Mezzatorre Hotel

Capri, Italy

While the island of Capri and the Amalfi coast draw crowds to the Bay of Naples, Ischia flies under the radar, and that’s all part of its appeal. The island is all secluded bays, thermal pools and the scent of pine drifting on the sea breeze – it’s never had to try too hard, with cobbled streets and family-style trattorias once attracting the likes of Bardot, Burton and Brando. That understated elegance is channelled at Mezzatorre, where the team behind Il Pellicano have transformed what was once a 16th-century watchtower, with drama guaranteed at every turn thanks to vaulted ceilings and spectacular views across the Tyrrhenian Sea. The hotel has its own mineral-rich spring and private bay – although lounging poolside beneath a scalloped parasol is enough to evoke old Hollywood in this timeless addition to the Neapolitan scene.

Doubles from £340. 00 39 81 986111, mezzatorre.com

Words by Rachel Walker.

This review was taken from the August/September 2023 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.