We (a family of three) spent two nights (first week of July) at Piccolo Hotel Luisa. Everything was perfect, from the beautiful room with tons of history and a fantastic view on the island-village, to the attention to detail and comfort. The staff was extremely attentive and ready to satisfy all our requests. The restaurant served a delicious Italian breakfast while dinner was also great with melt-in-the-mouth fish dishes. We learned that the careful and friendly hospitality at Piccolo Hotel Luisa is a tradition that has been handed down for three generations and we enjoyed listening to the stories about the days when Signora Luisa was running the place. The new generation is doing honour to the family tradition. We hope to be back again soon and, until then, we keep telling friends about the place.

We have been directed to this place by local friends for our holiday this year but it was an appalling experience. Our room was incredibly small, despite booking said large double room. The room was ridiculously overpriced for what was offered and facing a white wall only rather than the “Mediterranean garden” as described in their adverts. Lots of mosquitos and room given with no repellent devices unless you ask for. Appallingly, the evening of the first night the personnel entered our room unauthorised (we were out) and didn’t even apologise. We only realised that because we could no longer find the lighter we borrowed from reception to lit the mosquito coils. Breakfast was mediocre and nothing to do with Italian stuff. The chef looked scruffy wearing dirty shoes all time. As an Italian expat I felt profoundly deluded, disrespected and ashamed by the luck of education of these people. I would definitely not recommend.

Having read the reviews before our trip we had high expectations on PHL - from location to comfort to food. The owners made sure to exceed our expectations by accommodating all our (sensible) requests from arranging a crib and monitoring the napping baby (we headed out for just 20 minutes, I swear) to treating us to tasty appetizers and handsomely extending check-out. The hotel was kept spotless and the location is ideal. Car access/parking possible. Luisa, grand-daughter to the eponymous Luisa, will tell you all the dos and don’ts of Ponza. We hope to be back soon!