Ischia’s new « Dolce Vita »

Located at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, Ischia is the largest of the Phlegrean Islands. It has a unique natural, historical and artistic heritage with crystal clear water, age-old hot springs, precious monuments and uncontaminated landscapes with lush Mediterranean vegetation. Entirely volcanic in origin, Ischia was discovered by the Phoenicians in around 2000 BC and was subsequently populated by Greeks, Romans, Saracens, Normans, Swabians, Angevins and Aragonese, all of whom left lasting contributions to the stylistic, cultural and architectural heritage. Angelo Rizzoli, the famous publisher and film producer, was enthralled by the beauty of the island. In 1956, he had the historic Regina Isabella thermal baths enlarged and a hotel with magnificent architecture built near the ancient Greco-Roman ruins. Set by the sea in a quiet bay in the village of Lacco Ameno, the smallest municipality on the island, the Regina Isabella hotel immediately became one of the most popular haunts of international celebrities from the worlds of cinema, fashion and show business. Fifty years since the hotel first stepped into the limelight, in 2009 it underwent a meticulous conversion and renovation project led by the practice of Neapolitan architects Alberto Sifola and Vincenzo Sposato.
The work restored the building to its original splendour while preserving its architecture, style and materials. Devoted to the culture of beauty, the luxury five star Regina Isabella hotel has majestic, brightly lit rooms that at the same time create a sense of intimacy and privacy. The rooms and suites are decorated in soft pastel colours in harmony with the surrounding natural landscape. The original floors have been maintained, consisting of bright hand-painted majolica tiles with different colours and themes in each room. Sifola and Sposato assigned the delicate job of restoring the precious majolica tiles to the company Ce.Vi. Ceramica Vietrese based in Cava de’ Tirreni, which brought to the project its fifty years of experience in artisanal double fired ceramic tiles and the expertise of its master decorators. To maintain the splendour and timeless appeal of these famous tiles, each decoration and individual brushstroke has been faithfully reproduced in the « i Decorati a mano » series in the colours blue, red, yellow and Vietri white. The hotel’s guests can admire the large, airy rooms typical of Neapolitan stately homes, the furnishings in a unique Mediterranean style, and precious objects, paintings, tapestries and exquisite handmade ornaments. And to round off an unforgettable stay, guests can enjoy the benefits of the historic thermal waters of Lacco Ameno, a prestigious spa and four swimming pools. The Regina Isabella spa also offers guests a choice of more than 50 wellness or aesthetic treatments. And with its modern Service and Congress Centre consisting of three large halls and an open-plan area, the Regina Isabella hotel is the perfect venue for exclusive conventions or work meetings.