Botania Relais and Spa is our favourite base from which to explore Ischia’s beautiful mix of volcanic peaks, thermal spas and sandy beaches. Amid its lemon-tree dotted grounds, you’ll find a scattering of whitewashed villas which house spacious rooms with views across the Bay of Naples. The beach is within strolling distance, but it’s the laid-back atmosphere and warm service which really makes this little gem stand out from the crowd.
The lowdown
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Getting there
Ischia is easily reached by ferry from Naples in as little as 45 minutes.
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Need to know
Due to its hilltop setting, there are a lot of stairs within the resort.
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Combine With
Naples and Pompeii are both possible as daytrips, or why not combine Ischia with a more leisurely exploration of the Amalfi Coast.
Owned and run by the husband and wife team of Rita and Luigi, the resort is made up of nine individual villas with a total of 52 rooms. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all are elegantly decorated in classic Mediterranean style. Most feature balconies or terraces overlooking the gardens or sea, while the Master Rooms deserve special mention for their private hot tubs. The extra spacious suites are perfect for families, and there are a handful of interconnecting rooms too.
You can spend days relaxing beside the huge outdoor pool and evenings sampling mouth-watering Neapolitan specialities at the Il Corbezzolo restaurant. The seafood risotto and salt-baked sea bass are both out of this world.
Overlooking San Montano Bay and just a short amble from the picturesque waterfront town of Lacco Ameno, the beach of San Montano and Negombo thermal spa, it’s a perfect location from which to explore. You can hike to secret coves, summit the volcano, get lost in the tranquil La Mortella botanical gardens, then head to the imposing offshore citadel for stunning sunset views of the island below.
“A stay at Botania Relais and Spa is perfect if you’re seeking a relaxing break with access to beaches, local culture and first-rate food.”
