세미라미스 호텔 드 샴르메

A lovely escape in a tranquil environment. Comfortable room with an amazing view of the sea. Four thermal pools on different levels with plenty of seating, lush vegetation, good food and friendly service. Beautiful flowers including bougainvillea all around. Just a perfect break.

A peaceful and reassuring experience for a solo traveller. I had a full size sea view room, with a king sized bed, made beautifully clean each day. The reception staff could not have more friendly and helpful, especially Veronica. The airport transfer went smoothly (£85 each way if travelling singly and 50 if others are on board). The thermal pools are situated in a luxuriant, well cared for garden. The pools are there for relaxation not sport being over 80 degrees. I was amused to note one couple standing in the main pool for ages just staring into their phones. I think they may even have been watching films! Useful to know: there are several different buses at the little turnaround terminal right beneath the hotel. The useful no 2 goes to the nearest town Forio and it also took me to the unmissable garden created by the composer William Walton's wife Susana. The no 23 goes to the island capital Ischia Porto from where you can walk or bus (no 7) to the amazing Castle Aragonese. Things to watch out for (obviously nothing to do with the hotel) - mosquitoes and strong waves on the nearby beach Citara bay. The beach slopes steeply and I personally found it tricky getting out of the sea. Once in, it was lovely and the free sandy beach is right on the doorstep. Apparently there's a bit of technique to getting out. There were plenty of other elderly folk managing fine so I just needed to suss out that technique. If I had not been solo, I would possibly have gone on the bus to Forio for my evening meals a few timrs for the sake of choice, but the hotel room terraces (sea view ones) and the local restaurants have tremendous views of the tramonto - sunset.