Ischia’s San Montano Resort And Spa Joins Relais And Châteaux, Elevating Italy’s Luxury Hospitality Scene

Published on December 5, 2025

Located at a higher point, the San Montano Resort And Spa has reached the blue waters of the Bay of Naples, Italy, the new Relais And Châteaux member, which marks the first time that the renowned hospitality network has included a property on Ischia. This integration comes right after a year full of changes during which the resort went through a renovation and enlargement, guest experience redesigning and also reasserting the island’s heritage as its commitment. The inclusion in the list of prestigious hotels has changed the scenario not only for San Montano but also for Ischia and the entire Italian luxury hotel market.

Refreshed Suites and Elevated Design

Under the stewardship of the local De Siano Family, which acquired the hotel in 2008, San Montano has long been a cornerstone of Ischian hospitality.

In 2025, the resort unveiled the results of a major redesign crafted by architects Rino Gambardella and Claudio Pulicati, the creative minds behind the celebrated sister property Borgo Santandrea.

The 65-room resort now features a variety of room types and 15 redesigned suites. Interiors are inspired by post-war Italian design masters, blending a Mediterranean colour palette with natural materials like marble, terracotta, walnut and artisan fabrics. Reclaimed antique majolica tilework, handcrafted furniture, and bespoke finishes pay homage to local craftsmanship.

The crown jewel of this renovation is the newly introduced Lighthouse Suite, a two-bedroom villa housed in a restored former military lighthouse perched at the highest point of the resort. With 360 degree views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Naples, a glass-enclosed Winter Garden, private garden and plunge pool, this suite offers seclusion and luxury at the highest level.

Thermal Waters, Wellness and Mediterranean Well-Being

What sets San Montano apart is not just style, but its deep-rooted connection to Ischia’s volcanic landscape. Built directly over the island’s famed thermal springs, the resort draws on these mineral-rich waters to offer a restorative, wellness-centred experience, something that lends itself beautifully to the ethos of Relais & Châteaux.

The resort boasts 11 outdoor thermal pools, multiple seawater pools, and a natural grotto sauna carved into rock, harnessing the therapeutic legacy of Ischia’s volcanic springs.

Its spa, dubbed Ocean Blue Spa, offers treatments rooted in local traditions: volcanic mud therapies, physiotherapy, kinesiotherapy, hammam, experience showers, and even outdoor treatments on terraces overlooking the sea.

To complement the wellness offering, the resort’s updated programming also includes guided hikes to the island’s volcanic peak Monte Epomeo, yoga sessions in Mediterranean gardens, cooking classes using locally sourced ingredients, and even stargazing sessions from the ancient turret.

Culinary Identity and Local Immersion

Aligning with its hospitality mission, San Montano focuses on Southern Italian culinary traditions and a zero-kilometre philosophy: many ingredients, herbs, vegetables, produce, are sourced from the resort’s own gardens or from nearby regional purveyors.

Dining venues include the refined fine-dining restaurant La Veranda, where dishes such as lobster panzanella and traditional Neapolitan ravioli shine; Franco’s Restaurant on a sun-drenched terrace serves fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables and signature pizzas; while the Sunset Bar and Acropoli Bar offer poolside bites, spritzes and panoramic views for evening aperitivo.

For guests keen to discover the surrounding region, the resort can arrange private boat excursions, visits to ancient vineyards to sample indigenous wines, or trips to the island’s historical and natural sites, offering a travel experience that goes far beyond the hotel grounds.

What Joining Relais & Châteaux Means for Ischia And Italy

The induction of San Montano into Relais & Châteaux is significant both symbolically and practically. As Ischia’s first member of the prestigious association, the resort brings the island into the global fold of independent, high-end hospitality, raising its profile among discerning international travellers and luxury seekers.

This move arrives at a moment when Ischia is emerging as a quiet alternative to its more famous neighbours, offering volcanic wellness, Mediterranean tranquillity and an island pace that contrasts with the bustle of the Amalfi Coast or Capri. The refurbished resort, with its commitment to design, sustainability, local culture and immersive experiences, reinforces Italy’s appeal as a destination where luxury can coexist with authenticity and natural beauty.

For the Italian hospitality sector more broadly, San Montano’s elevation underscores a growing appetite for resorts that offer more than just upscale amenities, but storytelling, heritage, wellness and a profound sense of place. Such resorts help diversify Italy’s luxury offerings beyond well-worn city and coastal circuits, spotlighting lesser-known gems for travellers searching for deep cultural immersion and mindful travel experiences.

Human Touch: A Home Reborn, An Island Rediscovered

At its heart, the De Siano family describe the newly elevated San Montano not simply as a hotel, but as their home, lovingly shaped by generations and dedicated to the island’s culture and people. Their hope is that every guest feels this personal ethos: that the resort is a sanctuary to return to, a place where one can slow down, reconnect with nature, and rediscover the rhythm of Ischia.

San Montano, which was supported by Relais & Châteaux, is the outcome of a one-year-long detailed renovation. The hotel now embodies the ability of Italy’s luxury hospitality sector to develop further, to mix tradition and modernity, rest and being active, opulence and genuineness. Besides, Ischia, through San Montano, has become a more prominent destination on the global luxury travel map for those who want a Mediterranean vacation filled with past, warmth, nature, and exquisite style, now.

Image Credit: San Montano Resort And Spa