Hotel Aequa

rooms very disappointing and low quality. booked a room for 3 that was definitely a double room that theyd just shoved an extra bed in. the corners all had black mould in, which was definitely not what we expected for a hotel so highly rated. the air conditioning was also slightly annoying as it was definitely not changing even though we were programming it to change and was a lot colder than it said it was- although we came in july we all had to sleep in long sleeves and hoodies!! lovely view and a great pool area. great look at vesuvius on a clear day straight from the outdoor terrace area and the pool area. lovely large pool that had plenty of room for all customers, though it didnt seem to have enough beds for the number of customers. food was overall okay. some meals, however, were slightly questionable. dining area was very nicely decorated and stylish. breakfast was a great continental-style meal. dinner, however, was not quite so good.

Me and my wife Fabienne loved staying here and felt really at home. Although we were in a foreign country (one that we love, incidentally!), we didn't feel intimidated by the different culture, but on the contrary we embraced it, and I was so happy to practice my Italian, aided by my wife who is an interpreter, in that beautiful, expressive language, and the hotel staff gave me tips on the language too. What a lovely hotel, with weddings taking place at the weekend, and this gave us an opportunity to observe the celebrations, even fireworks on the eve of the first wedding there. Hotel Aequa is a perfect base for sightseeing, with beautiful views from its terrace across to Vesuvius in the distance, and down into the Vico Equense Bay, with a train station and bus pick up point a 10 minute walk away. Visits to Pompei a 25 minute train ride and a few stops further on is Herculaneum (we actually enjoyed the latter surprisingly more) with beautiful gardens and tree lined walk ways draped with purple bouganvilleas and all manner of flora and fauna! We enjoyed a lovely day out to Capri, a boat ride across the water, I really like Positano, we got there by coach along the snaking mountain road with spectacular views onto the Amalfi Coast Bay. Lots to do in the area and a visit to Naples and Catacombs can be enjoyed too (I'm told it's very busy there!). The scented air of Herculaneum makes you picture the time of the Roman habitation there, as you see down below (about 5 metres) in the beautifully preserved buildings, villas and sea port where the ships would dock, this was dramatically enveloped by the ash and fallout from the eruption of Vesuvius at the same time as Pompei. So many quality restaurants are around the main thoroughfare in Vico Equense and busy square and fountain further up. There was a market on over the weekend where we acquired produce from places like Calabria (pesto, liquorice liquor). Fabienne found some fine cheeses there. Around the square, quality local bakers can be found displaying superb cakes, pastries and the like. Not to mention of course the famous Italian gelato! Please go and visit this beautiful, archetypal part of Italy. You won't be disappointed. I'd like to offer a special mention here for the hotel staff at Aequa Hotel, and room service who attended to our every need, but an iron would have been useful! Thanks Hotel Aequa! "Grazie Mille"!

Giacomo and staff were very friendly but professional and went above and beyond to help us. It is not only the blue sky and sea or mighty Pompeii that make a trip to Naples region so special but such encounters with Italian hospitality and artisanship that stay with us forever. I would love to go back and stay in this magnificent hotel in near future. Thanks again Giacomo and the team :)