Naples hotels
 

Hi all - was posting to see if anybody has stayed in Naples recently? I am going there with a friend next month and am currently considering my hotel options. The obvious candidates are Vesuvio, Excelsior and Santa Lucia, but would appreciate any feedback from recent visits.

Thanks in advance!

The Vesuvio is excellent. Another good choice is the Grand Hotel Parker, which is a bit less plush, but still quite luxe, and in a charming and quieter residential area. Since the Parker is higher up the hill, it has excellent views.

I woul recommend against the Excelsior. Myself and others have experienced poor attitudes there.

Have you tried a suite at Il Convento if you want to be more in town? Very private and charming.

-- --

Any new insight on Naples? We are there to visit Naples and not the surrounding sights - so near the Centro Storico would be nice.

I laughed when I saw the Vesuvio mentioned in a luxury forum. We stayed there in May and, should you choose to try it, set the bar low. It is a very commercial feeling place and the breakfast
buffet area felt like it was set up for bus tours. The location, however, was excellent, right on the water so we had wonderful views. Our second choice, the Romeo, is also on the water but in a
grittier section near the cruise port and next to a gas station. I have seen mention of a few newish boutique hotels in Naples but couldn't get enough feedback to risk it. I wouldn't say not to stay at the
Vesuvio but know what to expect....

When in Naples I always look at Renaissance Naples Hotel Mediterraneo, give it a check!
Breakfast on the top balcony is absolutely gorgeous.

That place looks drab and not in the best location.

Agreed and came here to suggest the same place. Good location to walk to many things, not far from the port, and the breakfast terrace is indeed lovely. I was only there one night en route to Capri but would stay there again on a return.

I am originally from there (emigrated 25 years ago) but also use hotels in the city when I can.

Someone mentioned “Centro Storico” as a location and Palazzo Caracciolo as luxury option is potentially the best choice, not far from San Giovanni at Carbonara Church, one of the most beautiful and underrated churches in the city.

breakfast or indeed an aperitif (you can do it as a walk in Customer, non need for a room there) on the top terrace of the Renaissance Hotel Mediterraneo is indeed nice, and the location is quite good to visit the city as it is few steps from the city Metro, as well 5 minutes from the funicolare taking you to Vomero/San Martino. Plus if you have status with Marriott Bonvoy could enjoy your perks there.

with regards to the hotels by the sea, I would strongly recommend the Vesuvio rather then the Excelsior… since it changed ownership is not longer the best hotel in the city.

if you like modern hotels, and with the additional point of having a Michelin star restaurant, Romeo is an alternative, although it face a less attractive sea front view.

finally, I could also second the Grand Hotel Parker (also with a 1 Michelin star restaurant), that being up on the hill, offers very nice view of the city, but is less convenient if one like to walk around rather than using taxis all the time.

i last stays there 5-6 years ago, but it was at 5 stars level, although it was an off peak period so maybe no need for larger Buffett or similar.. the rooms were still lux as was the room service.

Thanks! I am leaning towards Romeo as we like contemporary and my son a good gym. But is the location OK enough?

the location is only a walking distance from Municipio Square, next to Maschio Angioino Castle and some archeological ruins they unearthed when excavating for the new Metro Station.

however is facing the commercial port (right opposite where the Cruise ships dock) and more importantly it opens up right on a very busy Road, vs the Vesuvio for instance that is on a restricted traffic road and close to a pedestrian only area.

We liked the UNA in Naples (and Rome, actually) Nice room and easy access to the train station. Break breakfast.

Thanks all. We stayed at the Romeo and found it very good and the location also no problem. I recommend it.

I am glad the Romeo was good.

I was recently at the Grand Hotel Parkers and had a memorable experience, covering all aspects, including the George restaurant

I’m travelling solo in March after my friend had to cancel. Originally had two bedroom apartment booked but would prefer hotel now on my own. Good access to culture and culinary delights over budget. Any advice please?

see my post #10 above, I would not recommend anything below 4 stars in Naples, and the Mediterraneo could be a good option (if you have Marriott status even more so)

After extensive reading I’ve booked Grand Hotel Oriente. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Any recommendations on places to eat would be very welcome as there seem to be enough options to go wrong at every meal opportunity!

Thank you again. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed delving into the Italian forums. I wish I’d known about this before my earlier travels in Italy.

