A Special Place Located
on the Enchanting
Cala Rossano Bay
Welcome to Hotel Isolabella
Facing the sea, in the heart of a lush Mediterranean scrub, from where the eye spans one of the most beautiful corners of Italy, the Pontine Islands, lies Hotel Isolabella. The charm of tranquility, the splendid beach below, the elegance of the island, rooms some with sea views and others overlooking the garden, the authenticity of the cuisine, represent a synthesis that fully satisfies the needs of our clientele.
Our History
1950s
The Santomauro family began their hotel business on the small island of Ventotene, a paradise corner in the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the 1950s. The passion for hospitality and love for the sea drove the founders, grandparents Maria and Antonio, to transform a small family house into a welcoming guesthouse, ideal for the few tourists who, at the time, visited the island. Thanks to their commitment and attention to detail, the small guesthouse “Isolabella” immediately became a reference point for those seeking a peaceful and authentic refuge.
1970s
Over the years, the business evolved. Over time, the children Nanninella, Vincenzo, and Ilario took over the management of the guesthouse, modernizing it without ever losing the rustic charm that characterized it. Their love for local cuisine and care for hospitality allowed the hotel to establish itself as one of the best on the island, attracting visitors from all over Italy.
2000s
Today, the grandchildren Tonino and Fabio Santomauro, in the third generation, continue the family tradition with an innovative approach, bringing the small hotel to new levels of excellence. Tonino has enriched the offer with modern and sustainable services, while maintaining the family warmth that has always characterized the island hospitality. The flower-filled courtyard
and elegant rooms of Hotel Isolabella, managed with love and passion, are just examples of the care hidden in every corner of its structure. Fabio is responsible for managing the restaurant Marisqueria, which uses organic products from their own farm. He is a reference figure on the island, known for his passion for seafood cuisine and impeccable hospitality, in a cozy and authentic environment, where every dish tells the story of the sea and the island’s culinary traditions, making every guest feel at home, thanks also to attentive and cordial service. Today, the hotel is a reference point for those seeking a unique experience in Ventotene, where contemporary comfort merges with the tradition and timeless beauty of the island. The Santomauro family has managed to keep their passion for hospitality alive, growing with the island and remaining a symbol of welcome and love for the land that saw them born and grow. Today, the family’s hotel continues to be a beloved destination for tourists from around the world, a witness to a tradition passed down from generation to generation.
ROOMS
An Invitation to Leisure and Sweet Slumber
CLASSIC SEASIDE ROOMS
On the first and second floors of the hotel, the “Ventotene” seaside rooms offer a romantic and intimate refuge. These rooms, small but charming, stand out for the uniqueness of the furnishings and the extraordinary view that unfolds before your eyes, at any time of day or night. Equipped with a small balcony, they offer a perfect panoramic view for those who desire a special connection with the sea. Ideal for couples or individuals seeking relaxation, they offer all the comfort you need. The rooms are equipped with LCD TV, minibar, free Wi-Fi, and independent control for air conditioning and heating. The bathrooms, with shower, are complete with a hairdryer. On the third floor, however, are the “Punta Eolo” rooms, characterized by a large terrace with a breathtaking view of the sea, directly overlooking the small Cala Rossano bay. Spacious and with colored ceramic tiles, these rooms are furnished in a Mediterranean style, elegant and functional. On the terrace, tables, chairs, and comfortable sun loungers are available, perfect for relaxing during the day or admiring the starry sky at night. Suitable for both couples seeking relaxation and families, as it is possible to add a single or bunk bed.
LCD TV
MINIBAR
FREE WI-FI
AIR CONDITIONER
SHOWER
HAIRDRYER
CLASSIC GARDEN VIEW ROOMS
The garden view rooms are spacious and bright, available in double, triple, and quadruple
versions, equipped with a balcony or small terrace with views of the garden or the internal atrium. The colored ceramic tiles and the simple and functional furnishings, characterized by warm and enveloping tones, create a cozy and relaxing environment. The neutral and natural colors blend perfectly with the wooden furniture and local details, making every guest feel at home. Suitable for couples or families with children, the rooms also offer the possibility to add a single bed or a bunk bed, depending on the guests’ needs.
LCD TV
MINIBAR
FREE WI-FI
AIR CONDITIONER
SHOWER
HAIRDRYER
ECONOMY DEPENDENCE CALA ROSSANO ROOMS
The Cala Rossano rooms are located only 30 meters from the main body of the hotel, overlooking the countryside and a lovely “lemon house”. Located on the ground floor, these rooms are ideal for couples or families with children and can be interconnected. Outside, guests can enjoy a terrace furnished with sun loungers and tables, and a relaxation corner in the lemon house.
LCD TV
MINIBAR
FREE WI-FI
AIR CONDITIONER
SHOWER
HAIRDRYER
RESTAURANT MARISQUERIA
Rediscover the flavors of the sea and the land
A Selection of Local Ingredients
Our cuisine is based on the careful selection of raw materials, a daily commitment to bring out the qualities of the territory. An in-depth knowledge of local products and respect for tradition come together harmoniously, creating unique and original offerings. With zero-kilometer ingredients, our restaurant presents itself as an authentic reference point for the most discerning palates, without chasing luxury or trends, but celebrating the genuine atmosphere that permeates the island. We offer romantic dinners, snacks, and aperitifs suspended between sky and sea. Let yourself be captivated by our best recipes of the island tradition, immersed in greenery and with a view of the splendid Cala Rossano bay. And at sunset, enjoy an aperitif with your partner or friends on the terrace, overlooking the panorama of this wild and fascinating land.
