Strand Hotel Delfini

"This was my first time visiting Italy, and I travelled with two friends (all aged 20–21). We had a fantastic holiday overall, and this hotel played a big part in making it so memorable. The stunning views, welcoming staff and excellent facilities made for a wonderful stay. The Highlights The views are absolutely breathtaking. I've travelled to Spain and Greece several times, but I've never stayed anywhere with scenery quite like this. The views of the castle and coastline were spectacular and one of the main reasons I would recommend this hotel. The hotel's seafront decking area was probably our favourite part of the property. Situated right by the water, it offers direct access to the sea via steps leading down to crystal-clear water. Swimming here while looking across to the castle was an unforgettable experience. The pool area was peaceful and generally very well maintained. There was a shallower section with massage jets and a deeper swimming area. Although only one of the jets was working during our stay and there was occasionally some debris in the water from the surrounding trees, this was understandable given the natural setting. The sunbeds deserve special mention. Many had built-in shade overhead, which was a welcome feature during the hottest parts of the day, and there were plenty of parasols available around both the pool and waterfront areas. Breakfast Breakfast was eaten in a beautiful setting, with guests eating outside overlooking the sea before entering the main dining area for food and drinks. The breakfast selection was fairly basic but sufficient for us. There were fresh croissants, bread, spreads, juices and a coffee machine available every morning. Hot breakfast items such as scrambled eggs and sausages appeared on some days, but not consistently. The fruit selection could have been improved, as much of it was not fully ripe, although the pineapple and melon served on a couple of mornings were excellent. While we were happy with the options available, some guests may expect a wider and more varied breakfast selection from a four-star hotel. The Room Our room was attractive, clean and comfortable. It consisted of a double bed made from two single beds and a separate single bed. As close friends, we found the room spacious enough for the three of us, although larger groups or families may prefer one of the suites or family rooms. The mini-fridge was particularly useful for storing drinks, snacks and leftovers from dinners out. One improvement I'd suggest would be adding a kettle to the room. This is something I would normally expect in a four-star hotel, especially as coffees purchased outside breakfast were charged to the room. Many sockets in the room were not working, or were difficult to use despite the correct 2-pin adapters. I'd recommend bringing mosquito spray too, as although we didn't get bitten many managed to fly into the room. Unfortunately, our arrival wasn't ideal. We discovered there was no hot water and the shower wasn't functioning, meaning we couldn't freshen up after a long day of travelling. The room safe was also broken due to flat batteries. Reception informed us these issues couldn't be resolved until the following day, which was disappointing. To the hotel's credit, both problems were fixed the next day after we followed up, and staff also offered us an upgrade to a family suite. By that point we had already settled into our room and everything was working properly, so we chose to stay where we were. We were located on level -1 and had lovely sea views, although guests hoping for direct castle views may want to request a higher floor. I had read reviews mentioning plumbing issues before arriving, but aside from the initial shower problem, we experienced no significant issues during the remainder of our stay. Housekeeping was excellent throughout. Our room was cleaned daily, bedding was refreshed regularly, and the air conditioning worked well. I'd recommend putting pizza from the previous night in the fridge as we left it in a box in a cooler area of the room and it was binned by cleaners... Location and Transport The hotel's location is beautiful but somewhat isolated. On our first day we attempted to walk to a local shop and found the uphill roads challenging, with some sections lacking pavements. However, public transport was excellent. The 182 and 183 buses stop directly outside the hotel and provide easy access to Ischia Porto. Tickets cost €2.20 when purchased onboard (cash only) or €1.70 if bought in advance at the bus station. I'd strongly recommend the 183 service, which reaches Ischia Porto in around 15 minutes compared to roughly 40 minutes on the 182. One thing to note is that buses can become less reliable later in the evening. After nights out we occasionally found ourselves waiting at the station around midnight, so taxis may be a better option for late-night journeys. Exploring Ischia There are plenty of excellent bars and restaurants around both Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte. We ate out every evening, enjoying mostly pizza and pasta, and found plenty of vegetarian-friendly options. The hotel restaurant was outside our budget, although reviews suggest the food is excellent. For younger travellers, I'd recommend Porto 51 and several of the bars along the Porto strip. We visited during the Italian Republic Day celebrations and the atmosphere was fantastic, with street parties and celebrations throughout the area. I’d really recommend the pizzeria down the main road which you pass as you come down the hill from the hotel, just before you turn right as if you were off to the Ischia Ponte. It was delicious food, perfect for a quick meal if you want something yummy after a long day without going into the Ponte or Porto! We would also recommend getting the Google Translate App so that you can use the camera function to take a picture on menus so they translate into English! One practical tip for groups of friends: splitting restaurant bills seemed less common than in Spain or Greece, so it may be easier to take turns paying. Staff The staff were generally warm, friendly and welcoming. We received a welcome drink and hotel tour upon arrival, and staff were always helpful when we requested bus timetables, glasses for our room or local advice. A Few Drawbacks The hotel was mostly peaceful, although there were occasionally guests playing music and videos loudly around the waterfront area. There are also numerous party boats during the day, playing loud music by the sea, also the hotel is located next to a popular beach club which also contributes to this. These issues may have been due to the bank holiday and didn't bother us much however other guests may have found them disruptive. Despite appearing to market itself largely towards couples, there were several children and dogs staying at the hotel during our visit. This wasn't a problem for us, but it's worth knowing if you're expecting an adults-only atmosphere. The biggest disappointment came when a wedding was hosted at the hotel during our stay. While we completely understand that weddings are an important part of the hotel's business, the event significantly impacted facilities available to paying guests. The pool area was partially closed while tables and decorations were set up, the breakfast area was occupied for wedding preparations, and a band rehearsed loudly throughout the afternoon near the seafront decking. Most frustratingly, we were asked to leave the waterfront area at 6pm to accommodate the wedding. As guests who had paid to use these facilities, this felt unfair, particularly given the hotel's location away from any public beach. The following day, decorations were still being dismantled and maintenance work continued around the pool area, affecting the guest experience for more than just one evening. The wedding itself was loud, but we'd anticipated this based on previous reviews and spent the evening out in Ischia Porto. Lost Property One issue that could have been handled better involved a sentimental item accidentally left behind by my friend after checkout. Initially, staff appeared quite dismissive and repeatedly stated they couldn't locate it. After considerable persistence and several follow-up enquiries, the item was eventually found and returned. We were relieved by the outcome, but the process could certainly have been smoother. Day Trips We took a day trip to Naples via ferry, which was one of the highlights of our holiday. We spent the day visiting museums, galleries, vintage shops and sightseeing. I'd recommend choosing a rainy day for this excursion so you don't lose valuable beach time on Ischia. Just be aware that the ferry crossing can be rough if you're prone to seasickness. The only disappointment came from a TUI excursion to Procida. Despite arriving at Ischia Porto with plenty of time, we were never provided with a specific meeting point and couldn't locate the tour group. As a result, we missed the excursion entirely. After contacting TUI, we eventually received a full refund, and spent the rest of the day relaxing by the hotel pool instead. Overall Despite a few issues—particularly regarding our arrival, the wedding disruption and the lost property situation—we had a wonderful stay and thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to Italy. The spectacular views, beautiful waterfront setting, peaceful atmosphere, friendly staff and excellent location for exploring Ischia made this a memorable holiday. With a few improvements to breakfast variety, room facilities and communication around private events, this hotel could easily provide an even better guest experience. Rating: 4/5 A beautiful hotel in a stunning location that we'd happily recommend, particularly for couples and anyone looking for breathtaking sea views."

