Perched atop Mount Vico on Italy’s island of Ischia, San Montano Resort & Spa, the 65-room luxury retreat offering sweeping views of the Bay of Naples all the way to Mount Vesuvius, debuts an extensive renovation this month, featuring newly-refresh suites and public spaces, immersive new guest offerings, and a renewed commitment to the natural beauty and heritage of the island.
Originally built in the 1970s and restored by the De Siano family in 2008, a prominent hospitality family in Ischia spanning three generations, the hotel now reopens as the first phase of a two-part renovation this summer, bringing a refreshed look to the storied property that blends the island’s authentic charm with a refined Neapolitan aesthetic. The refreshed updates include newly designed suites, refreshed interiors throughout the main building and pool deck, their new signature Lighthouse Suite, as well as the introduction of immersive guest experiences and a holistic wellness program. With 11 outdoor thermal pools, four dining and drinking venues, a spa specializing in volcanic mud and healing waters, a beach club, three private speedboats, and seven acres of lush parkland, San Montano’s renovation welcomes the iconic property’s newest chapter, further enhancing the hotel’s unique experience and inviting guests to immerse themselves in Ischia’s rich natural beauty.
REDESIGNED SPACES & SUITES WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS
Paying homage to Italy’s rich design legacy, the hotel’s overall renovation incorporates elements from post-war masters like Gio Ponti and Ico Parisi, while embracing hyperlocal craftsmanship & the surrounding Mediterranean landscape. Designed by Rino Gambardella and Claudio Pulicati (who also designed Amalfi-based Borgo Santandrea, co-owned by the De Siano family) San Montano’s renovation focuses on locally sourced materials, warm natural fabrics, and a thoughtfully curated color palette to create harmony with Ischia’s lush natural scenery. With thoughtful artisanal touches, such as reclaimed antique majolica tiles that have been repurposed into bespoke furnishings, San Montano’s refreshed design seamlessly blends the heritage of the island with modern sophistication. In prioritizing sustainability, San Montano has increased its focus on drought-resistant greenery and the reintroduction of native Mediterranean vegetation, enhancing the natural beauty of the property while aiding in a more balanced microclimate.
With four different room types and 15 luxuriously appointed suites, San Montano welcomes every kind of traveler. Newly updated guest accommodations embrace the deep blue color palette of the Mediterranean paired with modern, clean finishings crafted from marble and terracotta, alongside custom-made furnishings using natural fabrics & fibers. All suites feature a private pool or jacuzzi, offering a secluded retreat with stunning sea or garden views. Standout options include the Amalfi Sunrise suite, with its spacious infinity pool overlooking the Gulf of Naples; and the Ischia Sunset suite, a romantic escape with an intimate jacuzzi and panoramic terrace.
INTRODUCING THE LIGHTHOUSE SUITE
Among the most anticipated additions for 2025 is the Lighthouse Suite, a stunning two-bedroom villa housed in a former military lighthouse. Perched at the highest point of the resort, the brand-new suite is a masterpiece of refined luxury and seclusion, accommodating up to six guests across two guest rooms. Occupying the ancient Akropolis of Pithecusae, or «high city», the Lighthouse Suite was originally the site of the first Greek colony in the Western Mediterranean dating back to 770 BC, used as a strategic vantage point for the Greeks and later evolving into a naval watchtower in WWI and II. Today, this historically rich site has been reimagined by San Montano as Ischia’s most exclusive retreat, blending millennia of heritage with refined, contemporary Italian design.
The villa features a striking 90-square-meter, glass-enclosed living space aptly called the «Winter Garden,» which seamlessly merges indoor & outdoor living. With a retractable roof, a fully equipped kitchen, and a beautifully appointed lounge, the Winter Garden offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Blending traditional Neapolitan elements with modern elegance, the Lighthouse Suite’s interiors boast custom-designed furniture & artisan-crafted features, including a terracotta floor from the esteemed Fornace De Martino in Salerno, decorative mosaics with antique majolica tiles reclaimed from old Neapolitan villas, and a rich palette of natural materials including Canaletto Walnut, linen, and raffia. Mid-century modern pieces have been specially commissioned from the prestigious Tosconova in Florence and Milanese craftsman Paolo Erba, introducing in a new layer of elevated sensibility. One of the suite’s standout features is its repurposed 1940s military warehouse guest room, where a unique circular bathroom showcases original portholes that frame mesmerizing sea views. A private garden, complete with a plunge pool and shaded by fragrant olive & lemon trees, creates a serene escape where guests can savor the island’s legendary sunsets.
