Creative Commons licensePhoto by flickr user jan_krutisch

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 order by which the hotels are listed bears no reflection on our preference.

Written by Nicky Swallow