Grand Hotel Oriente

Flags fly above the entrance to this eight-story hotel with a basic beige exterior, and guests enter off the cobblestoned street through glass doors. The lobby is small, with just a few arm chairs and a long wooden front desk. There's little in the way of decoration -- in fact from the marble floors to the shiny brass-paneled pillars, the look is definitively dated -- and it's not really a place where guests would hang out. Thankfully, much of the rest of the hotel has been given an overhaul and interiors are mostly contemporary elsewhere. The rooftop restaurant and bar are the standout public areas as they provide spectacular views of the city and sea, not to mention the chic black-and-white decor with handsome etchings grouped in trendy clusters on the walls. Because of its central location and spacious, modern rooms, the hotel attracts all sorts of travelers, including couples, families, businesspeople, groups, and individuals.

This hotel is situated in downtown Naples in an area full of shops, restaurants, and bars, and close to the Stock Exchange. The Toledo Metro station is just at the corner, a minute away on foot, where guests can view artworks as well as hop on the metro to get about the city. It's a 10-minute walk from the port, where guests can board a ferry or hydrofoil headed to nearby islands or the Amalfi Coast. Most major sights in the city are within a short walk, though, including Castel Nuovo, which is just 10 minutes away on foot. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli is a 15-minute walk from the hotel, or five minutes away by metro, and the famed Castel dell'Ovo takes 20 minutes to reach by metro. Stazione di Napoli Centrale, the city's main train station, is five minutes away by metro, or a 15-minute drive in Naples' traffic. Naples International Airport is 25 minutes away by car, and shuttle service is provided. The hotel has an agreement with a nearby garage for guest parking, which is a plus since it is difficult to find parking in the area.

Rooms are contemporary and fresh, with a classic edge, and feature elegant details such as contemporary black furniture with sharp classic silhouettes, headboards upholstered in velvet, velvet drapes and bed toppers, vintage chairs done in fresh modern fabrics, and detailed molding on walls. White walls are hung with black-and-white etchings and prints in simple black frames, hammering home the modern-vintage look. Rooms are on the spacious side for Naples, and suites add even more space and have living areas plus handsome antique pieces mixed in with the more modern furniture. Some rooms have small balconies with excellent city views. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, safe. Bathrooms are also modern, and offer bidets, upscale toiletries, and rainfall showerheads in walk-in showers. Some rooms have separate hot tubs. Hairdryers, robes, and slippers are provided. Despite the city-center location, noise is not an issue. 

A free breakfast buffet is served daily on the ninth floor, with seating inside or out on the terrace with gorgeous views of the city and water beyond. Offerings include eggs and meats plus Italian cheeses and fresh fruit. Inside, the restaurant is dressed all in black and white, except for a single turquoise bottle on each table. It's a lovely, soothing space, and large windows look out onto the city. The Tuscan menu gets solid marks from guests. A bar also is on the ninth floor, with indoor and outdoor seating. Six meeting rooms can accommodate gatherings of all sorts for up to 250 people. The hotel contracts with a nearby garage for guest parking, and valet service is provided for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and the hotel runs a free airport shuttle as well.