Escape to Paradise: Blue Moon Hotel, Pantelleria Island
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the Blue Moon Hotel on Pantelleria Island. Forget the polished travel brochures; I'm giving you the raw, unfiltered truth, complete with tangents, existential sighs, and maybe a few accidental typos. Consider this your pre-trip pep talk.
Escape to Paradise: Blue Moon Hotel, Pantelleria Island – The Uncensored Guide
First off, Pantelleria. This place… it's remote. Think "end of the world chic," in the best possible way. The Blue Moon Hotel seems to understand this. It’s not some glitzy, cookie-cutter resort. It's got personality. And frankly, after the year we've had, personality is everything.
Accessibility:
Okay, let's rip off the band-aid first. Accessibility can be a bit tricky. While the hotel does have Facilities for disabled guests and an Elevator (thank the heavens!), Pantelleria itself isn't exactly flat. Think rugged terrain. I saw a few ramps, but best to call ahead and REALLY grill them about the specifics. I'm talking, "Can a tank roll through this?" level of inquiry. Sorry, I’m just brutally honest!
Cleanliness and Safety: We're Talking Seriously Clean (Thank Goodness!
Look, 2024 is all about sanitization. The Blue Moon gets a gold star here. They've got the full shebang: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, and Rooms sanitized between stays. Seeing the staff in their masks I knew was a good sign. There was a feeling that the hotel staff are not playing around with safety. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Seriously, everywhere. I felt comfortable. They've got a Hygiene certification too. You can even Room sanitization opt-out. I mean, nice to ask, right? They also have the obvious stuff – Doctor/nurse on call and a First aid kit. They even have Sterilizing equipment. Nice!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling Your Island Adventures – Or Not
Okay, the dining. This is where things gets a little… complicated. They offer a la carte in the restaurant, and while they have a Vegetarian restaurant (yay!), no real Gluten-Free menus. I asked… let’s just say the chef, bless his soul, was trying. The Asian food was alright. the Western cuisine was kinda boring. Honestly, the best meal I had was from the Snack bar! They had some amazing sandwiches and the coffee was surprisingly good.
- Breakfast: Buffet in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Breakfast in room and Breakfast service are available.
- Drinks: Poolside bar and Bar.
- Other: Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, Poolside bar, and Snack bar. It wasn't disastrous, but it wasn't amazing. Don't go expecting Michelin stars, go expecting solid, filling Italian fare, with a few international flavours thrown in. But hey, the Bottle of water in your room is a nice touch.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Paradise Found (Eventually)
This is where the Blue Moon really shines. Pantelleria is all about the "dolce far niente," the sweetness of doing nothing. And the hotel gets it.
- Spa & Relaxation: Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, and Sauna.
- Pools: Swimming pool, Pool with view, and Swimming pool [outdoor].
- Health & Fitness: Fitness center and Gym/fitness.
I'm an absolute sucker for a good massage. They were great. It was like all my stress melted away. I wanted to get one every day. I spent at least 3 hours a day by the pool just staring into the water. I went to the steamroom and the spa. If you want to truly relax, this is the hotel for you!
Rooms: Comfort and Convenience – With a View (Hopefully)
The rooms are comfortable. Definitely not minimalist. In my room, the window opened. I felt like the room was mine the moment I entered. Plenty of space. The bed was comfy with extra long bed. I love a good Blackout curtains, and they had those! The air conditioning worked. There’s a Coffee/tea maker and you’re not going to starve. The bathroom was good, with Separate shower/bathtub. Definitely a plus!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Convenience: Air conditioning in public area, Airport transfer, Babysitting service, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Daily housekeeping, Elevator, Front desk [24-hour], Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Ironing service, Luggage storage, Room service [24-hour], Safety deposit boxes, and Taxi service.
- Business & Tech: Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Facilities for disabled guests, Internet access – wireless, Internet, Internet [LAN].
- Extras: Pets allowed (unavailable), Proposal spot, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, and Wi-Fi for special events.
Contactless check-in/out. I loved it. So fast and efficient!
Getting Around: Island Life, Island Pace
Pantelleria is best explored by car (Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Valet parking) or… well, car. The hotel can arrange Taxi service. Bicycle parking. If you are willing to travel at your own pace, you’ll have a great time.
Internet: Wi-Fi That Actually Works! (Hallelujah!)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually works! This is HUGE. And Internet access – LAN. So, you’re not completely cut off from the world. You can Instagram your sunset photos, check your emails (shudder), and, you know, generally avoid actual human interaction if that’s your thing.
