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 Naples Hotels
Naples is without doubt one of the most vibrant cities in Italy, but it provokes extreme reactions; you either love it or you hate it. In terms of what it offers the visitor, however, it is hard to beat. Its natural setting, overlooking a wide, romantic sweep of bay with the unique backdrop of Vesuvius, is unparalleled. Its wealth of art and architecture is breathtaking. It makes a perfect base for the area's ancient sites and it's a jumping-off point for the Amalfi coast and the islands. And its food is superb. The accommodation scene has undergone a boom in recent years, and there is now a wide variety of places to stay ranging from grand 5-star hotels to lots of new B&Bs. Location is important and you have to decide which part of town you want to call home during your stay. The setting of the up-market hotels along the foreshore near the Castel dell' Ovo is stunning, but they are removed from the buzz of the city. If full immersion is what you are after, book somewhere within the centro storico. After a hot, dusty day's sightseeing in the city, the idea of a refuge in hilltop, residential Vomero might appeal too, and many of the hotels up there have fabulous views across the bay. The hotels are listed by price category, and their order bears no reflection on our preference.
 Reviews by Nicky Swallow |
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| Luxury: Old world charm and luxurious facilities with great views |
| Location: On seafront opposite Castel dell’Ovo |
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| Its sister hotel (the Vesuvio) may have the edge in terms of luxury, but the Excelsior has more old-world charm. Sharing the fantastic location and view of the Bay of Naples, this hotel, with its fin-de-siècle atmosphere, has long been the haunt of film stars and jet setters. There is a series of grand public rooms on the ground floor and a gorgeous roof terrace and restaurant. Rooms are individually decorated; those at the front, needless to say, have splendid views. |
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| Luxury: Immaculate service and luxurious facilities on the seafront |
| Location: On the seafront opposite Castel dell’Ovo |
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| Naples’ most prestigious hotel was built in the 1880s and rebuilt in 1950. Boasting a superb seafront location, the rather banal façade belies the legendary luxuries within and it is the hotel of choice of many visiting VIPs. The top floor restaurant is famous for its fantastic views. Top-end facilities include the Echia club spa and a private cabin cruiser and chauffeur-driven Daimler available for hire. Needless to say, service is immaculate. |
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| Luxury: Comfortable, old-style luxury in a stunning setting |
| Location: on Vomero hill overlooking the bay |
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| A grand hotel, albeit slightly faded around the edges, offering old-fashioned service, Parkers first opened its revolving door in 1870. The look is restrained Neoclassical, with ornate ceilings, chandeliers and elegant Empire-style antiques. The spectacular setting on the Vomero hill means that many of the rooms have fabulous, far-reaching views. The panorama is shared by the top-floor restaurant; dinner on the terrace on a warm summer evening can’t be beaten for romance, but breakfast is pretty good too. |
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| Mid Price: Stylish oasis of calm with a small pool in the city centre. |
| Location: In a private garden just west of Spaccanapoli |
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| ‘Secret Oasis’ is the term that comes to mind when talking of this small, stylish hotel. The tree-shaded garden and small pool offer a haven of peace in the midst of the craziness of the centro storico. The elegant 19th century villa houses 19 comfortable rooms done out in a modern classic style with cool, tiled floors and super-smart bathrooms. Some have direct access to the garden, but are a bit dark; those in the main villa are sunnier. |
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| Mid Price: A small hotel in an elegant palazzo in an excellent central location |
| Location: In the midst of the Chiaia shopping district yet only ten minutes walk from the sea |
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| Just a few steps from Piazza del Plebiscito, the 33 rooms of this delightful hotel are individually and beautifully furnished with antiques, canopy beds and fine fabrics. Housed in an elegant palazzo that was once home to the present owner’s great-great-grandfather, the hotel offers a warm welcome; drinks and a plate of sweet ‘zeppole’ biscuits were laid out for guests when we visited. The superior rooms have jacuzzis and balconies on Via Chiaia. |
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| Mid Price: Spartan elegance with a view in an ex-convent |
