Home #WHERETONEXT Europe San Montano Resort & Spa in Ischia Joins Relais & Châteaux

San Montano Resort & Spa in Ischia Joins Relais & Châteaux

A new chapter begins for San Montano, as the storied Ischian retreat joins the Relais & Châteaux family after a landmark year of significant design and guest amenity enhancements

San Montano Resort & Spa, the celebrated luxury retreat perched atop Mount Vico on the island of Ischia, is proud to announce its official induction into Relais & Châteaux, the prestigious global association honoring independent hotels and restaurants committed to exceptional hospitality, cultural preservation, and the art of living well. 

This distinction marks a significant milestone for the independent property, which has long been recognized as one of Ischia’s most emblematic sanctuaries for wellness, natural beauty, and refined Mediterranean living. San Montano is also Relais & Châteaux’s first and only property on the island of Ischia, marking a significant milestone for the destination’s luxury hospitality landscape.

Originally opened in the 1970s, and acquired in 2008 by the De Siano family, San Montano has become a cornerstone of Ischian hospitality, offering sweeping views across the Bay of Naples to Mount Vesuvius, access to the island’s legendary thermal springs, and a setting that balances barefoot ease with elevated Italian design. Built directly over Ischia’s famed thermal waters, renowned for their therapeutic and stress-relieving benefits, the resort invites guests to experience the island’s unique natural rhythms through 11 outdoor pools, expansive gardens, four dining and drinking venues, a beach club, two private speedboats, and seven acres of Mediterranean landscape.

Over the past year, San Montano has unveiled a series of meaningful developments that further elevate the guest experience and deepen its connection to the island’s natural and cultural heritage. These enhancements include newly designed suites and refreshed interiors throughout the main building and pool deck, as well as the introduction & expansion of new guest experiences and holistic wellness amenities. A renewed emphasis on indoor–outdoor living now guides the resort’s design ethos, expressed through natural materials, custom artisanal furnishings, and pathways leading through the property’s lush lemon grove. Among the most notable additions is the debut of the Lighthouse Suite, a remarkable two-bedroom villa housed in a former military lighthouse. Designed by Rino Gambardella and Claudio Pulicati, also behind sister property Borgo Santandrea, the reimagined space blends original architectural details with contemporary craftsmanship, featuring a glass-enclosed living area, an expansive private outdoor terrace, and unobstructed views across the Tyrrhenian Sea.

“It is with great and sincere emotion that we celebrate the entry of San Montano Resort & Spa into the prestigious Relais & Châteaux family. This achievement, which we have long pursued, stands as a testament to the dedication and hard work our family has invested in making our hotel—which we consider first and foremost our home—a benchmark for luxury hospitality on our beloved island of Ischia. We are certain that what begins today will be a beautiful journey, one we cannot wait to share with all of you. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.” said the De Siano Family, owners of San Montano 

Joining Relais & Châteaux aligns seamlessly with San Montano’s commitment to preserving local tradition, supporting regional artisans, and offering a deeply personal style of hospitality rooted in a sense of place. Founded in 1954, Relais & Châteaux unites more than 580 unique properties across five continents, each independently owned and dedicated to celebrating local culture, culinary identity, and meaningful guest relationships. The association’s mission, to protect and promote the richness of the world’s hospitality and culinary traditions, while safeguarding heritage and the environment, echoes San Montano’s own philosophy and longstanding dedication to the island of Ischia.

With its induction into Relais & Châteaux and its recent year of thoughtful enhancements, San Montano Resort & Spa enters a new chapter while remaining firmly anchored in the values and landscapes that define the island. It continues to offer guests an atmosphere of restorative luxury infused with authenticity, natural wellness, and the inimitable charm of Mediterranean life.