Family Hotel Le Canne&Beauty

We found the prices reasonable, and getting to the beach took only about 7-10 minutes. Our room was spotless and comfortable, particularly the mattress, though the furnishings could use an update. The food had lots of options and was delicious, and the staff were courteous and friendly. We were pleasantly surprised by the facilities: there's a large sauna, a big pool with plenty of amenities, and a hydromassage pool in a newer building. It's a 3-star hotel, but some of its services felt closer to 5-star. It was our first stay here, and we chose it as a couple.

The friendly staff were probably the best part of our stay. The room itself was immaculate, but sleep was a problem: the mattress was stiff and hard, and each of us got one pancake-flat pillow. When I asked for extra pillows, they brought four, though the request seemed to surprise them. Beds matter so much, and I don't understand why hotels won't invest in comfortable ones. A soft pillow-top mattress would make me consider staying again. Until then, I can't recommend it, especially at $250 a night. It's three stars at best, and the owners should try a US hotel at that price. Other room details were odd. There's no shower curtain, so water sprays onto the bathroom floor, and there were no paper cups for water from the sink. The pool was deep and fun, and the sturdy sun loungers were good, but the pool closed before dark, which was disappointing. I'd expect it to stay open until 10. The hot tub was only lukewarm, and there were no pool towels. Really hot and really cold tubs would make a splash around town. Breakfast was decent, not great. The pastries were alright, the pancake was more like cake, and the fresh fruit was good. There was no cold milk.

The only thing keeping me from giving this place five stars is that some areas need a bit of renovation. Otherwise, it's a great spot for a family with children, with a lovely setting and a well-organised, welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant food is very good, and the staff are consistently friendly. We also found the little food-prep room really useful: parents can use its sink, hobs, and fridge to store milk and yoghurt for their little one. The location is great, and there's a free shuttle to a nearby beach. The driver was very kind too.

Breakfast was the weak point, with very little to choose from. Still, the staff were flexible and accommodating, and the small spa is a nice feature, with a pool that has water features, massages, and a Finnish sauna. There’s also a kids club, an outdoor pool, and an enclosed outdoor jacuzzi. Le Canne is an affordable, family-run hotel in Forio, Ischia, about a five-minute drive from the beach. They provide free rides to and from the beach, but charge extra for trips elsewhere. One caution: dogs are welcome, so barking can be an issue if they're left alone in their rooms. I'd give the hotel 3.5 stars if I could.