For the Kids
- Babysitting service
- Family/child friendly
- Kids facilities
- Kids meal
The Quirks
- There's a "Shrine." I have no idea what it's for, but hey, it's there.
- The lobby has a distinct smell of… something. Incense? Old travel brochures? I can’t quite place it.
- Despite the rustic charm, the soundproofing is fantastic. I slept like a baby.
My Honest Emotional Reaction:
I loved it. Really, truly, deeply loved it. It wasn't perfect, sure, but it had character. The staff was sweet, if a little overwhelmed at times. The island itself is breathtaking. I had time to relax. I can't wait to go back to this Escape to Paradise!
My Recommendation: Skip the Overpriced Hotels, Book This Now!
HERE'S THE DEAL:
Book the Blue Moon Hotel and receive:
- Early Bird Discount: 15% Off from now until 31st July on all stays over 3 nights.
- Complimentary Massage: Enjoy a decadent, stress-melting massage at the hotel's top-rated spa!
- Romantic Dinner for Two: Indulge in a candlelit dinner on the hotel’s gorgeous terrace.
- Free Airport Transfer: Seamless and stress-free arrival and departure.
- Free Bottled Water
Call today to book your unforgettable escape to Pantelleria!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Hampton Inn Gulf Shores Getaway!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your meticulously planned, Instagram-perfect itinerary. This is real travel, the kind that leaves you smelling faintly of sunscreen and existential dread. This is Pantelleria, Blue Moon Hotel, and my brain unfiltered. Prepare yourselves.
Pantelleria: Blue Moon & Mild Chaos - A Mostly-Chronological Struggle (with occasional bursts of joy)
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Panic (aka, "Where's my damn luggage?")
- Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Wake up bleary-eyed in… somewhere! Flight from…Rome? (Honestly, the details are already blurring). The good news is: I made it to the island. The bad news? My baggage decided to stay in… Rome? (Insert loud internal scream). Trying to remain optimistic. It's…Pantelleria! The volcanic island of dreams (allegedly).
- Late Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Arrive at Blue Moon Hotel. It's…charming. Rustic. Perhaps…in dire need of a fresh coat of paint? (I'm trying to be nice). Check-in is… a process. There are many forms, many signatures. The owner (a woman with eyes that could curdle milk) is… efficiently Italian. Finally, I'm in my room! The view? Spectacular. That's the important stuff. Actually unpack? Not so much.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Pasta. Obviously. It's delicious. Absolutely delicious. The sun is beating down. I'm starting to feel the relaxation. Maybe this won't be a disaster zone after all.
- Late Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Attempt to find my luggage. Several phone calls to the airport, several frustrating conversations in broken Italian, and zero actual progress made. My initial optimism is starting to crumble. I'm seriously considering buying an entire new wardrobe from the tiny souvenir shop in the lobby. Which, by the way, smells suspiciously like old fish.
- Evening (6:00 PM - Late): Dinner at the hotel. More pasta. Less optimism. Wine. Lots and lots of wine. (I think I can see a glimmer of "chill" on the horizon after all the wine). Stargazing on the terrace. The sky is incredible. Like, seriously other-worldly. Briefly, I'm happy. Then I remember my lost luggage. The bad news (once again): Apparently, it's now in Sicily… or something.
Day 2: The Beauty of Pantelleria (and the Continuing Luggage Saga)
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Wake up with a massive headache. Blame the wine. Blame the stress. Blame, most of all, the absence of my toiletries. Seriously, how can a person function without their favorite face wash? Desperate times call for desperate measures: I've resorted to washing my face with the hotel bar soap. Shiver.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Finally, explore! Rent a…scooter (because, Pantelleria). This is where things get amazing. The island is stunning, rugged, and wild. Drive along the coast. The sea is a breathtaking shade of turquoise. Wind in my hair (what little I have left). The air smells of salt and…volcano? It's intoxicating.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch at a seaside trattoria. Grilled fish, fresh from the ocean. The taste of sunshine. I'm starting to think I could happily eat like this forever. It's just so simple, beautiful and perfect.