CAFFE VENTOTENE
CAFFE VENTOTENE
Start your day with a special breakfast at Caffe Ventotene, where we will welcome you with a selection of fresh pastries, homemade cakes and cookies, prepared with quality ingredients. You can also enjoy a varied selection of savory items, accompanied by delicious pizzas, for a start to the day that satisfies every palate. A moment of pleasure to begin the day with energy, in a cozy and family-friendly environment.
SERVICES
Simplicity and Welcome
SERVICES OFFERED TO CLIENTS
First of all, there is no standard reception, to avoid that typical hotel approach that makes everything colder and more detached. You arrive to us, chat, and with typical Mediterranean
calm you explore our world. A world nestled among the small typical streets of Ventotene. We are on an island and everything will have another language: the slow passage of time, relaxation without worries, and a pause from the rush. To make this happen, we will be diligent but quiet, ready to meet your needs to make a real vacation enjoyable.
SERVICES
A list of what we offer in our facility: We offer you a free shuttle service from the port to the hotel and vice versa for luggage. Check-in: 2 PM (if you arrive early, you can safely leave your luggage with us) Check-out: 10 AM
- Restaurant service
- Private boat trips
- Excursions
- Organization of small events
- School camps
- Conferences
- Partnerships with diving centers
- Countryside walks
WHERE
WE ARE
The Emotions of This Enchanted Island
HOW TO ARRIVE AT THE HOTEL
Located in the small and enchanting cove of Cala Rossano, Hotel Isolabella stands fifty meters from the sea, on a tranquil bay a few steps from the beach and the Roman remains of Villa Giulia. The hotel, built in harmony with the island’s architecture, has a typically Mediterranean style and blends into the wild and absolutely unspoiled landscape of the island. The panoramic terraces allow you to enjoy a magnificent sea view, breathe the sea breeze, and, for the more romantic, to be lulled by the sound of the wind and the lapping of the sea waves. We are far from the hustle and bustle, yet so close to everything you desire. In just a 10-minute walk, you are at the port, the central area of Ventotene.
HOW TO ARRIVE IN VENTOTENE
The island of Ventotene is reachable by ships and hydrofoils that operate daily connections from Formia. The city of Formia is reachable by:
By Car
Autostrada del Sole (Rome-Naples) exit Cassino then motorway to reach Formia.
By Train
The main stations of Rome and Naples connect Formia with trains that depart every hour. Formia station is about a 10-minute walk from the boarding port.
Annual Connections Seasonal Connections
LAZIOMAR and SNAV
Ventotene is small in size, measuring about two kilometers, time flows slowly and it is a real pleasure to relax with its colors, its scents, its fruits. From above, it looks like a whale and, season after season, it offers fairy-tale landscapes. There are many things to do in this delightful corner of paradise: you can watch birds through very interesting birdwatching, you can visit the Migration Museum, you can visit the Archaeological Museum, you can visit the Roman Cisterns, you can stroll in the Roman Port, you can visit the Bourbon Prison, you can take a guided nature trail or participate in a sailing course. A visit to the island of Santo Stefano is the direct and obvious consequence of a visit to Ventotene. Two kilometers of coast with cliffs that have always made landing difficult. Ventotene and Santo Stefano form a wonderful nature reserve and a Protected Marine Natural Area.
A Golden Exile for the Romans
Although today it is called Ventotene, there was a time when this pearl of the Mediterranean was called Pandaria or Pandotira. It was only from the Middle Ages that the current name began to prevail, which already tells us much about the main natural characteristic of the Pontine island. Compared to the larger and nearby Ponza, Ventotene was uninhabited for a long time. The absence of drinking water and the lack of a natural harbor kept the Romans away from the island, who preferred to colonize Ponza.
The Fate of Ventotene
The fate of Ventotene changes when in 2 BC Emperor Caesar Augustus decides to exile his daughter Julia and chooses Ventotene. It is a golden exile, because a villa 300 meters long is built on the island, the remains of which are still visible today. Julia was only the first in a long list of exiles, mostly women, including Tiberius’s granddaughter Agrippina, and Octavia, wife of Nero.
The Great Works of the Roman Period
The exiles brought along servants, farmers, soldiers, thus creating the first population nucleus. The works that the Romans made on the island also responded to the need to make exile less harsh and to guarantee the population the necessary means to live. Thus, a fishery, rainwater collection tanks, the aqueduct, and the indispensable harbor were built.
The History of Ventotene
The history of Ventotene passes through the centuries experiencing the same vicissitudes as the Italian states, as was the case for the nearby Ponza. Meanwhile, it becomes an island of fishermen and farmers, with few inhabitants.
The Bourbon Period
The second important historical turning point occurs with the Bourbons, who initiated a new urbanization: they built the Church of San Candida, the Fort, but above all, the “ideal” prison on the nearby island of Santo Stefano, which remained active until 1965. During fascism and until the end of the Second World War, Ventotene and Santo Stefano remained islands of confined prisoners. Almost all Italian antifascists passed through here, including Sandro Pertini, Altiero Spinelli, and Ernesto Rossi. The last two brought the island’s name into history with the “Ventotene Manifesto” with which they laid the foundations of the current European Union. Today Ventotene is a peaceful island in autumn and winter and a holiday destination in spring and summer: fortunately, it is not trendy and is chosen by those who love nature, the sea, slowness, and silence.
The Sea and Beaches
Discover the beaches available near our hotel.
What to Visit
The island of Ventotene is not only about the sea
Bourbon Prison On the nearby island of Santo Stefano is one of the architectural examples related to the Panopticon.
CONTACTS
Via Cala Rossano, 5 – 04031 Ventotene (LT) – Tel. +39 077185027
Email: tonino.santomauro@tiscali.it – VAT 01706620596
