The Travelista

  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborations
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Travel
    • Destinations by World Map
    • Hotels
    • Airlines
    • Restaurants
    • Itineraries
  • Life
    • Yorkshire
    • Style
  • Motherhood
  • Inspire Me
    • Adventure
    • Beach
    • City
    • Culture
    • Mountain
    • Tropical
  • Shop
    • E-mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Italian Charm at Garden & Villas Resort, Ischia

19/06/16 ᛫ 6 Comments

As my blog has evolved over the years, my love affair with boutique hotels has grown and grown. For me, the creativity, quirky details and personal service of a boutique hotel will forever trump the safe predictableness of a hotel chain. This has been my view on hotels for a while, but it was only made stronger during my recent stay at Garden & Villas Resort on the Italian island of Ischia.

I stayed at Garden & Villas Resort for 3 nights with my best friend earlier this month. It was the first stop on our South Italy adventure through Naples, Ischia, Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi (more on that later). Unfortunately, like many European boutique hotels, the website of this place does not do it justice and after just a few hours of being at the resort, all of my expectations had been exceeded. Here is my experience of Garden & Villas Resort Ischia…

garden-villas-resport-ischia-the-travelista-2

First Impressions

Beyond the salubrious gated entrance, a vine-covered path leads the way towards a cosy reception area that is covered in ivy and greenery. After our long journey consisting of a flight, a layover in Naples and a rather choppy ferry crossing, the scent-infused cold towel on arrival was a well received touch. Before our easy check-in and quick briefing was over, our bags had already been whisked off to our room by the porters.

garden-villas-resport-ischia8

A Labyrinth of Secret Gardens  

Walking in to Garden & Villas Resort Ischia is the closest I have ever come to entering the Garden of Eden. The rooms and suites are within a selection of larger villas that sit amongst acres of immaculately landscaped gardens. Although Ischia has plenty of spectacular coastlines, this place is all about the land and gardens of Ischia. The peaceful ambience of the gardens and the relaxing fountain trickles was a welcome contrast from the cosmopolitan streets of London.

garden-villas-resport-ischia5

DSC_0130 DSC_0310

We made the most of the gardens by doing outdoor HIIT workouts every morning. At the end of each session I felt refreshed and energised, ready to take on the day.

garden-villas-resport-ischia-the-travelista-blog

The Room 

There are lots of different room categories at Garden & Villas Resort, but even the entry-level rooms are spacious and come with a large outdoor terrace section. I would say the décor in the rooms is slightly dated and not as contemporary as I would usually like in a hotel, but with so much charm and character, it really didn’t matter. The furnishings were definitely of a high quality.

garden-villas-resport-ischia2

garden-villas-resport-ischia9

Home Grown Produce

One thing that I loved about Garden & Villas Resort is that they grow all of their own fruits, herbs and vegetables right in the grounds of the resort. Everything that is grown on site is then served in the hotel restaurant, so you know you’re eating the freshest local produce available.

garden-villas-resport-ischia10

The resort even has it’s own vegetable garden which is an absolute joy to explore. Colourful lemon trees line the pathways and there is fresh basil and mint growing everywhere. Knowing the basil on your pizza and the mint in your mojito was picked fresh under an hour ago makes the taste even better.

garden-villas-resport-ischia4

garden-villas-resport-ischia-basil

Twinkling lights at La Grotta  

The hotel bar (otherwise known as La Grotta) is a hidden delight within the hotel grounds. Set within a natural cave and surrounded by trees and twinkling lights, La Grotta is romantic, atmospheric and utterly charming. La Grotta’s Bartender Lorenzo is a genius behind the bar and goes above and beyond to look after guests.

On the first night we ordered two Rossini’s at the bar (prosecco with a fresh strawberry puree). He had ran out of strawberries behind the bar so called through to the kitchen staff to bring a new batch over from the restaurant just to make our chosen cocktail. That’s what I call incredible service.

DSC_0026

Poolside Dining

Garden & Villas Resort has just 1 restaurant, but it’s worth returning time and time again for. With an elegant indoor brassiere and an outdoor poolside terrace for casual dining, each meal feels like a different occasion. At lunchtimes the traditional pizza oven is fired up to served guests the freshest, doughtiest pizzas made right in front of you.

