ISCHIA IS A volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, located at the northern end of the Golfo di Napoli (Gulf of Naples), part of the Campanian Archipelago, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the city of Naples. It is one of the most picturesque islands in the bay, with exotic scenery, flowering hills and rocky beaches. It’s also known for mineral-rich thermal waters and natural springs.
Housed in the crenellated coral walls of a 16th-century watchtower on the northernmost tip of this Italian island is Il Mezzatorre, a beautiful hotel that Truman Capote once called “…a strangely enchanted place”. Overlooking the secluded bay with views over the Tyrrhenian Sea, Il Mezzatorre‘s 46 rooms and 11 suites are located in the historic tower and surrounding cottages. The rooms and suites have a simple, mostly white décor with stunning views beyond their windows. There are both indoor and outdoor pools (the latter being a sea water pool that is heated to a temperate 30 degrees), two restaurants, a beach club and a boutique. A clay tennis court sits shaded by trees, the gym overlooks the Gulf of Naples, the air is filled with the scent of jasmine which hangs in the sea air. Chic pink parasols and cushions are dotted around the piazzettas, beckoning guests to sit and relax. La Colombaia, the former villa of Italian filmmaker Luchino Visconti, is just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.
