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| Hotel Reviews | Destination Guides |
4 STAR LUXURY HOTEL • 128 ROOMS & 27 SUITES
Regina Isabella has long had a link with Hollywood and celebrity. Opening its doors in 1956 under the leadership of Italian film producer and editor Angelo Rizzoli, it quickly became a Hollywood hangout for the likes of Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and Sophia Loren. Today, owner Giancarlo Carriero has expanded on the luxury and hospitality that helped put this Italian island getaway on the map, and literally gave its home island of Ischia international exposure.
A favorite story from its Hollywood halcyon days was when Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor stayed here during the filming of the movie “Cleopatra.” Sometime during that stay, Mr. Burton’s clothes ended up in the sea, courtesy of Ms. Taylor.
More recently, the film “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” was filmed in part here on Ischia, and the property remains active in the annual June film festival, having recently attracted Francis Ford Coppolo, Naomi Watts and Dennis Hopper.
Hotel Regina Isabella is located in the Ischia seaside town of Lacco Ameno known for its thermal springs. While there are many thermal hotels and spas throughout the island, this luxury property features the only seaside thermal spa and offers its own line of skin and beauty products incorporating the local thermal mud and waters. The thermal waters are even used in the plunge pools at the suites.
The resort sits at sea’s edge, protected by a sea wall and in the middle of a peaceful bay. Not far away is the bay’s rock outcropping “fungo” (mushroom) because of its shape. The resort’s backdrop are hills full of homes and Mediterranean pinewoods. Nearby is a world-class botanical garden.
The hotel's main entrance, lined with blooming bougainvillea and hibiscus, is marked with a custom Maiolica ceramic tile plaque bearing its name. Hotel Regina Isabella sits off the small square of Santa Restituta, with its church of the same name, now an archaeological museum. Opposite the hotel entrance is the entrance to the resort’s massive medical and relaxation spa undergoing a multi-year renovation.
Indoors, amid lavish furnishings, lobby fireplace and chandeliers are original, beautiful Maiolica tile floors, the work of true craftsmen. They vary in color and design from public to private rooms and suites. One of the outer walls of the verandah that leads from the piano bar, features a Maiolica mosaic depicting a bygone view of this Island of Ischia.
The elevated outdoor saltwater pool is a focal point and gathering spot expertly manned by weathered, Italian pool men, always smiling. Service arrives via efficient, silver tray-toting wait staff in white tux jackets who leave you feeling like you just might be in that “Talented Mr. Ripley” movie.
©2007 Luxury Travel Magazine. Written by J.S. Fletcher and Kathy M. Newbern for Luxury Travel Magazine. Freelance travel journalists Fletcher and Newbern often incorporate their romantic travels into their other business, www.yournovel.com, where they put you and your sweetie in your own personalized romance novel "wild" or "mild."
Take advantage of our special rates and offers:
HOTEL RESERVATIONS | BOOK FLIGHTS
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ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
128 rooms including 27 luxury suites in the Royal Wing, which was renovated and reopened in 2006.
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AMENITIES & SERVICES
Two Internet computers in lobby card room; in-room cable Internet connections; WiFi on terraces and in public areas
Hair dryer
Electronic, in-room safe
International direct-dial telephone
Satellite TV with international channel selections
Satellite radio
CD player
Seasonal air-conditioning
Multi-line telephone (ISDN)
Selection of pillows available
Suites feature large, walk-in closets; gourmet mini-bars; Jacuzzi tub and separate shower with oversized rain head; hydro massage plunge pools with thermal or sea water on the terrace or cascade shower with the same option; 26” LCD Bang & Olufsen TV; bathrobes and slippers.
Conference & Business Center
5 Meeting Rooms |
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DINING
The Regina Isabella Restaurant is the hotel's lavishly decorated dining room framed by huge panoramic windows looking out across the bay (bring your sunglasses to breakfast)
The dinner menu offers Mediterranean and Neapolitan dishes and lots of fresh fish and homemade pastas, including a daily risotto.
Good selection of global and local wines (three wineries are on the island).
The more casual poolside Sporting Restaurant has a yacht club feel overlooking the sea with floor-to-ceiling windows. Select from the enormous buffet or from the large display of fresh fish, and they’ll cook it to order. Also a la carte offerings such as pasta and lamb.
