I booked this hotel at short notice, having found that all other hotels in the town were very expensive due to a pop festival in the main square. The hotel is uphill from the station, and can be walked to in about 12 minutes - although it is possible to get a bus if needs be (bus line 2 I think). However the slightly elevated position is worth it for the superb view over Locarno and the lake - you can actually see "round the corner" of the lake towards Italy, which you do not see from the town itself. I was given a friendly welcome and a glass of mineral water on arrival, which was welcome on a very hot day.
Now, the hotel itself is slightly unusual, being annexed to a residence for nuns. However, the hotel part is run exactly as you would expect any three star hotel. The room had TV, wifi, hair drier, safe, bathroom etc. The room was quite small but had a balcony of almost equal floor space, with a really spectacular view down to Locarno and Lake Maggiore. I would also note that everything was spotlessly clean. I read a review elsewhere on the internet which suggested that the main entrance to the hotel is locked at ten p.m. - I can confirm that this is not (or no longer, if it ever was) the case; the room key has a fob (like a car remote) which opens the house door.
So, an unusual set-up to the hotel which create a rather odd ambiance, but if you need a place to stay in Locarno then it is absolutely fine.