"I stayed here last week with my family. The hotel was welcoming at first, but it didn't take long before we felt like we were burdening them for simple things like a beach towel or water. I paid for a suite that had worms in the toilet, and the ceiling was falling. Every time we sat in a chair, the armrest would fall off. The bar was never open, and the reception would pretend not to see us. The breakfast was terrible, with little to offer, and the coffee machine was constantly breaking. Vittoria was amazing and so attentive! She was the best part of the stay, but do not be fooled by the views the hotel offers, because most hotels on the island have the same amazing view, but with better and cleaner service. Also, most hotels on the island offer water taxis that can take you from the hotel to the port."

"Recently spent 11 nights at the hotel with TUI. On arrival at the hotel at 2pm there were 45 steps to reception, this was not mentioned in the TUI brochure. We found out when we left the hotel that there is a lift that can be used for luggage. There are also many steps down to the sea. This was also not mentioned in the brochure, not an issue for us but people with mobility issues may struggle with the steps. However, the views of the hotel pool areas and the sea and Ischia Ponte and Castle in the background were amazing. The views this hotel has to offer were fabulous, it is worth the long journey from Naples to reach the Hotel for the views. There is no beach at the hotel that we found, as mentioned in the TUI brochure, access to the sea is via steps from the terrace. The terrace down by the sea had limited sunbeds and a snack bar, where young Italian males worked who were friendly and prepared delicious Zingaras which were 12 euros each. The hotel next door also did and charged 7 euros, also offered draft beer and again fantastic views. The pool area offered many sun lounges and in peak season we had no problem in getting one. They came with a mattress and a roof to provide shade which was a great idea. On arrival at reception we were advised that the room was not ready and that we would be offered a welcome drink. This took 20 minutes to arrive after I had returned to reception to enquire. We were told by people sat on the next table that the service is slow as there was only 1 member of staff on at that time. The lady behind reception was very helpful and friendly and gave us lots of information as there was no Welcome Meeting from TUI. The male waiters at breakfast were not. Most days we weren't spoken to at breakfast by the hotel staff, although Victoria did speak sometimes. Breakfast was simple, but adequate. Major issue with eating outside on the terrace due to wasps. The walk to Ischia Ponte was uphill and downhill, took 20 minutes partly along a busy road. A further 25 minutes would take you into Ischia Port, along the coast, a lovely walk. The Port is very busy as you would expect, lots of lovely boutiques if you enjoy shopping, bars and restaurants. An excellent pizza cost as from 5 euros otherwise a typical pasta dish was 18 euros. The hotel is located at the end of a road from Ponte or Port. A 7 day bus pass cost 15 euros and can be bought at the bus station at the port. I'd recommend no 12 bus from the Ponte or Port to the hotel as this doesn't go around the houses or number 13. You can get the 12 or 13 from the hotel, I'd recommend the 13 as this is more direct. Hotel reception have the timetables. Taxis are 20 euros from the Port and 15 euros from Ponte. Rooms were spacious and clean. Maid service was daily and towels changed most days. Plenty of places to visit on Ischia, we took a taxi to Saint Angelo which took 45 minutes. This is a lovely town, with a harbour and beaches, plenty of bars and more expensive boutiques. Beware, there is a public beach which is free, otherwise the other beaches are 50 euros per day for a sunbed and parasol. Overall, a great holiday just a shame that the hotel staff were not more friendly towards the Brits. The Italians had their coffees brought to them at breakfast, we didn't, not really a problem just an observation! Would recommend the hotel, but not if you want a good choice of bars and restaurants on your doorsteps as there are none, except the hotel next door."