Hotel Ristorante La Lampara

“The Italian Job - bike ride from Catania to Rome, June 2014”

We stayed here 1st June 2013 - and again on 1st June 2014. The first one was reconnoitering our bike ride, remembering The Italian Campaign of WW2, arriving in Rome on the 70th anniversary of their liberation. Hotel La Lampara was, without doubt, the best hotel of the trip. The bedrooms mostly face… more

We stayed here 1st June 2013 - and again on 1st June 2014. The first one was reconnoitering our bike ride, remembering The Italian Campaign of WW2, arriving in Rome on the 70th anniversary of their liberation. Hotel La Lampara was, without doubt, the best hotel of the trip. The bedrooms mostly face the sea, which is literally a small stone's throw from your bedroom. The crashing waves of the Mediterranean are so romantic, we will be staying here again.

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“Good hotel in a nice seaside location”

We chose this hotel for a one night stay as we were driving south, since its location combines driving convenience (being near two highway exits, as well as near the Lamezia Terme airport) with the position right in front of the sea. There is no hotel beach per se, due to wave erosion, but the sea… more

We chose this hotel for a one night stay as we were driving south, since its location combines driving convenience (being near two highway exits, as well as near the Lamezia Terme airport) with the position right in front of the sea. There is no hotel beach per se, due to wave erosion, but the sea can be conveniently accessed on the side of the hotel. The room was fine: clean, new, with a beautiful view. It was on the first floor, which we accessed via a staircase (not sure if there is a lift), but the hotel personnel helped us up and down the stairs with the luggage. The Wi-Fi worked well, car parking was available in a locked area, service was prompt and cordial. The weather was not good, so we could only imagine how beautiful the sea looks like when the sun is out. We will keep it in mind for future needs.

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“Dream Sea View!”

Wow! Wow! If you love a sea view - then this hotel is perfetto!! We had a double room with twin beds (single and double also available) and the balcony looks directly out onto the sea below and beyond; further along there is the outdoor breakfast area which you can also see from the balcony. If you… more

Wow! Wow! If you love a sea view - then this hotel is perfetto!! We had a double room with twin beds (single and double also available) and the balcony looks directly out onto the sea below and beyond; further along there is the outdoor breakfast area which you can also see from the balcony. If you love listening to the sea at night to lull you to sleep, leave the shutters open; if the sea is too noisy, closing the shutters will block it out. The room is very comfortable and clean, as well as the en suite bathroom - the very friendly cleaners (Antonella and Monika) come every day and could giggle with you all morning! The room is air conditioned, which is very efficient. (it doesn't work if the balcony doors are open). There is no kettle in the room - so no tea/coffee making facilities. There is a minibar. A few more hangers would be useful in the wardrobe and the safe is quite high up on the shelf - we never used it. The hotel reception, is immaculate, with very friendly and helpful staff who speak a little English. My mum is Italian and I speak a very rusty version, though I think that helps. Francesco is very kind, helpful and approachable. Carlo also very efficient and polite - also serving at breakfast and dinner. Grazie to these two. There is no lift at this hotel - I was with my seventy-five year old mum, so if you need to take it slowly - no problem at all. The stairs go up to the first floor - there are no floors above that - which is great as there is no one above you. The breakfast, consists of fruit (including very fresh and tasty figs!), cake and cereal; fruit juices, teas, coffees and water. You can choose whether to sit outside or indoors. The restaurant has excellent choice...........if you're not a vegetarian! Spaghetti al pomodoro or a choice of the salads is pretty much your diet for the week if you're vegetarian. Though nearly two kilometres away is Falerna, so plently of places to eat there. Grazie mille to Francesco our waiter who made meal times very entertaining with fun attitude and amenable nature. There were a couple of baptism celebrations in the evening in the restaurant which was good atmosphere - and also proved the reputation of the hotel's restaurant. The restaurant is a clear favourite for the locals and Italian holiday makers who don't stay at the hotel. One evening we came back to eat and around 10pm, but they had closed the restaurant as they were quiet. The restaurant should close at 10.30pm. Luckily we were with relatives whom we had been visiting over two hours away,and they had dropped us back and we were hoping to all eat together. Instead, our relatives drove us into Falerna to a Pizzeria. There are rocks right outside the hotel on the shoreline allowing for a peaceful part of the beach. As you look at the hotel, to the left is access to the beach where the rocks are and also to a longer stretch of beach, which gets quite busy and there are no umbrellas on this side. To the right side of the hotel further along, there are chairs and umbrellas. There is also access to the beach just past the outside dining area - one of the staff will open it for you. The beach is shingle. Getting a taxi into Falerna cost around 20 euros and this price is fixed. The journey from the airport to the hotel is 25 euros and took 15min. The journey from the hotel to Falerna is 3min and cost 20 euros - better to walk - except no footpath on this stretch of road. Thanks to Carmine who dropped us there and back again one day. There are plenty of restaurants along the promenade in Falerna and there is a big market and lots of Gelaterias - as you would expect. There is also a big market in the evenings (not sure if it's every evening). They also have lots of fairground entertainment for the younger ones. Remember though - they do like their siestas so it comes alive again after 4.30pm! The beaches in Falerna are clean; waters turquoise, and you'll find a couple of big rocks in the sea as you're swimming. Great areas along the shoreline in Falerna where kids can play and paddle and be safe, as the formation of the rocks has created cove like spaces and natural paddling pools. Hiring a car is sensible, though not essential - depending on what type of holiday you want. Grazie La Lampara!

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“Excellent Seafood Restaurant”

My first encounter in this restaurant was back in 2008. I was dining alone because I was in Capo Suvero on a shopping trip, to furnish the apartment that my family and I had recently purchased. I entered the hotel/restaurant and was greeted by a lovely person (who I later discovered was called… more

My first encounter in this restaurant was back in 2008. I was dining alone because I was in Capo Suvero on a shopping trip, to furnish the apartment that my family and I had recently purchased. I entered the hotel/restaurant and was greeted by a lovely person (who I later discovered was called Giovanni) I was asked (in Italian) where I would like to sit. I choose a seat in the centre of the restaurant, where I was able to observe the other diners. I didn't want to be put in a corner alone, just because I was alone. I didn't speak italian at the time, but I did have my phrase book. The menu was in Italian, but with the help of my phrase book and a very patient Giovanni, I managed to order my meal and a glass of vino. While I waited for my meal to be served, I was attended to by a waiter called Francisco and Giovanni, who, although did not speak English made me feel very welcome. My meal of Cozze - Musssels were plentiful and cooked just perfectly. Followed by Pasta Arriabiata (piccante) I like it spicy. The pasta excellent and came with extra chilli on the side. The total cost of my meal was €18 I have visited this restaurant many times since, and the same staff give me a huge warm welcome everytime. Try it!

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