Mezzatorre Resort and Spa

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. 

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. 

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.

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.