Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Not far from here is the more expensive and relatively new
Caravaggio
€€€€
(Piazza Riario Sforza, 157, behind the Duomo;
%
081-2110066;
www.caravaggiohotel.it).
This property is definitely designed for a more upscale
market, with wonderful in-room amenities and gorgeous exposed stone walls and
colorful mod furnishings. Rooms have original wooden ceilings and some have
nice-size balconies with chairs; all have views of the back of the Duomo and the
charming little Piazza Riario Sforza, where a group of local elders gathers on the
benches each morning. Rooms are almost double the price of the Hotel Neapolis,
above, starting at
55
Hotel
190 for a double, breakfast included. Still, it's an appealing
hotel, and because it's so new, its beds are ultrafirm (not having had the time to
sag). Caravaggio has the definite feel of a luxury hotel in the making. For not
much more, you can stay at one of the luxury hotels on the waterfront overlook-
ing the Bay of Naples, but you certainly won't find anything this nice in the heart
of the historical center.
A HOTEL IN THE SPANISH QUARTER
€€
€
Up the busy Via Toledo, as close to the Spanish Quarter as you'd want to
stay, is the nicely priced
Napolit'amo
55
(Via Toledo, 148;
%
081-5523626;
www.napolitamo.it).
Its rooms start at
80 for a double and are exceptionally
large—a perfect option if you're traveling with kids. The beds are solid and all the
rooms facing the Via Toledo have balconies.
A HOTEL IN SANTA LUCIA
€€
Farther down toward the very expensive hotels on the waterfront is the best
find in downtown Naples:
Chiaja Hotel de Charme
€
555
(Via Chiaia, 216;
%
081-415555; www.hotelchiaia.it).
It wasn't so long ago that a lively brothel
next door serviced many of the city's politicians and bankers, but the hotel recently
bought it to add to its eclectic collection of individually designed rooms. This place
simply oozes with character. The furnishings are all original antiques, most of
which belonged to the former owner, the Marquis Nicola Lecaldano Sasso III.
Nobody seems to remember who the Marquis was or what he did, but his taste in
furniture was wonderful. The double rooms have enormous beds (not just two sin-
gles pushed together), and come with Jacuzzi tubs and tiny balconies overlooking
the Via Chiaia.
HOTELS NEAR MERGELLINA
€€
The farthest from the city center that you might want to stay is near the
Mergellina port. Here two hotels stand out above the rest. The legendary
Hotel
Canada
(Via Mergellina, 43;
%
081-680952; www.canada.hotel-napoli.it)
leads
the list. Never mind the strange collection of art, this hotel is reliable and com-
fortable and the price is fair. Rooms start at
5
€
65 double and most have views of
the sea.
Not far away is the slightly bizarre
Hotel Ausonia
(Via Francesco Caracciolo,
11;
%
081-682278).
Rooms start at
€
90 and have a slightly offbeat nautical
atmosphere (think portholes and lots of knots), but this hotel has long been a
favorite with returning clientele. The owners are personable and accessible.
€€
