Late 1800’s My grandparents Giovanna and Luigi Osterini opened up a small catina/winery on Via Porto, one of the principle streets in Ischia Porto.
Early 1900’s Their son, my father, Francesco, extended and adapted the business into a bar/restaurant/games arcade, calling it “Da Ciccio, Ristorante del Forestiero”. One of the main driving forces behind the business was Ciccio’s wife Francesca who was something of a pioneer, not only in the family business but also in the island as a whole. She eventually extended the business into a Pizzeria and started up one of the first Gelateria (ice cream parlours) on the island. (Even today we are still renowned for the superb quality of our ice cream.)
Late 1950’s At the end of the 1950’s the structure that is now the main structure of the hotel was renovated and extended into what was then called “Meuble Villa Ciccio”.
Like a ‘bed and breakfast’ the structure already housed various rooms, some with en-suite facilities and access to the garden.
1960’s In the mid 1960’s we made further extensions to the main structure of the hotel and equipped all the rooms with en-suite facilities and either a terrace or a balcony.
1970’s During the beginning of the 1970’s Ciccio and Francesca’s sons Giuseppe, Luigi and Emidio completely renovated and restructured the ‘bed and breakfast’ (always under the guidance of their mother) transforming it into a three star hotel proving all the available comforts of the era.
Later, as the land upon which the structure is based is lucky enough to have a thermal spring, we had a swimming pool constructed which is filled with the healing thermal water.
1980’s Towards the end of the 1980’s we made a further extension to the hotel using land which we brought adjacent to the hotel. With this extension we created new bedrooms, enlarged the garden and allocated the remaining space for a car park.
1990’s During the 1990’s we consistently added to and improved, the services offered by the hotel. In this period the improvements were not as noticeable as in previous years but were more subtle touches, which contributed to the satisfaction of our guests and the enjoyment of their stay. For example, we introduced Satellite Television, Direct Dial Telephone, Mini Bar and a Safe to all of the rooms.
2000 During the period between 2001 – 2002 we completely renovated the kitchen.
… In the past years some of the rooms in the main building were restructured and enlarged. (Some of the smaller rooms were sacrificed to give maximum space and comfort to the remaining rooms)