Mezzatorre Resort and Spa

SPREAD OVER A PROMONTORY overlooking the Bay of Naples, Mezzatorre Resort & Spa could have escaped from a movie set.  Set in sun dappled wooded grounds, this five-star island hideaway was once film director Luchino Visconti own villa. Forget Death in Venice;  this is more like arriving in heaven.

Mezzatorre Resort has a blissful setting. Its focal point is a beautifully restored 15th century Saracen watchtower. Moorish archways invite you inside to elegant sitting rooms and bedrooms with dazzling Med views. Scattered among the pine groves are luxurious, more spacious rooms – ours was all warm coral tones and cool blues with classic Neapolitan Majolica tiles and marble.

Get steamy in the bubbling thermal waters of the spa and beauty centre, or messy covered in the famous volcanic Ischian mud. Submit to expert therapists’ hands and emerge rejuvenated and glossy, in touch with your inner selves. Or simply turn into sun lizards – we loved the warm cliff-edge seawater pool, with its private rocky beach below.

Palm-leaf roof

Sumptuous open plan suites in the Foresteria wing have private gardens and whirlpools – all very back to nature. If your plastic won't stretch to one of these, try a Comfort room in the Visconti wing, with a private balcony and great sea views.

Dine al fresco under a palm-leaf roof in Mezzatorre Resort's poolside restaurant for informal eats. The aptly named Panoramic Restaurant is suitably sleek for evenings, and serves gourmet dishes on candlelit terraces.

Stroll up to the rugged promontory Il Pensatoio, with no-one but seagulls for company. Capri and the Amalfi coast are just a speedboat zip away.

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