Perched atop Mount Vico on Italy’s island of Ischia, San Montano Resort & Spa is a 65-room luxury retreat that overlooks the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Having completed an extensive renovation this summer, the property now showcases refreshed suites and public spaces, a suite of immersive guest experiences, and a renewed focus on the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The redesign emphasizes a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living, making Ischia’s landscape a defining element of the guest experience. The island, celebrated for its thermal waters, volcanic terrain and lush Mediterranean gardens, informed the hotel’s aesthetic through the use of natural materials, locally crafted décor, enhanced walkways through the hotel’s lemon grove and a network of 11 pools spread across the grounds.
Lighthouse Suite © Serena Eller
One of the most striking additions is the Lighthouse Suite, a two-bedroom villa conceived within a restored military lighthouse. The suite preserves original architectural features while introducing regionally sourced, artisanal details. Highlights include a standalone glass-enclosed living space, roughly 11,000 square feet of private outdoor terraces and gardens, and a plunge pool that delivers sweeping panoramas of Ischia and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
© Serena Eller
“Our family has been rooted in celebrating the culture and people of Ischia for generations, bringing a sense of Ischian hospitality to all our endeavors,” said Francesco De Siano, co-owner and sales director of San Montano Resort & Spa. “This new chapter honors the island’s beauty through fresh design and close collaboration with local craftsmen, designers and gardeners. San Montano preserves our history while evolving the meaning of hospitality on Ischia.”
The resort offers four room categories and 15 suites designed to welcome diverse travelers. Guest accommodations have been updated with a Mediterranean-inspired palette of deep blues paired with modern finishes in marble and terracotta. Custom furniture made from natural fabrics and fibers complements the refined yet relaxed interiors. Each suite includes a private pool or Jacuzzi and looks out onto the sea or the resort’s gardens. Notable options include the Amalfi Sunrise suite, featuring an expansive infinity pool with Gulf of Naples views, and the Ischia Sunset suite, a romantic hideaway with an intimate Jacuzzi and panoramic terrace.
Ocean Blue Spa at San Montano provides a comprehensive range of wellness services, from traditional mineral-rich mud therapies to physiotherapy, osteopathy and kinesiotherapy. The indoor spa area houses five treatment rooms, a sauna, hammam, Kneipp pool and multi-sensory experience showers, while an outdoor treatment space on the Lemontano terrace lets guests enjoy therapies surrounded by the island’s natural beauty.
© Serena Eller
Culinary offerings at San Montano celebrate southern Italy’s traditions with a strong emphasis on hyper-seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, many harvested from the hotel’s own gardens. Executive Chef Francesco Scotto di Minico has developed a zero-kilometer approach, highlighting Ischian flavors through handpicked produce, locally caught seafood and artisanal regional products.
La Veranda serves contemporary Italian fine dining, with dishes that range from lobster panzanella to ravioli with Ischian rabbit sauce. Franco’s occupies a sunlit terrace overlooking Ischia’s hills and focuses on fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables and Neapolitan-style pizzas. For lighter poolside fare, Acropoli Bar offers pizzas, paninis and snacks, while Sunset Bar is an island favorite for aperitivo—featuring live piano and harp, a curated selection of spritzes and craft cocktails, and panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples.
Outside the resort, guests can hike to the summit of Monte Epomeo for wide-reaching island views, visit centuries-old vineyards to sample indigenous Biancolella and Forastera wines, explore locations tied to the novel and TV series My Brilliant Friend, or charter a private boat to discover hidden coves and secluded beaches. Just a short ferry ride from Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Ischia pairs a rich history, vibrant culinary scene and abundant natural attractions to offer an immersive Italian escape.