In short… A comfortable night’s sleep in a historic hotel with loads of potential—a bit of faded glory on the city’s waterfront
The surroundings… Usually when I come to Naples I’m here for a night or two at the most, and I always opt to stay on Via Partenope—the grand boulevard on the water that overlooks the coastline, Castel dell’Ovo, Mount Vesuvius and Capri. It sits next to other classic hotels like the Santa Lucia, The Vesuvio, and the Royal Continental, and it’s roughly a 10-minute walk to the shopping street of Via Chiaia or Caffe Gambrinus. (You can read our Naples Black Book here.)
The vibe… The hotel opened in 1908 and has attracted politicians and celebs since then. But really, it’s a hotel that is for travelers passing through. Nothing about it feels modern—it is absolutely caught in time.
The rooms… Definitely old school, which I love, but it also hasn’t seen a deep renovation in who knows how long. Fabric walls, Murano lighting fixtures, marble bathrooms—it’s all great, just a little bit worn. I’d love it if someone would come in and preserve the best of it and update it in quiet ways. Beds and pillows are comfortable, and I always ask for a room facing the sea with a little balcony. We were in 514 and put Clara in 327, which didn’t have a seaview, but was still charming. I booked the rooms directly on their site and ours was 217 euros and hers was 160 (tax included).
The wellness… They have a small gym, but I suggest going for a walk along the promenade and having a morning swim alongside the locals.
The food & drink… I would suggest cocktails on the roof terrace, which has the best view. They make a great Campari spritz! The breakfast buffet looked fine, but I’d rather go out for a breakfast pastry at Gambrinus!
Date of stay… August 31, 2025
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