My boyfriend and I have just returned from a wonderful week at Therasia, having first spent a week in Puglia. We took the ferry from Naples and brought our car with us (although it is not really necessary to have a car as the hotel sun a regular shuttle service into the town and back).

We were really impressed with the resort. The rooms are minimalistic, yet very comfortable and ours (a deluxe with private pool) had an amazing roof terrace (with two different platforms and loads of space) and the most wonderful views of the other islands (Alicudi, Filicudi, Panerea, Lipari, Stromboli and Salina). We stayed on a B&B basis and we ate in the hotel 4 nights and went out into the town for the other three. There are two restaurants in the hotel - the a la carte and the set menu restaurant, mainly for those on half board. We by far preferred the a la carte as it was both cheaper and more intimate than the set menu (which was 55 Euros each, excluding wine). The restaurant manager in the a la carte restaurant was an excellent host and recommended some delicious Aeolian cuisine and wine. Service in both restaurants was faultless. The views from both restaurants are also breathtaking. Breakfast is, too, a delight, with a huge range of options.

The hotel has two pools (both of which can get rather too cold in September,I have to say!) and a very large area to sunbathe, which includes different levelled more secluded sun loungers overlooking the sea and the option to take a dip in the rather rough but wonderfully clear sea at the bottom of the steps from the hotel cliffs.

All in all, we had an excellent stay, but there were just one or two little 'niggles'. The hotel run a shuttle service to the 'private beach'. It's a black sand beach, which did not in itself put us off, however when we arrived at the beach we were really disappointed. It was filthy (loads of litter everywhere, including in the sea) and the toilets were absolutely disgusting and un-useable. The facilities at the beach certainly do not match up to the 5 star standard of the hotel and we didn't go back to the beach after this experience. It definitely needs some 'work'. In addition to this, although we enjoyed several pre and post dinner drinks in the hotel bar (which has tables outside weather permitting with gorgeous views), we found that the bar lacked real 'atmosphere' somehow. I think that is perhaps because it is quite large and due to the fact that there were quite a few families with children, it was not overly busy. I would also recommend visiting the hotel mid-August, as the weather in early September can be a little unreliable (v. windy) and cold. The sea can also get very rough in September, which does make some boat journeys less than pleasant!

On balance however, it was quite difficult to find anything to really criticise at Therasia. We stayed at Capofaro, Salina last year and although we could not say which we preferred (both very different), we would not hesitate to return to Therasia and would heartily recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxing break with top notch service and amazing views.