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.

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.