Botania Relais & Spa

Botania Relais & Spa is located on the island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples. Accessible by ferry from Naples, Ischia is in close proximity to Capri and Procida. By far the largest of the three islands, Ischia also has approximately twenty beaches. Its sandy shores provide plenty of room for sunbathing and relaxation, in contrast to nearby Capri’s rockier coastline.. The Botania Relais & Spa is located in Forio just twenty minutes from bustling Ischia Porto, a port lined with shops and restaurants where travelers can watch the ferries as they dock.

The best way to reach Ischia is via ferry from Naples. These ferries run year-round. Ferries also depart from the towns along the Amalfi Coast on a seasonal schedule. You will dock in one of the three ports on the island: Ischia Porto, Casamicciola, or Forio. Although Ischia Porto is the largest and busiest port, Porto di Forio is the closest to the hotel, just seven minutes by car.

From there, travelers can connect to the Botania Relais & Spa via taxi, rental car, or bus. There is free parking available at the resort. For those choosing to rent a car, be aware that the roads on Ischia are narrow and winding.

The rooms at the Botania Relais & Spa are distributed across ten villas surrounding the restaurant, pool, and spa. Walking paths connect the villas and the main check in area. Even the smallest rooms are spacious and thoughtfully arranged.

Suites………………………………………..55-65 square meters (592-699.6 square feet)
Open Plan Suites with Jacuzzi………….45 square meters (484.4 square feet)
Junior Suites with Jacuzzi………………40 square meters (430.6 square feet)
Master Suites………………………………36 square meters (387.5 square feet)
Deluxe Suites………………………………34-39 square meters (366-419.8 square feet)
Premium Rooms…………………………..28-30 square meters (301.4-322.9 square feet)
Superior Rooms……………………………26-28 square meters (279.9-301.4 square feet)

Each room comes with its own outdoor space, further immersing guests in the nature of the island. Some outdoor areas are completely private, like the balconies attached to upper story rooms, while others may offer a shared patio space. I stayed in a Superior Room with a garden patio and, although it was adjacent to my neighbors patio space, the lush surrounding vegetation and thoughtfully placed retainer walls made it feel like a private oasis.

The ferns, flowers, and fruit trees that make up the property’s botanical garden come right up to the guest room doors, making the accommodations feel like an extension of the island itself. The decor is light and airy, with primarily white furniture and floral accents.

Each room features a flat-screen television, desk, King-sized bed, and small sitting area. Larger suites include sofas and separate living areas.

The botanical gardens at Botania Relais & Spa are intertwined with the guest villas—there is not a spot on the property where you are not surrounded by the local plantlife, lemon trees, and architecture designed to accommodate the surrounding nature. Journey further out from the main guest area to explore a woodsier side of the property, where a terraced forest rises up the side of the hilly landscape. Tucked away along the paths is a hidden swing set, an outdoor gym overlooking a clear vista of the island, several stone picnic tables, outdoor thermal pools, and an onsite amphitheater where guests can take in a concert or show.

My personal favorite feature of the gardens are the lemon trees dotted throughout the property, reminding you at every opportunity of the vibrant landscape and community to which Botania pays homage. Guests can also visit the herb and vegetable gardens that supply the onsite restaurants with the freshest possible produce.

The Botania Relais & Spa has two sets of thermal baths: one indoor and one outdoor. The indoor hot springs are located inside the spa and are free for guests to use. The pools are rarely at capacity, but guests are welcome to reserve a timeslot ahead of time.

To use the pools, guests will first head into the lounge locker room area where they can leave their personal belongings. When getting ready to take a dip, don’t make the same mistake as I did! Start by soaking in the cooler of the two pools (32°C/89°F) before progressing to the sauna, and then to the warmer pool (35°C/95°F). If you reverse the process, you’re in for a chill!

The outdoor pools are located on a higher level of the terraced botanical garden, accessible by walking paths and several sets of stairs. They overlook a stunning view of the ocean and surrounding island scenery. These pools are also free for guest use and do not require a reservation.

While not a thermal bath or spring pool, the main pool at the resort is located just outside the Il Mirto restaurant and heated to a pleasant 28°C/82°F. Tip: No worries if you forgot your sunblock—the resort provides towels and sunblock for guest use on the pool deck.

Ischia is only about 18 square miles, so any beach on the island is more or less accessible to guests willing to hop on the bus or make the drive. However the closest beach—San Montanero—is just a ten minute walk from the hotel. The trek is steep, so I recommend wearing walking shoes for the trip and changing into sandals once you reach the beach. The uphill walk back to the resort is even more challenging. Luckily, the resort will arrange a transfer to the beach upon request.

The beach itself is small, penned in by rocky cliffs jutting up from the ocean on either side. The water is crystal clear and remains relatively shallow for a long way out, so you can swim and walk far into the ocean. Half of the beach is lined with beach chairs and umbrellas that you can pay to use. The other half, divided by a rope fence, is free and open to the public. There is a snack bar, showers, and public bathrooms available. Unlike many areas in Europe where you need to pay a euro to use the restrooms, these bathrooms are free. However if you’d like to use the showers, you must get a show token from the snack bar.

The Botania Relais & Spa offers guests three restaurant options. The first, Il Corbezzolo, has earned a Michillin Star for its fresh Ischian dishes, made from locally sourced ingredients. Many of the dishes make use of the hotel’s very own herb and vegetable gardens. The Il Corbezzolo patio hosts breakfast for guests daily from 7:30 am to 10:00 am.

The resort’s vegan dining option, Il Mirto, has also received accolades from the Michillen review, earning Ischia’s first and only Michelin Green Star in recognition of its excellence in dining and sustainability. The menu is always in flux as the culinary team values freshness and relies on locally available seasonal ingredients to inspire their dishes. Expect to see produce from the resort’s own gardens heavily featured in the Il Mirto cuisine.

Nonna Mari’s Kitchen is the third and most unique dining option. At Nonna Mari’s, there is no menu. Guests are invited to join for whatever the kitchen has whipped up that day as if your grandmother has invited you to stay for dinner. Guests can also book private cooking lessons at Nonna Mari’s.

The two onsite bars, La Grotta and the Iris Bar, both offer appetizers and signature cocktails crafted by a friendly and knowledgeable bar staff. La Grotta, carved partially into a rock cave, is an intimate and cozy venue, with jewel-toned furniture, ambient lighting, and candles on every table, perfect for a nightcap after a good meal. The Iris Bar, in contrast, is outdoors by the pool, ideal for drinks on a sunny day.