Carasco Hotel

Hotel Carasco feels like Lipari to me, and the DelBono family have been part of our family’s visits for four generations. My parents first went there around 1979 while searching for our family roots. The owners’ young son Luca, about five at the time, spoke English and Italian and kindly guided them to a priest for baptism records, introduced them to village elders who knew our family name, and took them to his favorite restaurants. I returned in 1990 while living in the UK. Mrs DelBono and her husband were still running the hotel, and I spent the week visiting cousins who lived on Lipari. Luca was studying in England by then. The family and the hotel lived up to everything my parents had told me: the facilities, service, food, help planning trips, and kindness were all gold standard. I only stay at Carasco when I’m in Lipari. About ten years later, my son and his fiancée made their first trip to Lipari and then Trapani to see cousins. His children came too in time. A few years ago Luca’s parents stepped away, and Luca DelBono took charge of the family hotel. Lipari is still about family, holidays, and love to me. I hope you book Hotel Carasco. It has never let me down. Have fun. Frank Palamara, currently in Alpharetta, Ga.

We loved the pool and the direct way down to the private beach. It made the stay feel especially relaxing, and the restaurant served delicious food. Breakfast was fresh and had lots to choose from. The staff were so kind and friendly, and our room was clean with daily housekeeping, though the furniture and decor were older. The hotel sits high on a hill, with beautiful views and a romantic, peaceful feel. It’s about a 20-minute walk into the city center, including a short but steep climb back up. That was fine for us, but worth knowing before you go. A lovely choice for a quiet couple’s getaway.

We stayed for two nights at the start of September. The room was spacious and airy, with a balcony and nice views. The decor is dated, but everything was clean and comfortable, so it didn’t bother us much. The pool and outdoor area were great, and steps lead down to a private swimming spot with loungers. It isn’t a beach. My partner particularly liked the free snorkelling kit. Staff were helpful and friendly. Breakfast was a buffet on a sea-view terrace, though the selection felt a little limited compared with other places. We didn’t have dinner there. You can walk into town along the beach, but it’s a hilly climb. If you have lots of luggage, booking a taxi is a good idea. We’d recommend it.

The pool never felt too crowded, and there were plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas. There’s also a small bar and food spot right beside it. Steps lead down to the ocean, and they felt less precarious than many we came across elsewhere in Italy. More loungers and umbrellas are set by the water too. We had a brilliant few days at Hotel Carasco. Our room was comfortable and roomy, with a gorgeous view towards the water. The garden beside the hotel was another lovely spot, looking north and just right for sundowners.