Hotel Terme Royal Palm

While it appears nice at first glance, it leaves a lot to be desired. Upon entry to our room, I didn’t do a deep look around… I just wanted to shower as we were really salty from a day at the thermal spa. After I woke up this morning and took a closer look 8 realized that it was really lacking for a 4* hotel. Bathroom cleanliness was lacking- especially whatever was on the handle of our bidet- that I’d rather not question. Decor is old and bed isn’t incredibly comfortable. Booking spa services were incredibly frustrating. I called more than 10 times and once they realized I didn’t speak Italian they hung up on me. Finally I got a WhatsApp number that you are supposed to message to book and it took almost an entire day for them to respond, only to not confirm what time we were scheduled for. When we showed up at the spa they had no idea what we were talking about. They still got us in for some of the services we wanted, but I was already frustrated at this point. The pedicure was one of the most bizarre pedicures I’ve ever had and probably one of the worst paint jobs I’ve had. The staff member doing the service was incredibly friendly, but the service was not anywhere near the standards I expected. I wanted a massage but felt incredibly uncomfortable when the masseuse asked me to undress as she was sitting there staring at me. I got so overwhelmed that I just cancelled the massage and left. The ambiance isn’t relaxing, half the time I could hear guys from the kitchen singing at the top of their lungs. There were a few positive. The view from the patio is stunning. I would sit out there all day. The staff in the bar were incredibly friendly and welcoming. We had live music on the patio of Saturday night and it was a great time.

We stayed here as part of a package deal with Voyage Privé so the hotel was allocated by them a few days before our arrival. We received a warm welcome and our cases were carried to our room for us. Reception staff friendly and helpful. Room was an adequate size with large terrace. Bathroom had shower only, with a shower curtain not screen, cheap fittings, thin towels, no robes or slippers like you’d expect in a 4 star (in the UK at least.) Cleaned daily to a good standard. If you struggle with walking then this hotel is probably not for you as there lots of little steps all over the hotel. ( in fact you’d do well to avoid the whole island really) We stayed on a half board basis and had our meals in the Cava restaurant so can’t comment on the other restaurant. Breakfast was typical self-service continental fare but with only 1 coffee machine there was often a long queue. Dinner was self-service appetisers followed by a starter-main-dessert, choice of 3 or 4 dishes for each. Not the greatest food, but it’s mass catering so it would never be a la carte standard. You are allocated a table on your first day and you have to keep to that table for your stay. Want to eat your breakfast at a window table overlooking the sea in the almost empty restaurant? You’ll be moved back to your allocated table by the staff. Waiting staff are not very friendly, although I observed more friendliness to the Italian guests. Bar staff are friendly though. Swimming pools are all very warm. The rule is to wear a swimming cap although I saw lots of people in shower caps, baseball caps etc in the pool so I’m not sure this is enforced. Sunbeds round the pool seemed plentiful. The beach is a 10 minute walk down the hill (15 mins back up though as it’s steep!). The hotel runs a free shuttle bus to and from the beach. On the beach there are private and public areas and it’s a coarse sand beach, nice and clean. To get around the island the no2 bus goes to Ischia port which has the bus station and therefore onward buses to other destinations. You can buy bus tickets at the mini mart by the beach (must pay in cash for bus tickets), the hotel doesn’t sell them. The no 2 terminus is just a little way past the mini mart. If you want to walk into Forio the most pleasant/safest route we found was out of the hotel main entrance, turn right and follow the road. Just after the Albatross hotel turn right onto a narrow tarmacked road and follow this all the way, past the yellow basilica and it eventually drops down into the town where all the shops are. It takes about 30 minutes. Nearest ATMs are in Forio. If you fancy pizza I can recommend Jamm Ja, towards Forio and a little way past the Albatross on the main road, about a 15 min walk.