I’ll start with Pizza at 50 Kalò in Piazza Sannazaro. Ice Cream at Bilancione Via Posillipo. For lunch there are so many “trattoria” to experience, but L’europeo di Mattozzi e Mimí alla ferrovia may be some of the safest bet. There are also many street vendors if strolling around the shops of via Toledo. Ristorante Umberto at Chiaia is also quite solid. A figlia ro Marinaro does some traditional seafood soup that may fill one of your lunch spot. There are plenty of places on a more high end level and not necessary in the city centre, from Michelin Starred restaurants to simply offering the freshest seafood (Terrazza Calabritto, L’altro Loco Loco, and Punto Nave ).

Oh my giddy aunt!! Sounds incredible.
I have every intention of coming home carrying extra weight and I am not talking baggage or duty free 😍.
I’m going to Naples to absorb the cultural and edible feast of this part of Italy. Hey, my friends say I’m too skinny, whatever that means!
I intend trying all of your suggestions and will let you know how I get on. Thank you very much Marcopizzaiuolo your knowledgeable input has undoubtedly enhanced my trip even before it’s begun. X

I have an upcoming leisure trip to Naples and will be staying at and visiting various Amalfi coast destinations. My flight back out of Naples, however, is a 9:15 AM flight on a Tuesday in May. Will probably stay in Naples the night before that flight out and maybe have a nice dinner while there. Looking for a hotel that is convenient to the airport so I don't have to wake at 4 AM to get there for the flight; fine dining within is a plus but not necessary.

The Romeo seems to be a natural choice that meets these criteria if I am looking at things correctly. What do y'all think?

Any other suggestions or considerations I should be taking into account? I also looked at the George in the other hotel nearby. Seems to be an embarrassment of riches foodwise around there.

Naples Airport is fairly close to the city centre and/or a short drive from many part of the city connected via the Tangenziale (a three lanes highway cutting through the city). I am fortunate when I stay at my family’s home, I can get to the airport within 10-15 minute with regular traffic, even though I would be quite a larger distance away than the Romeo is for example, but you would either having to do all city roads and/or go and get the highway a bit of distance away, to then go all around. I would say to allow at least 30-40 minutes to be safe at that time in the morning (I am guessing you want to be there at least one hour and half before your flight).

Romeo is a nice hotel and had a nice restaurant but was closed for refurbishment when I was last there in November. I ate at the George’s within the Hotel Parker instead and really had one of the better meal of the last 2/3 years (I regularly eat at Michelin Stars restaurants in London and Italy, as well as when I travel in other places). But as you say there are plenty of choices, also touched on earlier in this thread. It really depends on what you fancy. If for example you already tried many “fancier” places on the Amalfi coast, you may want to try more traditional places, world class pizza, or top quality sea food places that are not aiming for Michelin guide review but offers some of the best food you can have in Italy in my opinion (some of these are not in the city though). Some places (both around Naples, Sorrento and Amalfi coast) also only operate during the summer season (Don Alfonso being one of them), so do check opening days etc.

All of the 5 Michelin starred places in the city would be worth a visit for dinner. In addition, I would consider Crudo Re, Terrazza Calabritto, Altro Loco Loco ad well as historic La Cantinella (until recently they had one of the best value vintage RDC bottle to be had in any restaurant worldwide, not sure if it was sold or someone told them to sell it at auction as it was worth more there than on their wine list).

if you can get out of the city (car rental?) there are many more places that could be visited. Again, if instead you want to have a more traditional experience, there are plenty of choices, let me know and I can add few options to the above and my previous post regarding pizza, trattorias and ice cream.

As marcopizzaiuolo already suggested, be careful with traffic. Years back I lived in Bacoli for some time (about 20+ km) and it would take me about 25 minutes to get to the centre of the city when I left at 7:30 am and about 1 hour whan I left home after 7:45 am. A small accident in front of you on the Tangenziale would add at least another 30 min to you plans.

I’m very appreciative of the advice I’ve been given for my upcoming trip. However, does anyone know about the cultural attitude towards a lone female dining in Naples. I would like to experience everything from street food (obviously not a problem), traditional taverna, Michelin star (some I know refuse table for 1 bookings). I’ve been given so many heads-up on where to eat but I’m now concerned about cultural assumptions for my being on my own. Am I taking on another’s comments too seriously. It’s not something that normally bothers me but someone’s put a worry in my mind.

Being male, I can't offer any advice based on my own experience :). But given that I've never heard anything negative from a few female friends' experiences visiting Naples alone (other than an occasional whistle on the street when they were still young), I'd say do go to, and enjoy the great Napolitan food in this wonderful city and the area.

