Hotel Europeo & Flowers

Behind a green gate, through a narrow aisle, and up a minuscule elevator to the third and fourth floors of an aging Neapolitan building sits the Hotel Europeo & Flowers. This budget property has few extra features, but it does offer a little charm and spunk. The lobby includes a small reception desk, a table with a laptop and brochures, and a few simple sitting areas (a brown couch, two chairs). It's decorated with a bright painted mural of a city street. Some of the hallways, too, are painted with scenes of city life -- columns, stone streets, terra-cotta roofs, doorways, and people. The hotel is adequately clean, thought the elevators and some of the rooms are downright tiny. But, with private rooms for families and solo travelers, this is an excellent alternative to a hostel for guests on a budget. 

Hotel Europeo & Flowers is set amongst the graffiti-covered buildings and narrow stone alleys of Naples' historic district. While the area is gritty, it's also central and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The hotel itself is easy to miss -- it's set back behind a green gate (guests must buzz to get in), but the advantage here is the hotel is a little quieter despite its location along a main road. In addition to eateries and shops, a wide array of historic sights are in walking distance, including Veiled Christ at the Museo Cappella, Saint Chiara Cloister, and Via San Gregorio Armeno, which are all about a three-minute walk from the hotel. The Dumo is a seven-minute walk, and the National Archeological Museum is a 14-minute walk. The ferries on the Gulf of Naples that go to Capri, Palermo, and Porto-Vecchio, among other places, are about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Guests can drive to Pompeii in 30 to 45 minutes and Naples international airport is about a 20-minute drive.

Rooms range vastly in size and style, but most feature tiled floors, bright walls, and floral or solid bedding. Accommodations range from single occupancy to rooms for five. While layouts can be cramped and decor can feel dated, rooms aren't without charm -- most have themes, and several feature bright painted murals on the walls. Details like bentwood chairs and brass swing-arm lamps add to the rooms' appeal. En-suite bathrooms vary but most are tiled in brown and white and include shower stalls, toilets, and bidets. All rooms are air-conditioned and include flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and safes. There is no coffee/tea service. Bathrooms are equipped with hairdryers, a few toiletries, and towels (though some guests complain these are small and thin). Rooms are fairly quiet for a central city location, though those facing the courtyard tend to be quieter.

This budget spot has few extra property features. Reception is open 24-hours, and laundry service is available. There's a laptop set out for guest use and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The hotel partners with a cafe just outside of the hotel to offer breakfast, but this costs an extra fee. There's no food or beverage service on-site. Parking is available at a nearby lot at a discount, though it's still pricey. Pets are allowed for no extra fee.