The Sporting Bar offers by-the-sea bar service, fresh seafood, snacks and Mediterranean specialties throughout the day.
Bar Regina Isabella, a piano bar with pink suede chairs, long, black sofas and Maiolica ceramic tile floor features a light menu of sandwiches and snacks plus afternoon tea.
Off the bar is verandah seating in a garden atmosphere including pergola and wicker chairs amid a flowering oasis.
Superb service is found throughout all the dining venues, at the concierge desk and in the rooms. Guests have commented that the staff constitute the four-star hotel’s “fifth star.”
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ACTIVITIES
3 Swimming Pools:
Outdoor saltwater with attendants and waiter service
Indoor thermal pool in spa
Outdoor thalassotherapy pool, salt water
Sea wall with sunbathing chairs and umbrellas
Small sandy beach
cooking courses
water skiing, windsurfing, diving on request
small boats for hire
bike and scooter rentals
golf by arrangement
horseback riding lessons by arrangement
tennis lessons by arrangement
wine tastings; wine tours
private boat tours in the resort's 10-person motor launch
Shopping in Sant’Angelo
Excursions: dormant volcano, Mt. Epomeo, Aragon Castle, day trip to Capri |
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SPA & FITNESS
On-staff medical doctor; On-staff osteopath; On-staff skin specialist; 72 treatment rooms; indoor thermal pool; outdoor, seawater thalassotherapy pool.
Gym with personal trainersPrior to a guest’s spa visit, a private session with the on-staff doctor is arranged to help set up a personalized spa program and suited for that person’s body type/needs.
Original biocosmetic spa product line - La Terme della Regina Isabella - incorporating local ingredients and utilizing medical research dating to 1993. Products include skin care, moisturizer, skin nourishment, sun protection, anti-aging, line for men
Extensive spa offerings, many using thermal mud and waters
Underwater shower
Hydro massage
Vascular stimulation (Kneipp tub for legs)
Evian shower
Respiratory cures
Plastic dermatology
Various massages and relaxation therapies - anti-stress, Ayurvedic, connective tissue, reflexology, Tui-Na, dance massage, Thai leg and foot, Oasi, Ohashi Method Shiatsu, four hands synchronized, Indo Asian, Thai, Shiatsu, Thai-Shiatsu, stone therapy, Watsu
Body techniques and treatments - body rolling, manual lymph drainage, Feldenkrais, osteopathy, osmosis
Skin, body, face - including nine facial treatments and special men’s program. |
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LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Poseidon Thermal Gardens, Forio, 6 km
Aragon Castle, Ischia Ponte, 7 km
Michelangelo’s Tower, Ischia Ponte, 8 km
Sant’Angelo village, 10 km
Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae in Lacco Ameno, home to Nestor’s Cup mentioned in “The Iliad,” 3 km
La Mortella Ischia, botanical gardens, Lacco Ameno, 2 km
Sea Museum, Ischia Ponte, 7 km
Sanctuary of Santa Restituita, Lacco Ameno, 50 meters
Pietratorcia and D'Ambra, with Farmer's Museum, are wineries open to the public
Beaches:
• Lido di Ischia's Pescatori Beach runs from from Ischia Porto to Ischia Ponte, 7 km
• Cartaromana Beach between Aragon Castle and the Sant’Anna cliffs, 9 km
• Marina dei Maronti, Barano, 14 km
• Citara Beach, Forio, among island's most popular and home to Poseidon Thermal Gardens. 6 km
• Sorgeto Beach, near Panza, has thermal source in the ocean, 8 km |
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GETTING THERE
Address: Piazza Santa Restituta 1, Lacco Ameno 80076 Italy.
Airport: Naples (NAP) Book Flights
Transportation: From Naples Capodichino Airport, proceed to Molo Beverello (for Lauro and Caremar ferry) or to the port of Mergellina (for Lauro and Snav hydrofoils), taking a taxi or regular bus service; the shuttle bus only operates between the airport and Molo Beverello. |
Take advantage of our special rates and offers:
HOTEL RESERVATIONS | BOOK FLIGHTS |
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