Via Mezza Torre 23, Forio, Italy
Set on beautiful Mediterranean-facing parkland
Cliffside pool with gorgeous views and direct sea access
Two restaurants, one for formal dining and one for quick bites
Spa with range of treatments and indoor thermal pool
Free shuttle service to neighboring town
Heliport on-site
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Some rooms feel isolated
Rooms are low-tech and lack coffeemakers
Grounds are poorly lit at night
Indoor thermal pool has limited hours
The street to the hotel is too narrow for larger cars
Set on a sprawling stretch of rocky parkland overlooking the sea, Mezzatorre Resort & Spa is one of the most luxurious hotels on the island of Ischia. At the heart of the hotel is an ancient Saracen tower that houses the lobby, the spa, and seven suites. The other 50 rooms and suites are located in a series of buildings on the grounds. The hotel has a pool with gorgeous sea views and a direct access to the sea, although there's not a proper beach. Visitors may want to compare rates and facilities at the Terme Manzi & Spa, another upscale resort with an excellent spa.
Scene
Romantic luxury resort set on beautiful parklands
The heart of the property is a Saracen tower, which houses, the lobby, the spa, and seven suites, as well as a terrace bar with sea views. The rest of the rooms are in smaller buildings spread across the grounds, amongst pine trees and Mediterranean scrub. Some rooms are removed from the entrance and golf carts are used to transport guests. The park is dimly lit at night and lacks directional signage. The hotel appeals to vacationers willing to pay the high room rates and its spa and romantic setting makes it a good choice for couples.
Location
On a sea-facing cliff near Lacco Ameo
The resort is located in a massive parkland, on a sea-facing cliff on the San Montano Bay in the Gulf of Naples. The property is at the end of a wooded street that's flanked with a few other properties. Guests with large cars should note that a certain point, the road becomes too narrow for wider vehicles to access. It's a 10-minute drive (or shuttle ride) or 30-minute walk from Lacco Ameno, a lively village in the northwestern part of Ischia. The Ischia Port is a 20-minute drive away, while La Colombaia, the former villa of famous Italian director Luchino Visconti that's now a museum, is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel, in the same park.
Rooms
Rooms and suites with classic, elegant decor
There are 45 rooms and 12 suites at the Mezzatorre. They vary from building to building, and some have terraces with gorgeous views while others look out on the park. Rooms in further reaches of the park can feel isolated, although closer-in rooms are reportedly noisy. Generally speaking, rooms and suites are elegantly furnished, with white or cream walls and red, light blue, or brown throw cushions and bed runners. Rooms lack coffeemakers, kettles, and modern gadgetry, though they do come with flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms are small, with white or green marble interiors and shower/tub combos.
Features
Two restaurants, heliport, swimming pool with gorgeous views, and a spa with indoor thermal pool
The hotel has an outdoor pool with fantastic views on the bay and a direct access to the sea via some uneven stairs, but the area can get noisy when lots of children are present. There's also a spa with an indoor thermal pool, but the hours are limited. Massages and beauty treatments can be arranged in the spa or outdoors in white gazebos with gorgeous sea views. The Mezzatorre has two restaurants, the formal Chandelier, which also offers al fresco dining on a sea-facing terrace, and Sciue Sciue (from a Neapolitan expression that means “fast”), a poolside eatery that serves snacks and quick meals. There are also a heliport for guests who prefer to arrive by helicopter and a free shuttle into the nearby village of Lacco Ameno. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.