Grand Hotel Santa Lucia

Potted plants line the front of the seven-story beige Neoclassical building with balconies on all sides and flags fluttering out front. It's a stately welcome, one that's matched by the hotel's ambience indoors. Four arches distinguish the entrance, which is through a revolving glass door. The lobby is expansive and bright, with soft green walls and period details such as black-and-white marble floors, marble columns, ornate chandeliers, and grand molding and trim. Velvet sofas and chairs in shades of blue, purple, gray, and green provide fine places to sit and take in the atmosphere, while old-master paintings and rich gilded mirrors hang on the walls. The setting is elegant and glamorous, suitable for all sorts of travelers who are looking for an excellent seaside location.

The hotel is located on the seafront in Naples, a short walk from the famed Castel dell'Ovo. The waterfront area around the hotel is pedestrian-only, with restaurants and cafes nearby as well as two supermarkets. The location is ideal for tourists who want proximity to the sea, but the more lively central areas of the city are a bit of a hike. Castel Nuovo, Teatro San Carlo, and Galleria Borbonico are within a 15-minute walk. The lively areas around Piazza San Pasquale and Piazza Amedeo are about 10 to 15 minutes away by car. Museo Cappella Sansevero and nearby Piazza Bellini -- home to a vibrant cafe and bar scene -- take up to 20 minutes to reach by taxi. Unfortunately, the hotel isn't exactly within walking distance of the metro, and the train station takes 15 to 20 minutes to reach by car depending on traffic. Naples International Airport is 25 minutes away by car or an hour by train. 

There's a case of split personalities when it comes to the rooms at this hotel. To be sure, many are attractive, providing a smart blend of classic and modern decor that's a step above the dated interiors at more historic hotels in Naples. These rooms have oak veneer floors, sharp dark furniture with early 20th-century lines, and fabrics in elegant taupe shades in the drapes, upholstered headboards, and love seats (in some rooms). Antique sketches are thoughtfully hung on the walls over the white-linened beds. In contrast, though, older rooms have peeling wallpaper, outdated drapes, and worn furniture. It's worth checking ahead to make sure you're getting what you're paying for. 

Guest rooms range from the small Classic Room to the large Senior Suite with separate living and sleeping areas. The Partenope Suite provides has views of the sea and Castel dell'Ovo from a large terrace. It also offers a whirlpool tub, stereo system, DVD player, CDs, and a library. Guests are welcomed to the suite with fresh flowers, fruit, and champagne. Fitness fanatics can book the Fitness Suite, which has a treadmill and stationary bike in the suite.

All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, stocked minibars, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, radios, safes, and insulated blinds. Guests have reported problems with the air-conditioning being loud and not powerful enough. Some rooms have unfurnished balconies with beautiful views of the sea or city. Marble bathrooms are on the small side and come with phones, bidets, rainfall showerheads, hairdryers, robes and slippers, and exclusive toiletries.  

Guests can start their day with a free breakfast buffet at the Santa Lucia Restaurant, a bright, sunny space with marble floors, traditional artwork hanging on soft gray walls, white tablecloths, rich molding, and grand light fixtures. Breakfast options include standard continental fare, plenty of cakes, meats, cheeses, and hot dishes like eggs and sausage. Il Pavone Bar is a more colorful space with red, blue, green, and gray velvet chairs and soft green walls. It has a nice selection of Italian wines and a menu of light dishes as well. Marble floors, big columns, and ornate chandeliers are among the period details. The Library Room provides a quiet place for guests to read or just hang out. The small gym offers a limited selection of modern cardio and weight-training machines, as well as exercise balls, and there's a computer station by the stairway with two Apple computers. The hotel's six meeting rooms are on a floor of their own and can accommodate social or business gatherings of up to 180 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and valet parking is available for a fee.