Hotel Grazia alla Scannella

We were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary and would definitely come back. The hotel is in a beautiful setting, and the staff were amazing, always ready to help. Our evening meal was included and was delicious each night, brought to our table by pleasant, efficient staff.

We’ve come to Grazia La Scanella twice now, each time for a fortnight, and we’ll be back again. The place has a bright, airy and sociable feel, the food is great, and the staff are so friendly and willing to help. The managers are on site, eat in the same dining room and are approachable. That hands-on presence may be part of what makes the hotel so good. Its clifftop position gives you amazing sea views. Panza, with its excellent restaurants, is 0.8 mile away, and Forio, the nearest main town, is a few miles away. The hotel shuttle runs regularly via Panza to Forio and Citara beach and Poseidon spa, then back. EAV buses also run often from Panza or Forio around the island, in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions, as well as on extra routes, so getting to places like Aragonese castle is easy. We booked through Tui and found it amazing value for money. We really can’t recommend it enough.

I’ve stayed in plenty of luxury hotels over more than 70 years of travel, and this one belongs with the very best. The service is second to none. Any concern gets sorted in a flash, with care from every staff member, and their lovely smiles stay with you. I’m wheat intolerant, and the food was a paradise for me. I ate things I hadn’t been able to have for many years, including fantastic desserts, which you should ask about, and gluten-free dishes made to order such as fish and pasta. The options felt limitless. The hotel is tucked away at the end of a road on a cliff, with remarkable views. It’s quiet and relaxing, with many pools, terraces and shady spots. From your table or lounger you can order a drink and it arrives quickly, and the drinks aren’t expensive. Sunsets are fabulous, and it’s amazing to look down at the boats and snorkelers. The sea-facing rooms are worth upgrading to at any cost. Ischia has plenty of hotels that feel a bit like Butlins, but this one doesn’t. I can’t understand why it has only four stars; it deserves five. There were just two things I didn’t like. You pay for water at the table, even though it’s free at the breakfast buffet. It isn’t expensive, but I’m not used to paying for water. Also, they should provide water in the room every day. That’s the whole list. I booked independently, which was cheap, and you can get it as part of a package too. I booked with Great Little Holidays, who sell trips from the Italian holiday company Imperatour/tor. Go for it.

What a gem. I’m so glad I found this place on the island. It feels authentically Italian, the amenities are wonderful for a humble traveler like me, and the staff are incredible. The natural setting is beautiful, with an herb garden, warm pools among lemon trees and another pool looking over the ocean. They also put on scheduled events, including yoga, piano bar and a traditional Ischian dinner on Saturday nights. I wish I could come back!