- Late Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): THE THERMAL POOL. Okay, so this deserves its own section. Let me tell you, this single experience, this thing, made the entire trip worthwhile. It's called "Bagno Asciutto", a natural sauna carved into the volcanic rock. You sit in this incredible dry heat, sweat out all your demons, and then leap into the cold, crystal-clear water next to it. It's… transformative. Pure, unadulterated bliss. I stayed there for like, three hours, just floating, staring at the sky and feeling my shoulders finally loosen. It was the first time since before the flight that I actually felt completely relaxed. (Note: I'm seriously considering building a replica in my backyard. I'm also seriously considering never leaving.)
- Evening (6:00 PM - Late): Dinner at a restaurant recommended by the hotel owner (the milk-curdling-eyes lady). More pasta (sensing a theme?). Discussed my new favourite place the Bagno Asciutto with new friends. More wine (again). I'm starting to embrace the island life. The luggage, though…still MIA.
Day 3: Caves, Volcanic Landscapes & (Maybe, Just Maybe) Luggage Redemption?
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Tour the “caves" – actually, just natural grottoes along the coast. Climb down cliffs, swim in hidden coves, feel like Indiana Jones (but much less cool and with a way worse tan line). It’s adventurous. Slightly terrifying. But amazing. The water is so clear you can see the fish swimming beneath you
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Explore the volcanic landscape. Hike to the top of a dormant volcano (easy, I promise!). It's stark, and beautiful, and feels like another planet. The air is different up there, crisp and clean. The view from the top? Phenomenal. I even manage to take a halfway decent photo. (This is progress).
- Late Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Call the airport. Again. The news? My luggage has ARRIVED. It's at the wrong airport. But it's here. A tiny, flickering ray of hope.
- Evening (6:00 PM - Late): Dinner: Finally, something different! We had pizza! Pizza is perfect and I was a very well-behaved guest. The pizza was an Italian masterpiece. We had a bottle of local wine and talked about the day’s adventures. After dinner, went to bed. I'm exhausted, in a good way. And, for the first time in days, I'm not completely stressed.
Day 4: Goodbye, Blue Moon?
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): The sun is rising, the birds are singing. It’s hard to believe I have to be leaving soon. I made some new friends. I found my zen. And… my luggage arrived. Finally! (I can now brush my teeth with my own toothbrush. Bliss.)
- Late Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Relax and reflect. Have a coffee. Sit by the pool, and take it all in. It’s perfect.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Check out of the Blue Moon Hotel.
- Late Afternoon (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Say goodbye to the sun, the sea, and the pasta.
- Evening (2:00 PM - Late): Arrive back home! I'm not the same person that left.
Post-Trip Thoughts:
Pantelleria is… a place. It's not perfect. It's a little rough around the edges. But it's utterly, wonderfully authentic. The people – the food – the landscapes… it’s all amazing. And the Bagno Asciutto? A life-changing experience. The luggage saga? Just a hilarious anecdote now. I'd go back in a heartbeat (even if my suitcase decided to take a detour to Mars).
Final Grade: A- (minus the luggage and the initial internal screaming)
Escape to Austin: Luxurious Stay at Hampton Inn & Suites Cedar Park!
Escape to Paradise: Blue Moon Hotel, Pantelleria - The Unofficial FAQs... 'Cause Let's Be Real
Okay, Seriously...Is Pantelleria REALLY That Magical? (And Can I Afford It?)
Alright, let's get this straight. Pantelleria? Yeah, it's pretty freakin' magical. Picture this: you're flying in, and the island just RISING out of the turquoise sea. It's like stepping onto a hidden gem. Volcanic landscape, rugged beauty... it’s the kind of place that whispers to your soul, “Chill. Just… chill.”
The cost? Okay, that's a tougher pill to swallow. It's not CHEAP, let's be honest. Especially if you're aiming for the Blue Moon Hotel. It's not exactly "budget backpacker," but it's doable if you’re willing to… prioritize. Skip the Starbucks for a month? Maybe sell a kidney? (Kidding! Mostly...)
My advice? Budget strategically. Look for deals, travel in the shoulder seasons (May/June or September/October), and be prepared to indulge a little. Because you deserve it. Life's too short to hoard pennies when paradise is calling! Especially when the alternative is... well, *gestures vaguely at the mundane life*.
The Blue Moon Hotel - Is It All Insta-Glam? (And What About the Wi-Fi, Though?!)
The Blue Moon... Oh, the Blue Moon. Yes, it’s gorgeous. The photos? They're accurate, I'll give them that. It *is* a beautifully designed hotel, all clean lines and that Mediterranean vibe that just hits different. The pool? Sparkling. The views? Seriously swoon-worthy.
