Casa La Vigna

We’ve only just left, so this is my first reaction: the benefits of staying here far outweigh the cost. It’s a peaceful place, and whenever something comes up, Tilde and Luca sort it out with that easygoing Campanian manner, shaped by centuries of exchange with many different cultures.

The food is simple and really good, with a delicious breakfast and a choice of seafood or mountain-style dishes for dinner. Tilde and Luca are exceptionally warm and helpful, and the staff are polite, courteous, and efficient. The rooms have been renovated and come with air conditioning and a TV.

There’s a charming tropical garden, and the hotel sits on the hillside at Santangelo d'Ischia. The owners are attentive and the cooking feels like home. The golf cart service up and down to the Fumarole is handy, at €6 each way for two people. An excellent hotel.

After nearly 18 years of holidays here, my children still say, “We’re going to Aunt Tilde’s” when the warmer months come around. That says a lot about how Luca and Tilde make people feel: truly at home, with both warmth and professionalism. La Vigna and its food are lovely too, but I’m clearly biased. I don’t think of them as the owners of Casa La Vigna anymore, but as family. I’m completely fond of them, and I have every reason to be. Patrizio Cacciapuoti (+ Amalia Leo and Lollo)