DSC_0089

garden-villas-resport-ischia-pizza-making

garden-villas-resport-ischia-pizza

On the first day we had a heavenly lunch by the pool which consisted of a pizza, a bowl of fresh pesto pasta and a caprese salad. I still dream of that lunch today! The sun was shining and I had a glass of delicious local wine in hand. It was the perfect combination of simple pleasures and I will remember that lunch for a very long time!

garden-villas-resport-ischia-the-travelista

garden-villas-resport-ischia-food

Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast at Garden & Villas Resort is an absolute pleasure, where nothing is too much trouble. If you’re still half asleep upon arrival, the fresh Italian coffee and spritely energy of the waiters is enough to perk you up in no time.

garden-villas-resport-ischia-breakfast

There is an expansive continental buffet to choose from and hot dishes are made to order. Those feeling extra indulgent can help themselves to a morning glass of prosecco or two, which of course we had to try out at least once!
 garden-villas-resport-ischia7

The Verdict

From Lorenzo behind the bar to the welcoming waiters in the restaurant, it’s the staff at Garden & Villas Resort that set it apart. Although it’s a 4-star resort, the service here is undoubtedly 5-star. I loved the feeling of being tucked away in a secret garden and enjoyed discovering all the charming nooks and crannies of the grounds. If you’re looking for a unique and tranquil boutique hotel on the Island of Ischia, Garden & Villas Resort is perfect for you.

the-travelista-jess-gibson

Perfect for; Older couples looking for total rest and relaxation. Those with a love of nature and peaceful  surroundings.

What did you think of Garden & Villas Resort? Are you thinking of a trip to Ischia? If you enjoyed this post I’d love you to write me a comment in the box below x

My stay at Garden & Villas Resort was complimentary as part of a press trip. All views are my own.

6 Comments

Related Posts

  • Barefoot Luxury at Cape View Clifton, Cape Town
  • 15 Reasons to Visit Athens on a City Break
  • A Local’s City Guide to Liverpool
« Food & Fashion in Kefalonia
Photo Post: A Day at Taste of London »

Comments

  1. The Dubai Diaries says

    21st June 2016 at 2:06 pm

    This looks so pretty! I definitely agree that boutique hotels are the way to go – I stay in chain hotels all the time on layovers so always try to pick somewhere with a bit more charm when we’re going on holiday! Looking forward to reading about all of the other places in Italy you visited, I’ve just been to Bologna which was a lovely city (and of course you can’t beat Italian food!).

    Rachel
    http://thedubaidiaries.me/2016/06/17/sunshine-aperol-in-bologna-italy/

    P.s. Where is that gorgeous skirt/top combo from?! xx

    Reply
    • thetravelistablog says

      23rd June 2016 at 2:26 pm

      Hi Rachel! Totally agree that chains can be good for a quick pitstop as you know the quality is guaranteed and you know what to expect, but for something little more adventurous or a personal holiday, boutique is the way to go! Bologna sounds beautiful, I am going to read your post on this now! xx P.s Skirt and top combo is from Miss Selfridge but last Summer season! xx

      Reply
  2. Katharina says

    20th June 2016 at 10:30 am

    I love this hotel. I totally agree that boutique hotels (if chosen carefully) often trump chains. Although chains offer you a certain predictability and safety, they are more often than not soulless. It’s a shame that many boutique hotels have off-putting websites. it is so easy and cheap to have a nice website these days.
    This hotel seems beautiful. I particularly like the garden and the home grown products!

    Reply
    • thetravelistablog says

      23rd June 2016 at 2:27 pm

      You’re so right Katharina! This place could do with a major website re design but at least it means when you arrive you are even more impressed by the whole place! It exceeded all of my expectations. The home grown products were a lovely touch xx

      Reply
  3. Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN) says

    20th June 2016 at 9:38 am

    I often find room in Italian hotels can be dated (even the Four Seasons) but it’s actually part of the charm. The beautiful grounds, friendly service and amazing food make up for it.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      20th June 2016 at 1:40 pm

      So true Angie! There seems to be a common thread but there’s something about the quirky decor that makes it even more charming. Xxx

      Reply

Spark a conversation! Cancel reply

Jess is an an award-winning travel blogger based in Yorkshire, navigating the world as a new Mum to baby Theo. Blogging about adventures both local and global.

Read More

Booking.com

Subscribe

Never Miss a Post!

Latest Posts

The Ultimate Cruise Ship Guide to Enchanted Princess

An Indulgent Escape at Columbia Beach Resort, Cyprus

14 of the most Instagrammable places in Leeds

Follow on Instagram

My favourite things about cruising. Where to start My favourite things about cruising. Where to start? 💭 Waking up in new places, meeting new people, the views, the food, the glamour, the spa, the service, the sunsets, the margs. The adventure! ✨

New blog posts about my European sampler cruise onboard #EnchantedPrincess are now live on thetravelista.net. You’ll find; 

1️⃣ The Ultimate Cruise Ship Guide to Enchanted Princess
2️⃣ 9 Reasons to try Cruising with Kids (which I’ll be doing later this year 🥳☺️)

& more blog posts from previous cruises. Just type ‘cruise’ in the search bar. 

