Cari Hotel Pemandangan Gunung di Forio di Ischia

We stayed here as part of a package deal with Voyage Privé so the hotel was allocated by them a few days before our arrival. We received a warm welcome and our cases were carried to our room for us. Reception staff friendly and helpful. Room was an adequate size with large terrace. Bathroom had shower only, with a shower curtain not screen, cheap fittings, thin towels, no robes or slippers like you’d expect in a 4 star (in the UK at least.) Cleaned daily to a good standard. If you struggle with walking then this hotel is probably not for you as there lots of little steps all over the hotel. ( in fact you’d do well to avoid the whole island really) We stayed on a half board basis and had our meals in the Cava restaurant so can’t comment on the other restaurant. Breakfast was typical self-service continental fare but with only 1 coffee machine there was often a long queue. Dinner was self-service appetisers followed by a starter-main-dessert, choice of 3 or 4 dishes for each. Not the greatest food, but it’s mass catering so it would never be a la carte standard. You are allocated a table on your first day and you have to keep to that table for your stay. Want to eat your breakfast at a window table overlooking the sea in the almost empty restaurant? You’ll be moved back to your allocated table by the staff. Waiting staff are not very friendly, although I observed more friendliness to the Italian guests. Bar staff are friendly though. Swimming pools are all very warm. The rule is to wear a swimming cap although I saw lots of people in shower caps, baseball caps etc in the pool so I’m not sure this is enforced. Sunbeds round the pool seemed plentiful. The beach is a 10 minute walk down the hill (15 mins back up though as it’s steep!). The hotel runs a free shuttle bus to and from the beach. On the beach there are private and public areas and it’s a coarse sand beach, nice and clean. To get around the island the no2 bus goes to Ischia port which has the bus station and therefore onward buses to other destinations. You can buy bus tickets at the mini mart by the beach (must pay in cash for bus tickets), the hotel doesn’t sell them. The no 2 terminus is just a little way past the mini mart. If you want to walk into Forio the most pleasant/safest route we found was out of the hotel main entrance, turn right and follow the road. Just after the Albatross hotel turn right onto a narrow tarmacked road and follow this all the way, past the yellow basilica and it eventually drops down into the town where all the shops are. It takes about 30 minutes. Nearest ATMs are in Forio. If you fancy pizza I can recommend Jamm Ja, towards Forio and a little way past the Albatross on the main road, about a 15 min walk.

This is my first time here, my wife's second. She has been trying to get me here for the past two years. This time we came in a group of two couples and stayed in the exquisite Villa Giusy extension, over the hotel. Highly recommended. Il Sorriso is just super-excellent in every category. I am just sorry I didn't come years ago ! We will certainly be back at least a couple of times a year, every year, from now on. Summary; Wonderful location, amazing spa services and highest standards throughout. Amazing and super-close sea views, wonderful friendly staff, very professional but with that special warmth and dignity that comes with being an island people. As an Irishman, I appreciate and recognise these special traits. It is not just Luca and Simeone in the navettes, it is all the wonderful people from dining room to reception to pool staff who go the extra mile to check that all is well with you. We are spolied now and will expect this everywhere we go, but, in vain. There is unfortunately only one Sorriso Thermae Resort & Spa and you have to come to Ischia to find it. We have all the spa services you could want, in addition, we are right beside the justifiably famous Poiseidon Thermal Park and gardens served by the hotel navette service that also takes clients to the Spiaggia di Citara and various touristic destinations, if you really, really need to leave this oasis of comfort, pleasure and, above all, total relax. Bring some books. Your feet with sprout roots and you will develop an intense desire to just stay put and be cosseted in this paradise by these very special people. I admit it, I am still here and I am begining to wonder just how I can avoid going home.......... John