We booked to stay at the Baia Portinenti as part of our honeymoon trip to the Aeolians and, although it seems a bit of a cliché to say it, every aspect of our trip was utterly fantastic. We couldn’t have asked for more. The staff at the hotel are absolutely exceptional - really kind, friendly and more than helpful. They made us feel totally at home, despite the fact that our Italian is practically non-existent, and really went out of their way to help make our trip hassle-free (which included helping us book excursions, check weather reports for Stromboli, use their internet for online check-in for our return journey and providing a free and reliable shuttle service on both arrival and departure).
The hotel itself has a great atmosphere and bags of character too - our room was very spacious and the beautiful décor throughout was very warm and romantic. We also had a balcony with a view of the ocean where we could sit sipping local wine and watching the yachts in the little cove below - what a privilege! The free breakfast was a bonus and very handy for those heading out on tours - and the coffee and pastries are particularly good. The hotel is also only about a 5-10 minute stroll from all the main shops and restaurants in Lipari and both marinas, so perfectly situated and very convenient for anything you might want to do (unlike maybe Acquacalda or Canneto areas). Lovely hotel, lovely staff. Wholeheartedly recommended! Thank you Baia Portinenti for a very memorable stay.