But... and there's always a "but," isn't there? The Wi-Fi. Okay, let's just say it's… *island-esque*. Meaning, it might be available, it might be fast, and it might disappear mid-Facebook scroll. Embrace the digital detox! Embrace the idea of actually TALKING to people, for crying out loud. (I know, it's a shocker, I can barely post this!)
The staff? Lovely, mostly. There was this one guy… Marco, I think? (Or maybe it was Paolo? My memory is shot after that limoncello.) Anyway, he was super helpful with pointing out the best spots to watch the sunset. A true gem. And honestly, the imperfections? They add to the charm. It’s not some sterile, overly-perfect resort. It’s got soul. And a slight whiff of "we're on a volcanic island, deal with it." Which I absolutely loved.
Okay, Fine, It's Beautiful. But What *IS* There To DO On Pantelleria, Besides Lounge By The Pool?
Lounge by the pool is a perfectly acceptable activity, by the way. But yes, there's more! And honestly, I was worried I'd get bored. I'M NEVER BORED. I am the epitome of attention-deficit disorder. But it's actually impossible to be bored there.
First, you have to rent a car - a Jeep, preferably. The roads aren't *amazing* and you’ll need to navigate them. Then, GO EXPLORE. Hike to the thermal baths (they're… something else. Warning: they smell a bit like sulfur, but hey, it’s good for your skin!). Explore the *dammusi* (the traditional volcanic stone houses – absolutely gorgeous!). Visit the vineyards (the local Zibibbo wine? Divine. Be careful, though. It’s deceptively strong!).
Then, there’s the sea. Oh, the sea! You can snorkel, dive (I saw a *massive* school of barracuda – terrifying and amazing!), or just chill on a secluded beach. The food? Forget about it. The seafood is so fresh, it practically jumps onto your plate. Seriously, I think I ate a kilo of pasta with fresh clams. And I have zero regrets.
The Food! Tell Me About the Food! (Because I'm Always Thinking About Food.)
Oh. My. God. The food. Where do I even *begin*? Okay, so I'm a foodie, a *real* foodie, and I'm telling you...Pantelleria is a culinary paradise. Forget the diet. It's over. Buried in the volcanic soil, along with my willpower.
Fresh. Local. Flavor explosions. That's the gist of it. You HAVE to try *pesto pantesco* – it's like pesto, but with tomatoes and capers, and it’s divine. The capers themselves? They're famous. And deservedly so. I'm pretty sure they have caper-flavored everything. Delicious.
And the seafood! I mentioned the seafood, right? Grilled octopus, fresh fish, pasta with sea urchin (yes, really!). It's all incredible. And the simple stuff is just as good. The *pane cunzatu* (crusty bread with tomatoes, olives, capers, and anchovies) is a revelation. Trust me, just eat everything. Every. Single. Thing.
One particularly amazing meal? We went to this tiny trattoria, *La Lanterna*, I think it was. (My memory, I'm telling you!) It was tucked away, no frills, just amazing. The owner... he looked at us, smiled, and just started bringing out dishes. It was the best meal of my life, I swear. The *cassata* at the end? Pure heaven. I may or may not have licked the plate. Judge me, I don't care.
Any Tips for Surviving a Trip to Pantelleria? (Because I'm Clumsy and Easily Overwhelmed.)
Okay, practical advice time! (Yes, I can be practical, sometimes.)
1. **Rent a car.** Seriously. Public transport is… *let's say challenging*. And the island is best explored on your own terms. Plus, you'll need it to get to those hidden gems. Just be careful on the roads - they're narrow and winding. (I may or may not have had a minor "situation" involving a hairpin turn and a very large rock. Luckily, no harm done.)
2. **Learn a few basic Italian phrases.** Even a little bit goes a long way. The locals are friendly and appreciate the effort. Plus, it makes ordering food way more fun! (And crucial, if you end up at a trattoria that doesn't speak much English.)
3. **Pack light clothing, sunscreen, and a hat.** The sun is intense! And mosquito repellent. Mosquitoes. My nemesis. They're surprisingly enthusiastic about the joys of human blood. Ugh.
4. **Embrace the “island time.”** Things move at a slower pace. Don't get stressed if things don't happen immediately. Just relax, breathe, and enjoy the moment.City Stay Finder
