Ever watched a Nicolas Winding Refn film and thought, ‘corr, I’d like to live in a world that looks like that’? At the Romeo, you can – sans the blood and guts. Dark, glossy surfaces, loud blues and reds, mirrors all over: it’s stylish, moody, and impossible to miss on Naples’s underdeveloped harbourfront. The lobby may not be to everyone’s taste, with its illuminated water feature and stuffy cigar room, but the upper floors are elegant. Luxuriant bedding, upscale Milanese furniture and bowls of fresh fruit ensure maximum comfort in the 79 rooms and suites. The in-house spa offers everything from steam rooms and jacuzzis to a frigidarium with cascading snow (plus lighting that’s very ‘Neon Demon’). And if you can’t bag a table at Michelin-starred Il Comandante, the more affordable Beluga Bistrot & Terrace serves an excellent fritto misto, worlds away from the greasy platefuls you’ll find elsewhere. Naples isn’t known for its luxury hotels, but at the Romeo you sense even the likes of Ryan Gosling would feel at home.
Neighbourhood:
Walkable from the central station, this upmarket design hotel looks on to the ancient Molo Beverello harbour district. It’s slightly gritty, and dominated these days by vast cruise ships, but if you want to get a sense of modern-day Naples, there’s nowhere better. Head up to the higher floors, and you can enjoy views of the whole bay, with Vesuvius and Capri on one side and Castel Sant’ Elmo and Certosa di San Martino on the other.
Nearby:
1. Castel Nuovo: For a deep dive into Naples’s long history of invasion and occupation.
2. Spaccanapoli: For superb shopping and decent photo opps in the city’s historic heart.
3. Teatro di San Carlo: For rollicking performances at Italy’s oldest opera house.
Time Out tip:
Go for an early morning dip in the heated ninth-floor infinity pool. And order a cappuccino and pastries from Beluga while you’re up there.
