La isla bonita La isla bonita

We got to the island quite unexpectedly, we planned a cruise on a steamer from Rome, but at the last moment it did not work out. Since the Italian visa had already been issued, we went to the place where they offered. They didn’t know anything about this hotel, where to go, they learned only in Rome. By bus we got to Naples, then by boat for about 50 minutes to Ischia Porto. I liked the island right away, a lot of greenery, flowers. We were met at the port and taken by car to the hotel. The first impression is a lovely hotel, nice view, nice room with big balcony and sea view (#310) . But then you begin to notice the shortcomings: 1) you need to go down the stairs to the beach (120 steps). Down is not a problem, but up is annoying, especially if it's hot. The beach is not equipped, there are only sun loungers. Large pebbles, it’s impossible to walk without slippers, it’s also not easy to enter the water, but it’s impossible to get out at all. But there are no people at all, a few people living in the hotel - and that's it. Foreigners hardly go to this beach, they like to swim in the pools. There are 2 pools, both with thermal water, there are many sunbeds near the pools, you can always find a place. 2) Breakfast is rather poor and monotonous. Dinner - on the menu, a choice of three or four dishes, you need to order in the morning, at breakfast. The menu is brought in all languages ​ ​ except Russian. Even if you know English, German or French, it is not always clear what it is. The waiter explains in monosyllables: "This is meat", or "This is fish", but when they bring it, you realize that they took the wrong one. Cooking is not tasty. For all the time, once there was a good lamb and once a delicious fish. The portions are small, so our men sometimes remained hungry. Soups are mostly from bags. Dessert is also brought: either fruit, or ice cream, or a piece of cake. If you want both fruit and ice cream, it won't work. Only or - or. Then I read on the Internet that this hotel has a very greedy director, saves on everything. By the way, he often sat in the hall and watched who ate what and how much he took (cold appetizers at dinner - a buffet). The third disadvantage is rather lazy staff. The maids are unfriendly, they cleaned slowly and lazily, they gave shampoo and soap only 2 times (in other Italian hotels they gave it every day, even in three-star ones). And yet, if you go to this hotel, immediately stipulate your room. We were lucky with the number, but many of the rooms overlook the area in front of the pools, i. e. they don't have balconies, but go straight to where people lie and walk. Maybe someone will like this option, but it seems to me that it is not very convenient. There is practically no entertainment in the hotel, once a week a guy comes, plays the synthesizer and sings, once there was a national evening. Three men in national costumes played and sang folk songs. Everything.
The island itself is wonderful. We went on an excursion around the island, stopped in beautiful places, there are a lot of them on the island. We went to thermal parks, one of them is not far from the hotel (10 minutes walk). You can go on a boat trip to Capri, Positano and Amalfi. Beautiful places, though Capri was crowded and hot. There are also other excursions, but we just wanted to swim in the sea, lie by the pool, walk around the streets of Ischia Porto, and time passed so quickly. In general, we are satisfied with the rest, but if we go there again, we will probably choose another hotel.