We have returned to a place that never fails to take our breath away. Set high above the enchanting island of Ischia, San Montano Resort & Spa continues to captivate with its extraordinary panoramic views, lush Mediterranean gardens, restorative thermal waters and relaxing pools and unmistakable sense of place. Yet, beyond its timeless beauty, the resort is constantly evolving, embracing a new vision of contemporary luxury while remaining deeply connected to the island’s authentic spirit. As Ischia continues to attract an increasingly sophisticated international clientele, San Montano is evolving alongside it. At the heart of this journey is Arcangelo De Siano, Director of the resort, whose vision is shaped by a philosophy of continuous evolution, placing ever greater emphasis on privacy, personalized service, authentic Italian craftsmanship and experiences that allow guests to connect more deeply with the destination. During our return to this breathtaking corner of Ischia, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Arcangelo De Siano to discover what he has in store for the upcoming season at San Montano Resort, from the next chapter of its accommodation offering to new ideas, evolving guest experiences and the continued pursuit of a more intimate and exclusive approach to hospitality.
– Arcangelo De Siano –
As the resort looks towards the 2027 season and its future 57-key concept, Arcangelo shares his perspective on the changing world of luxury travel, the growing international appeal of Ischia, and what it truly means to create a sanctuary where beauty, wellness, nature and authentic Italian hospitality come together.
The 2026 season is well underway: how would you describe the season so far for San Montano Resort? San Montano welcomes an increasingly international clientele. Which are currently your main international markets, and have you noticed any emerging destinations or new types of guests choosing Ischia?
“We are extremely pleased with how the 2026 season is unfolding. We are seeing a very strong upward trend for Ischia as a destination overall, and In terms of guest demographics, our main driver continues to be the North American market, which remains very solid. At the same time, we are noticing a significant rise in travelers from English-speaking markets across the board, particularly Australia, Canada, and the UK. Guests from these regions are increasingly choosing Ischia over traditional luxury stops, seeking out our unique mix of panoramic natural beauty, authentic Mediterranean hospitality, and restorative thermal wellness. Compared to previous years, travelers are coming with higher expectations for personalized experiences, privacy, and deeper connections with the local culture and territory”.
Looking ahead to the 2027 season, what are the main innovations or developments guests can look forward to at San Montano?
“At San Montano, our core philosophy is centered on continuous evolution, every single year we strive to bring something new to our guests and elevate the overall experience. Last year, for instance, marked the opening of our top suite, the Lighthouse Suite, an ambitious project that successfully restored and revalued a historic area of the property into a truly unique sanctuary. Moving into this year, we continued our planned process of renovation while deliberately reducing our room count to 63, allowing us to dedicate more space, privacy, and personalized attention to each guest. Looking ahead to next season, we will continue this reduction down to 57 keys. Our goal is to offer accommodations tailored to today’s modern hospitality standards, characterized by a refined Mediterranean aesthetic. To achieve this, we collaborate exclusively with local craftsmen and prominent Italian luxury brands, ensuring that every detail reflects authentic Italian craftsmanship and seamless elegance”.
If you had to describe San Montano Resort in just three adjectives, which ones would you choose, and why?
“If I were to sum up the true soul of San Montano Resort & Spa in three words, I would choose Panoramic, Restorative, and Authentic. Panoramic: Perched high above Monte Vico, San Montano offers a breathtaking 360-degree view that sweeps from the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius to the endless blue horizon of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The constant interplay of light, sea, and surrounding greenery creates an enchanting backdrop that defines every single moment of a guest’s stay, from sunrise to sunset. Restorative: Deeply rooted in Ischia’s world-renowned thermal heritage, wellness here is not just an amenity, it is our essence. With 11 thermal pools, natural vapor caves, and tailored holistic treatments, the resort acts as a sanctuary where nature, volcanic waters, and silence combine to revitalize both body and mind. Authentic: Despite our contemporary luxury standards, our spirit remains deeply human and genuinely Ischian. Being family-owned and managed, alongside a team of local professionals who welcome guests like family, we offer hospitality that is warm, rooted in tradition, and profoundly connected to the culture, flavours, and history of our island”.
The resort is also a highly attractive destination for private celebrations and events. “San Montano is a great setting for a wide range of private celebrations, from intimate weddings, elopements, and anniversary galas to corporate retreats and multi-day milestone events. We offer flexibility depending on the scale and privacy desired:
- Events Without Buyout: For guests looking to host a celebration while the resort remains open to other resident guests, we can accommodate intimate and exclusive events for up to 60 guests. These are hosted in designated private areas, such as the spectacular terrace of Franco’s Restaurant or the exclusive grounds of the Lighthouse Suite, ensuring an elegant and private atmosphere without disrupting the overall resort flow.
- Full Resort Buyout: For larger, fully bespoke celebrations, we offer full resort buyouts. With exclusive access to all our accommodations, 11 thermal pools, dining venues, and panoramic terraces, a buyout allows us to host events for up to 200 guests. This option provides 100% total privacy, custom event setups across the entire property, and late-night entertainment tailored entirely to the host’s vision.