| Location: On southern side of the Vomero hill 10 mins walk from funicolare |
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| This stylish hotel occupies an ex-Franciscan convent dating from 1557 and maintains many original features; expect vaulted ceilings, frescoes above the doorways to the spacious bedrooms (once monk’s cells), lovely old majolica tiles and frescoes in the original refectory. 44 rooms are housed on six floors and all have views across the bay to Vesuvius. Furnishings, while elegant, are appropriately quite Spartan. A roof garden with pool (accessed via a stomach-churning ride in a glass lift) and a good restaurant add to the attraction. |
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| Mid Price: Elegant yet homely B&B with excellent facilities |
| Location: In Vomero, near Piazza delle Medaglie d’Oro |
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| Located in a residential area on the Vomero hill and occupying the elegant family villa of the owners, ‘Weekend in Naples’ is an up-market yet homely B&B offering excellent facilities, genuinely friendly and helpful service and good value. The rooms and suites are all different, but they all have cool tiled floors and white walls, smart fabrics in bight colours, excellent modern bathrooms and plasma screen TVs and DVDs. Several have jacuzzi baths. |
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| Mid Price: Elegant small hotel in a chic shopping area |
| Location: Off Piazza dei Martiri, just north of the Riviera di Chiaia |
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| This smart hotel has a great location in the heart of Chiaia’s network of chic little shopping streets. It is housed in a late 18th century palazzo which, in turn, occupies an ex-cloister. Marble, chandeliers, reproduction frescoes and old masters, gilt-framed mirrors and lavish flower arrangements characterise the public spaces while the luxurious bedrooms are done out in strong colours with elegant co-ordinating fabrics. There’s a small garden. |
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| Mid Price: Friendly guest house in an authentically Neapolitan neighbourhood |
| Location: Quartieri Spagnoli between Piazza Carità and Piazza Trieste e Trento |
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| Situated in the heart of Naples’ most colourful neighbourhood (the location might make some feel a little uneasy), this delightful hotel has 14 well-equipped rooms with good bathrooms. The style throughout is modern rustic with lots of personal touches. The two rooms at the top of the building have pretty roof gardens while another two have a second double bed on a mezzanine level that make them suitable for families. Public rooms include a cosy bar and a first floor breakfast room. |
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| Inexpensive: Cheerful, modern B&B in an excellent location |
| Location: In quiet piazza near Spaccanapoli and the Archaeological museum |
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| Situated on pretty, shady Piazza Bellini with its arty cafés and only minutes walk from vibrant Spaccanapoli, this small hotel offers great value for money and 10 excellent, modern rooms. The spare décor is contemporary and cheerful: parquet floors and modern wood furniture, white walls broken by a local artist’s colourful paintings, giant bedheads and bright cushions. Bathrooms are a good size and well-equipped and the whole place is spotless. Friendly, helpful staff complete the picture. |
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| Inexpensive: Eclectically stylish B&B with homely comforts |
| Location: On western edge of centro storico, just off Piazza Dante |
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| The rather unsolubrious-looking palazzo that houses this eclectically stylish, funky B&B gives no clue to the treat in store once you get inside. The three bedrooms are furnished with slightly wacky panache (there’s an old rocking horse in one, fake animal prints in another) but are comfortable and homely. Only one is en suite although the others have their own bathrooms down the hall. There’s a workout machine and a hammock on a mezzanine level and kettles in all the rooms. |
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| Inexpensive: A smart little B&B in a chic location with budget prices |
| Location: On sea front in the eastern end of the Chiaia district |
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| Sharing practically the same location and view as several of Naples most luxurious hotels, yet costing a quarter of the price, this smart new B&B occupies the top floor of an elegant, deep-red painted palazzo. The red motif re-occurs in the three sunny bedrooms which have wood floors, fresh white walls, flat screen TVs and smart black and white bathrooms. The best room has a terrace overlooking the sea. |
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