Aside of a potential issue with high end restaurants not accepting reservation for one, I cannot see any “cultural assumptions” as such. More relaxed places may actually feel A bit sorry for you and try to be more talkative/of company (there was a great article a while ago written by a northern Italian journalist about such an experience he had in Naples and how he came to love the Neapolitan more friendly approach to strangers).

when I travel back I often have lunch (and some times dinner) by myself (male) and did notice a more talkative attitude, but not too noticeable. As far as I know, my sister that still lives there, also some times eat out by herself and has never reported anything worth of note. Again as a foreign tourist you may be offered a bit more support. Politely decline the attention if it happens to you and does not make you comfortable and that should be enough.

Thank you KLouis and Marco.
That’s exactly the response I hoped for. I was the first ever single female to directly sponsor her child as an expat working in the Middle East, an example that I’m not frightened normally! I think as you get older you take on other peoples insecurities sometimes. I’m pleased there’s nothing to be worried about and I’m looking forward to exploring the foodies delights of Naples.
Thank you guys. I appreciate you taking the time to reassure me. X

Any thoughts/opinions on Santa Chiara Boutique Hotel? It's within walking distance of a couple outstanding pizza places which a high priority for me (mainly wanting to eat pizza here), and the rooms look huge.

Never been in that hotel, but it's a great neighbourhood! And you're less than 200 m away from the Capella San Severo. This is an absolute must in Napoli, thus if you have time between two pizze (you don't need more than one hour for it), just go there. Perhaps, plan it rather for early in the morning before the tourist hordes arrive!

Hi All- would love some advice from the experts on this forum. I’ll be visiting Naples for 2 nights with my family (mostly to visit Herculaneum and Cumae). Im usually a Hilton guy, and see there is a Hilton property, Palazzo Caracciolo) that is about a 15 min walk from the main train station and well priced. I’d love to get thoughts on the neighborhood, as often being near the train station isn’t ideal. Would the neighborhood be safe to walk around at night? Any strong pros/cons of the location? Thanks for your help.

Sorry duplicate post

Unfortunately, the question of whether walking around at night in any neighbourhood of Naples will attract two kinds of answers that will not be helpful to you: Very safe and extremely dangerous! ;) I personally tend towards the first version, although I haven't been in the city for five years, and some friends tell me that things may have... changed.

There is a thread for that hotel where folks have discussed the location
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilt...aples-ita.html

thanks- I had actually seen that thread, but people seem somewhat mixed on the location (and on the property itself) so was just curious for any broad perspectives from the experts here as a potential base while in Naples.

Doesn't really look like luxury. Decent hotel in a nice building, but not in the top league.

it is a four stars property, developed within the limitation of an historic aristocratic palace. The hotel itself is fine (was used by Real Madrid when they played SSC Napoli few years ago). As a location to visit the historic centre during the morning and take the trains to Herculaneum and Cuma, also fairly located, but as a base to explore the nightlife, definitely not. Chiaia is the place to stay for that, and with the train access at Piazza Amedeo or Mergellina, also a great Choice. The other Hilton property there (next door to the Grand Hotel Parker), it is probably a better choice.

on a more general update since my last post, the restaurant at the Romeo hotel has since reopened as an Alain Ducasse restaurant, no doubt aiming to bring 3 stars to the city.

i have also done some update food exploring in the last couple of years and recently wrote a lengthy recommendation for few friends visiting the city, which I will use to create a separate thread.

Thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to reading your thread about food recommendations.

sorry, I posted it almost at the same time as it was a copy and paste job from an email I had written for my friends:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ital...-eat-city.html

We just spent two nights at Grand Hotel Santa Lucia. It's located between Vesuvio and Excelsior on the waterfront across from Castello dell'Ovo. Location is very nice. It's rated 4 stars. Our room (we wound up in a sea view junior suite on the corner) was renovated and pretty nice. I'd say the room was 4 star quality, while public spaces and service (competent but very cold) were really 3 star. Breakfast was serviceable, with an upcharge for a la carte options (which we did not try). For those with any sensitivity at all to scents, housekeeping uses a very strong, chemical-smelling "air freshener" which we found overpowering and which resulted in our rejecting the first room assigned (second was much better).

Pricing is ridiculous, which seems true at pretty much all the higher end options in Napoli right now. This place was absolutely NOT worth the 625€ per night we paid for an executive sea view. (For comparison, Vesuvio was pricing at 1200€ for deluxe sea view, while Romeo was 800€.)

Overall we did not like Napoli and would not return.