USP Mud, glorious mud. This volcanic and healing mud can, crucially, be found only at a luxury hotel spa called Regina Isabella.

AMBIENCE Tip-top. Luxury is something you feel rather than see, but it is hard to feel anything when you are simmering. But the moment I walked into the marbled foyer, that changed. The atmosphere was as soothing as silk. The staff wafted around; their only concern was my welfare. I suspect this is how movie stars feel. Three swimming pools, private beach, thermal spa and beauty treatments, fitness centre, tennis courts.

EXPERIENCE Elegant, relaxed and professional. The therme (spa) is impressive, if a bit clinical. It is tiled, spotless, calming and no-nonsense. It ranges over two floors and is divided into two areas: thermal and dermatological. In Italy thermal medicine is a recognised speciality and you will be seen by a doctor before a treatment. I had pictoage, an anti-ageing facial treatment that involves having tiny painless injections all over the face to hydrate it. It may sound crazy but for days afterwards my skin did glow. I also had a facial with mud and lay down in the steaming mass of grey mud and felt, to be honest, rather weird. I began to sweat; I was hot, but not bothered. The mud was washed off and I luxuriated in a thermal water whirlpool.

FOOD Sumptuous (two restaurants plus bars).

IN CROWD The well-off and beautiful, mostly Italian.

WALLET WATCH A double room starts at €440 (£300) a night, which includes breakfast, service, taxes. A weekend “Relax” spa programme of three massages is €120. EasyJet flies to Naples from Stansted; www.easyjet.com or call 0905 8210905

NEED TO KNOW L’Albergo della Regina Isabella, Lacco Ameno, Ischia (00 39 081 994322, www.reginaisabella.it)

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