Wellness is undoubtedly one of San Montano’s defining pillars. What makes your thermal water experience and the Ocean Blue Spa particularly special, and how do you see the concept of luxury wellness evolving among today’s travellers?
“What truly sets us apart is that San Montano is the only 5-star hotel in Ischia featuring an exclusive thermal park reserved solely for our guests, complete with 11 outdoor pools set at varying temperatures, and the island’s only sea-view indoor spa. This allows for a completely private thermal journey immersed in nature and overlooking the sea.
Today, luxury wellness has evolved from simple relaxation into a search for longevity, authenticity, and mental reset. Modern travelers want transformative, natural therapies rooted in the destination. By combining Ischia’s rich volcanic waters with bespoke treatments at our Ocean Blue Spa, we offer a private, holistic escape focused on true well-being”.
The resort’s thermal pools and panoramic pools are one of its most distinctive features. How important is the relationship between thermal water, nature and the sea in shaping the overall San Montano experience?
“Today’s luxury travelers are seeking wide open spaces, total tranquility, and privacy above all else and that is precisely what defines the San Montano experience.
Set within a 3-hectare lush Mediterranean garden, the property offers a multitude of private spaces, quiet nooks, and panoramic sea-view terraces. Here, the therapeutic power of thermal waters blends seamlessly with the scents of the surrounding nature and the endless views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. This harmony between nature, water, and open air creates an overwhelming sense of freedom and wellbeing, allowing guests to relax in complete peace and isolation without ever feeling crowded”.
Food is another important part of the San Montano experience, from Franco’s Restaurant to La Veranda and Acropoli Pizza & Bar. How would you describe the culinary philosophy of the resort, and how do you combine authentic Ischian traditions with a contemporary luxury approach?
“Our culinary philosophy balances great taste with refined presentation, but we have clearly noticed that traditional, rigid fine-dining concepts are losing appeal among luxury travelers. Today’s guests are shifting toward authentic flavors, simplicity, and true local traditions. We have embraced this approach from the very beginning. Across all our dining venues, from Franco’s Restaurant and La Veranda to Acropoli Pizza & Bar, we elevate regional Ischian and Campania recipes using exceptional zero-kilometer ingredients, without over-complicating the dish. A prime example of this philosophy is our breakfast, which is widely considered one of our proudest flagship experiences. Instead of formal luxury, we offer an abundant celebration of authentic local pastries, fresh seasonal produce, and traditional flavors served against the backdrop of the sea. It sets the tone for a culinary journey that is genuine, deeply rooted in our island’s heritage, and effortlessly elegant”.
Beyond the resort itself, San Montano offers guests a way to discover Ischia through curated experiences, from private boat tours to excursions and bespoke activities. Which experiences are currently the most requested, and what does the perfect San Montano day look like in your eyes?
“What makes Ischia truly unique is its extraordinary diversity and deep authenticity. Unlike many other island destinations, Ischia offers a rich dual soul, combining vibrant maritime culture with deep-rooted agricultural traditions.
On the culinary side, our guests love exploring local home restaurants, traditional trattorias, organic family farms, and vineyards producing zero-kilometer wines. Beyond gastronomy, the island is a treasure trove of activities: from exploring world-famous botanical gardens and ancient historical sites to trekking up Mount Epomeo for breathtaking panoramic views, relaxing in thermal parks, or setting sail on a private boat tour to discover hidden sea caves”.
Finally, if we were to interview you again one year from now, what would you most like to be able to say about San Montano Resort and its evolution?
“If we meet again a year from now, I would love to be able to say that we have successfully taken another step forward in our philosophy of continuous evolution. At San Montano, we never stand still-every season we challenge ourselves to refine our spaces, introduce new concepts, and offer something fresh and unexpected to our returning and new guests alike. Looking ahead to next year, I hope to celebrate the completion of our next phase of room reductions down to 57 keys, along with our upgraded suite accommodations that elevate modern Mediterranean luxury while honoring local craftsmanship. Our long-term guiding vision remains unchanged: to continuously enhance privacy, exclusivity, and personal service, solidifying San Montano not just as a luxury hotel, but as an authentic, tranquil, and ever-evolving sanctuary on the island of Ischia”.
Perhaps the best way to truly understand the magic of San Montano is simply to experience it. To breathe in the pure Mediterranean air, to watch the sun slowly disappear, to surrender to the warmth of Ischia’s legendary thermal waters and to wake up surrounded by nothing but beauty, silence and endless blue. And if there is one place from which to experience all of this at its most extraordinary, it might just be the Lighthouse Suite at the San Montano Resort, a private sanctuary suspended above the island, where the spirit of Ischia seems to reveal itself in every direction. So, if you are looking for a place to slow down, reconnect and rediscover the true meaning of Mediterranean luxury, perhaps it is time to make your way to the top of San Montano, and breathe it all in.
Article edited by Diana Da Ros
By mb@admin
