Gran Paradiso Hotel

With sweeping views of the Casamicciola Terme Port and the mountains at the center of the island, this Mediterranean-style villa has a lot going for it upon first glance. A charming and elegant style flows through the lobby, which offers free tea and coffee. Yellow striped furniture is arranged around glass-topped tables while blue-and-green patterned tiles run throughout. Floral light fixtures reflect the Renaissance wall art, and pale purple walls and arches connect to the pleasant Lobby Bar which has wood bar stools. The refined Gran Paradiso Restaurant has beautiful sea views through large windows as well as striking blue-and-white porcelains tile and handsome upholstered chairs. Off the restaurant is the outdoor terrace with olive and pine trees plus marvelous views of Casamicciola Port and the mountains. Unlike many other hotels in Ischia, the on-site spa here is contemporary and relaxing, with stylish mosaic tiles throughout. Guests are predominantly couples, though some families stay here as well.

The Gran Paradiso Hotel is in Casamicciola Terme, on a narrow street adjacent to Casamicciola Port. The island is famous for its hot springs, and the Belliazzi Thermal Baths are a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while shops, restaurants, and lovely walks along the port are just around the corner. The vibrant little town of Lacco Ameno is a five-minute drive from the hotel, while Negombo Thermal Park, San Montano Bay, and San Francesco Beach are a 10- to 15-minute drive. The island's main commercial center, Ischia Port, takes 15 minutes to reach by car, while Ischia Ponte and the iconic Medieval Aragonese Castle are around 20 minutes away by road. There is no airport on the island and it is only reachable by ferry. Boats to the mainland take up to an hour and 40 minutes, and the closest major airport is in Naples, where the ferries to the mainland generally dock.

While the common areas have a refined elegance to them, age shows less stylishly in the hotel's classic, homey guest rooms. Blue and yellow ceramic tiles throughout combine with tall windows to make rooms bright, but whitewashed furniture and wicker headboards are outdated and show a bit of wear and tear. The cheery yellow color scheme in the bedspreads, curtains, and wall art also adds an element of space to rooms, which can otherwise feel small. All rooms have air-conditioning, small flat-screen TVs, desks, and soft-drink minibars, and many rooms also have tile balconies or terraces with fantastic sea or mountain views. The same floral tile covers traditional bathrooms that feature wall-mounted sinks with small vanities, hairdryers, stand-up showers, and generic toiletries. We spotted a bit of dirty grout in showers.

Fango mud treatments and thermal therapies are offered at the modern spa,  a major plus for guests particularly as the spa is far more stylish and contemporary than those found throughout hotels we visited in Ischia. Potted plants surround the rectangular outdoor pool, which has an outdoor shower with a rainfall showerhead. Inside, the L-shaped thermal pool is adorned in blue tile with black padded lounge chairs, and there is a steam room and sauna as well. Traditional Mediterranean cuisine is served for lunch and dinner at the Gran Paradiso Restaurant to mostly good reviews. The included breakfast, also served in the restaurant, has fruit, cakes, croissants, cereal, meats, and cheeses, while the Lobby Bar has beer and cocktails. Computers and printers are offered in the lobby, and there is free on-site parking, but spaces are limited. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and pets are allowed without fees.