Tanya D
Google
Ahhh, such a wondrous place to stay in Sant’Angelo. ||||My adult daughter and I are Texans who live in Paris. We learned of Ischia from neighbours who have visited there each summer for 40 years—now we know why! Incroyable! ||||We planned this as our first trip since the covid crisis, choosing Ischia in great part due to the island's tremendous, responsible vaccination efforts (100% of eligible adults vaxxed since last April), on top of our neighbors’ referral. We spent ten days in Ischia, sampling three places on the island. From our experience, you cannot find greater seaside relaxation than in Sant’Angelo, and we felt so grateful to experience the warm hospitality provided at Hotel Casa Celestino. ||||The moment we walked in the entryway, the charming, efficient, and long-time employee Francesca greeted us enthusiastically and took care of our every need. Francesca’s hospitable stewardship of guests’ day-in/day-out needs gives Casa Celestino it’s shine. She deserves to be lauded. ||||The hotel’s spotless, lovely rooms are spacious and comfy; from good linens to exquisite tile-work to our wonderful private balcony, we enjoyed our top-floor perch over the bay. Luxuriating on that peaceful veranda, we relished stunning morning sunrises over the bay and incredible sunsets each evening. I loved seeing a local gent each morning steering his golf-cart (no cars allowed in the town’s center) with his dog happily trotting behind, enjoying a bit of exercise. What joy to witness two shooting stars from our balcony—one stretching clear across the bay! ||||A generous, varied breakfast (included) at the hotel’s lovely open-air bayside restaurant provided a delightful way to begin each day; the friendly staff made good coffee and attended to every delightful detail. I appreciated the variety of fresh fruit provided to enjoy with my yogurt, while my daughter loved more traditional continental fare, and we both sampled the assorted and divine tart-like pastries each morning. ||||We chose Sant’Angelo because we wanted relaxation-on-the beach time. We easily visited the small beach along the bay close to the hotel several times, and I also enjoyed sunning/reading/swimming off the gorgeous Punta Sant’Angelo that captures the best end-of-day sun. With beach-gear in a bag, we also took the 4€ water taxi over to the Maronti beach several times, selecting a beach spot (chairs and umbrellas) that corresponded with a restaurant we had previously scouted for a visit. Reading, sunning, sipping cool beverages, and swimming in the absolutely perfect water, followed by lunching on seafood pasta, then repeating the morning's “tasks” was balm for our souls. We affirmed that our decision to stay in Sant’Angelo with occasional visits to Maronti beach was the most peaceful way to enjoy the southern side of Ischia. ||||For dinners in Sant’Angelo, we found multiple excellent establishments from which to choose, from the excellent restaurant at our hotel to several others within walking distance. Thank goodness for the expertise Italians have with respect to preparing fresh seafood and pasta. One can never have enough.||||I’d be remiss if I did not mention something that occurred while we stayed in Sant’Angelo. While there, we unfortunately learned of a heartbreaking event that occurred elsewhere, far away from Ischia. The minute that the hotel staff discovered our distress, they literally went above and beyond hospitality to absolute compassion. Their kindness reminded us that every dark cloud has a silver lining, and we are most grateful for their benevolence. I will never forget our meaningful interactions with Francesca, Antonito, the cleaning staff, and Carla, the owner. ||||Carla steers this multi-decade family-owned establishment professionally and diligently, but also with magnanimity. We LOVED the hotel and Sant’Angelo itself, but we have even more reason to return because of the kindness of its owner and staff. We enjoyed a magical vacation and will absolutely visit enchanting Ischia and Casa Celestino again.
