Hotel Al Bosco

The staff were friendly, and the atmosphere felt welcoming. The 3-star standard isn’t the same as in other countries, though that’s about the island rather than the hotel. I’d definitely return.

Lovely setting.

The reception team are kind and helpful, and you can see how committed they are to their work, so I’m sorry to write this. But if you want to relax, I wouldn’t choose this hotel. It’s in Panza, a hamlet of Forio, and quite out of the way, so you’ll need a car or scooter to get around. They offer a shuttle to Citara, Sant'Angelo, and other places, but it costs €5 round trip. We booked B&B through Smartbox and got a very small room, so the two of us could barely move around. At least it was clean. In the middle of summer, air conditioning also cost €5 per day. Breakfast was disappointing: not much choice, bland machine coffee and cappuccino, and a plum cake that wasn’t very good. The website describes this as a hotel with a pool, which I found misleading. The pool is 200 meters outside the hotel, and you have to wear a swimming cap there. The caps on the table had already been used by other guests. I don’t recommend this if you’re after a relaxing break, easy access to the sea, or a pool.

The property’s tucked away from the center, which made for a quiet, restful stay, and the bus stop is in the little square below. You can get to all corners of the island from there. That square also has bars, shops, supermarkets, newsstands, and tobacconists. Our room faced the courtyard, felt private, and was kept clean thanks to Maria’s professionalism. We spent three days there in very windy weather, but still had a wonderful time. Sonia gave us a warm welcome and useful tips on the best-known places. The thermal pool has loungers and umbrellas, and staff are happy to help with anything. A special thanks to the lovely owner Michele, who picked us up at nearby Sorgeto Bay and drove us back in his comfortable vehicle. Thanks to all the staff. We’ll be back... Gaia and Rebecca