Villa Sassa and Villa Principe Leopoldo: 131 layoffs confirmed

The collective dismissal of 131 employees at Villa Sassa and Villa Principe Leopoldo, in Lugano, has become reality. It was confirmed on Wednesday by Daniele Lardi, president of DOT Life SA, the company that runs the two hotels, speaking to RSI's Il Quotidiano. The measure had already been announced in early October.

The two hotels will close in January for four months, to allow major renovation work. Planned investments exceed 40 million francs for Villa Sassa and 12 million for Villa Principe Leopoldo, more than 50 million in total. The owners' goal is to welcome guests again in May 2027, with a gradual resumption of activity.

Lardi assured that all 131 employees will receive a special payment equal to one month's gross salary, essentially a 14th-month bonus, to be paid at the start of January.

Between unemployment and relocation

For many employees, the closure of the two hotels will mean a move onto unemployment benefits until reopening. Others are already finding new positions. DOT Life SA has offered some of them work at other properties the group runs in the mountains, in St. Moritz or Gstaad: according to Lardi, some employees appear willing to accept this option, far from Lugano. Other employees have moved or will move to the Kurhaus in Cademario, another property in the group, staying in Ticino.

Lardi confirmed that the work will begin in early January and is expected to finish by the end of April, with reopening set for May 1. The company says it wants to rehire everyone still available on the job market at that point. It remains to be seen how many of the 131 employees will choose to wait for the return to Lugano, rather than accept a relocation far from home or find stable work elsewhere in the meantime, leaving the two hotels' workforce for good.