Ischia and Procida Islands, Italy Hotel Rooms at the Independent

Lovely room... Better than we had expected for the price. Welcomed by the owner (think his name is basilico) who personally took us in the direction we wanted to go (the beach)!! Nothing was too much trouble. Lovely man. Lovely place. Everything is easy to get to. Book it!

Poggio Antico is a small, but very nice and professionally run family property. The majority of the property is only 1 year old, in a well, very tastefully designed garden setting on the hills over Forio. Sweeping views over the western coast of Ischia from most rooms and the pool area. Good breakfast was included in the great rate we received from Expedia. We would have stayed longer if we could have.

We chose this hotel over Terme Manzi because of its history (Elizabeth Taylor, etc). It has all necessary comforts (including very useful port transportation upon arrival and departure), very good breakfast with sea view, fantastic spa facility and service (Signiora Constanza - head of the Spa is lovely lady, speaks very good English and is very helpful in arranging all your treatments). One of the reception staff (sorry, forgot his name) is extremely helpful and very very nice - he helped us with everything we needed (tickets, arrangements, etc.). We had one very unpleasant experience with unexpected fireworks that absolutely sounded like gunshots during the first night of our stay. They came around 1am for about 15min I was scared like hell. The hotel manager afterwards apologized and explained that this is a very usual thing - fireworks at various occasions (there was a wedding at our hotel that night), and they don't let the guests know as this is such a normal practice in that area. So just be warned in case you hear that noise - this is not shooting and no terrorists, this is just a part of some celebration. Other than that - absolutely enjoyed our stay. The hotel is somewhat 50s design but has all necessary facilities.

We had a lovely week's holiday at the Hotel Excelsior. The staff couldn't have been more helpful, and we want to pay a particular thank you to the resident pianist and musician Enzo, whose brilliant keyboard skills enabled us to dance every evening in the beautiful lounge. He was even able to play requests and to play the theme music to Avanti, the film that attracted us to Ischia in the first place. It was a very romantic setting, the pool is just stunning and everything so clean. We would upgrade to a sea-view room next time, but we had a very pretty small balcony overlooking the garden area. The restaurant was very expensive, although delicious food, so we ate out most evenings. Breakfast was superb, all tastes are catered for, and a beautiful way to start the day sitting out admiring the pool from the terrace. The beach is a bit tiny, but with private facilities, so very secluded. If you do go to Ischia, visit the Negombo spa, the Mortella gardens and the castle - but don't try an Ischian bus!!

Great modern hotel with Baliesque design and grounds. Staff are fantastic and really make your stay special. Ground floor rooms with a patio out to the pool are the best in my view, fairly compact, with very small bathrooms....I did miss a bath.

we thought it was fabulous with amazing views, great staff and good food.