A SANCTUARY OF WELLNESS
Set against Ischia’s lush landscape and mineral-rich waters, and built directly over the island’s famed thermal springs, San Montano’s legendary natural pools offer therapeutic benefits and stress relief with wellness offerings that take full advantage of the island’s natural healing elements. Guests can immerse themselves in one of their five thermal pools, each heated to a different temperature for a revitalizing circuit treatment. Six additional outdoor pools, including a large seawater pool, provide ample space for relaxation. The hotel’s natural grotto sauna, carved into the rock and warmed by thermal waters, adds to the immersive wellness experience.
San Montano’s Ocean Blue Spa offers an extensive menu of treatments, from traditional mineral-rich mud therapies, to physiotherapy, osteop and kinesiotherapy. Their tranquil indoor area features five treatment rooms, a sauna, hammam, Kneipp pool, and experience showers, while the discreet outdoor treatment area on the Lemontano terrace allows guests to connect with the natural beauty of the island. With a focus on local ingredients and centuries-old Ischian wellness traditions, the spa is designed to restore balance and rejuvenate the body and mind. Along with the first phase of the renovation, the property debuts immersive new wellness programming, such as guided hiking tours to the volcanic peak of Monte Epomeo, yoga sessions in the hotel’s gardens, cooking classes using hyper-local ingredients, and stargazing through the hotel’s telescope in their ancient turret with an expert astronomer.
ELEVATED SOUTHERN ITALIAN CUISINE
San Montano celebrates southern Italy’s rich culinary traditions with a focus on fresh, hyperseasonal ingredients—many sourced from the hotel’s own gardens. Executive Chef Francesco Scotto di Minico has curated a «zero-kilometer» menu that highlights the flavors of Ischia, using handpicked produce, locally caught seafood, and artisanal ingredients from top regional purveyors.
Featuring a diverse selection of on-property dining options, La Veranda, is the hotel’s elegant fine dining restaurant where contemporary Italian dishes shine, from lobster panzanella to ravioli with traditional Ischian rabbit sauce. Franco’s, suspended on a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the Ischian hills, serves fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, and standout Neapolitan pizzas—including their signature Lemontano, topped with mortadella, buffalo mozzarella, pistachios, and lemon zest. For poolside bites and cocktails, Acropoli Bar offers light poolside fare, from pizzas to paninis, while the Sunset Bar is the island’s go-to for aperitivo, with live piano & harp music, a gorgeous selection of spritzes & craft cocktails, and panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples. Wine lovers can also explore the hotel’s extensive cellar, featuring Campania’s finest vintages, with private tastings available for those looking to dive deeper into the region’s winemaking heritage.
PREMIER DESTINATION FOR WELLNESS & AUTHENTIC LUXURY
San Montano Resort & Spa offers a front-row seat to Ischia’s natural beauty, with panoramic views of the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Known for its therapeutic thermal waters, volcanic landscapes, and lush Mediterranean gardens, Ischia is a haven for relaxation and exploration. Guests can hike to the summit of Monte Epomeo for sweeping island vistas, visit centuries-old vineyards to taste indigenous Biancolella and Forastera wines, tour legendary sights from the novel & TV show My Brilliant Friend, or take a private boat along the coast to uncover hidden coves and secluded beaches. With its rich history, vibrant culinary scene, and deep connection to nature, Ischia offers an immersive Italian escape just a short ferry ride from Naples or the Amalfi Coast.
San Montano Resort & Spa
Via Nuova Montevico, 26
Lacco Ameno, 80076
Italy
+39 081 994033
