Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Half-board is usually the only option in August and many hotels only open April to Octo-
ber. The best places to stay are a short drive from the town centre.
Villa Ombrosa
( 05 6591 4363;
www.villaombrosa.it
;
Via Alcide de Gasperi 3; d from €95; )
One of the few
Portoferraio hotels in town and open year-round, three-star Ombrosa looks out to sea and
the pinprick islet of Lo Scoglietto. Decor is a jumble of styles, but summer rates include a
lounger and umbrella on a strip of Spiaggia delle Ghiaie (Ghiaie Beach) across the street,
and rooms with sea view have pocket-sized balconies. Disabled friendly.
HOTEL
€
Rosselba Le Palme
( 05 6593 3101;
www.rosselbalepalme.it
;
Ottone; adult/tent/car €12/14.50/5.40; mid-Apr-Sep;
)
Set around a botanical garden backed by Mediterranean forest, few campsites are
as leafy or large. The beach is a 400m walk between trees, and accommodation ranges
from simple pitches to cute wooden chalets, 'glamping' tents with running water and
bathtubs on legs, and apartments in a typical Tuscan villa. Find the ground 9km east of
Portoferraio near Ottone.
CAMPGROUND
€
Hotel e Ristorante Mare
( 05 6593 3069;
www.hotelmare.org
;
Magazzini; d €122-178, half-board per person €53-107; sum-
mer; )
A modern choice, Hotel Mare has a nautical feel to its architecture and decor -
apt given it sits on the waterfront of a picturesque little harbour just across the water from
Portoferraio (9km by car from the town centre). And, yes, views of the town and penin-
sula from its rooftop terrace, pool and waterfront restaurant are magnificent. Minimum
three-night stay.
HOTEL
€€
Villa Ottone
( 05 6593 3042;
www.villaottone.com
;
Ottone 4; s/d €109/309, d in villa from €309, dinner €30;
summer; )
Elba doesn't get classier than this. The height of elegance and lap
of luxury, this aristocratic 19th- century villa looking out to sea 1km east of Magazzini
was home to Tuscan counts until the 1920s. With its own private beach, spa, pool bar, lush
gardens, restaurants and so forth, guests want for nothing. Cheaper rooms are in a modern
block behind the villa; half-board only.
LUXURY HOTEL
€€€
Eating
