when everyone else crosses over to head into town, just turn around and you’ll see the bright pink building behind you. Make sure you book dinner when you make your reservation. Contact the property directly (http://www.montarina.ch/) for the best prices instead of going through sites like booking.com.

Cost: Prices start €59 for a 3 bed, dormitory-style room.

Kids are always hungry! Know anywhere to eat nearby?: There is a lovely little restaurant on property that you won’t want to miss. It is also easy to walk into town and try any number of local places.

About Elizabeth: Currently living in Delft, Netherlands, Elizabeth is our Editor-in-Chief and a mom to three boys, ages 5, 3, and 1. Her dream travel destination with her family is The Azores! You can follow her family and their global travels on Instagram @ejdn and check out her blog Dutch Dutch Goose.

We are continually adding to our list of Hidden Gems, so, if you have a favorite secret spot that we need to know about, please fill out our form and it will be written about for the Bébé Voyage community.

And be sure to let us know how your trip goes if you’re able to make it to this secret location! We love to see where our members go and hear about new and exciting places to travel with bébé. Use the hashtag #bebevoyage on any social media to share your trips or tips with us too. Happy travels!

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