Hope these posts come in useful for some of you. I’ll add blog links to my stories. Feel free to also leave any cruising Q’s in the comments. ☺️💓
I have news! 🥳 Read the full caption to find ou I have news! 🥳 Read the full caption to find out more. 

Before Covid, The Travelista was my full time job and sole source of income. Like many others, my business and its earnings took a huge hit during the pandemic. So in August 2020 I started a comms job working 3 days a week for a UK charity.

I continued to work on creating content for The Travelista in my spare time, working weekends, evenings and any moments I wasn’t on Mum duty. I’ve spread myself so thin at times, but in the back of my head I knew The Travelista was a plant I needed to keep watering so that I had the option to hopefully one day return to doing it full time again. Slowly the brand work and travel campaigns began to pick up again until I felt ready to take the leap back into self-employment.

I've officially handed in my notice at my comms job and feel 100% ready to work on The Travelista exclusively again. I also love that I will get to choose my own hours again, spend more time with Theo and restore a little more balance and wellbeing to my life.

I am very proud to be a small business owner and to create content firstly for you, my audience, and secondly for the amazing brands and destinations I work with. 

I have a list of ideas longer than my arm so here’s to bringing some BBE - big business energy - to the second half of 2022. 

Thank you for all following and supporting my account as this next step would not be possible without having you all onboard for the ride. ✨🤍
Ad Rediscovering my uni city of Newcastle after mo Ad Rediscovering my uni city of Newcastle after moving here 13 years ago aged 18 🥹❤️ @mykindoftoon @visitengland 

This trip was a glorious mix of nostalgia from uni days and discovery of new places. Places featured are tagged below 👇🏼 ☺️ #EscapeTheEveryday 

Do you have a connection to Newcastle or is it somewhere you’d like to visit? 

@balticgateshead 
@thegraingermarket 
@wc_newcastle 
@crowneplazancl 
@kilnouseburn 
@7stories 
@thebiscuitfactorygallery
Ad Newcastle, I love you! 💓 I moved to Newcast Ad Newcastle, I love you! 💓

I moved to Newcastle as a student aged 18, and I loved every second of the three years I called this city home. This weekend I got to return with my best friend Fi, who I met on the first week of moving here. 

13 years later (wow), we have had so much fun retracing our old steps, reminiscing and discovering new areas of the city we once called home. 

After spending 2 days here I can confirm that I have just as many *feels* for this place as I did on that first University open day my Dad took me to aged 17. The friendly people, the compactness of the city, the bars and restaurants, the architecture, the sheer value for money (seriously, where else can you get a glass of Prosecco for £3.95?). Swipe for some highlights which include;

1️⃣A walk along the Quayside 
2️⃣Returning to Francesca’s pizzeria in Jesmond for the ‘half pizza half pasta’ (if you know you know)
3️⃣Special access to climb to the top of Grey’s Monument 
4️⃣Discovering the up-and-coming areas of Ouseburn
5️⃣Brunch at @kilnouseburn, a unique ceramic cafe and studio
6️⃣Buying pick ’n’ mix at @graingermarket like old times
7️⃣Strolling down my old favourite streets such as Side 
8️⃣Margaritas at @wc_newcastle, a bar that was once a public toilets on the Bigg Market 

Stay tuned for my reel and stories for the full recap of what we got up to, and what I’d recommend doing on your own weekend away in Newcastle. 

#EscapeTheEveryday
@mykindoftoon
@visitengland
Just because someone carries it well doesn’t mea Just because someone carries it well doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy. 

A reminder that this app only shows a small percentage of someone’s life, and that percentage is usually the “best bits”. Never compare all facets of your own life to another persons highlight reel. 

Sending love and kindness to anyone struggling today. We all do 🌿
I never realised camping would have so many satisf I never realised camping would have so many satisfying sounds 🔈🌿

Where are my fellow ASMR fans at? 🫠

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Subscribe for Travelista updates and newsletters

Latest Video

  • 3847likes
  • 19680followers
  • 10034followers
  • 2050subscribers

Copyright © 2022 · Design by Gatto

Copyright © 2022 · The Travelista on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ
  • Contact