Hotel Punta Imperatore

The peculiar 4 star rating of this hotel can only be justified by its location, which is directly across the road from Citara beach and right next to the blissful Poseidon thermal gardens. Once you enter these gardens and the thermal water, you feel cured and instantaneously uplifted, as if you're bathing along with the ancient Gods in heaven. The entrance fee in October is 30 euros for the day, 5 of which you get back at the end, which is totally worth it. But if you're on a small budget, the Punta Imperatore have their own charming little thermal swimming pool with its own hydro-massage function, and thermal water periodically flows out of the water-vase which keeps the pool very warm, even throughout the night.

Food acts as one of the main let downs in this hotel. Even though the breakfasts are reasonable comprising of a buffet of the usual sweet croissants, boiled eggs, bread, cheese, ham, yoghurt, canned fruit, jams and cake, one is dying for some variety after a few days, and the worst is the coffee which is of such poor quality that it is an embarassment to Italy. Unfortunately we booked the half-board option on Booking.com as a special add-on, and were incredibly disappointed on the 1st evening. One of the things we were mostly looking forward to in Italy is the delicious food, but sadly it would not be an exaggeration to call dinners at the Punta Imperatore appauling, and we weren't allowed to cancel the half-board option.

Unpretentious. Incredibly quiet and peaceful. Next door to Poseidon Spa Gardens. Several eating places close by.

The thermal pool area was not particularly attractive. The breakfast was not special. Everthing was "adequate" and very good value for money.