Super host/Super casa: Il Posto Fisso
I had the fortunate opportunity to spend the month of June 2022 at Claudia Sartori’s B&B Il Posto Fisso in Naples, Italy. The apartment is located in the Pizzofalcone district of Naples, directly behind the church of San Francesco di Paola, in the heart of Naples. It rests not far from the intersection of Via Gennaro Serra, a well-traveled road in the neighborhood.
The apartment is very comfortable and clean with a large living area, large bedroom, and also a bathroom. The living area has a table with four chairs, which functioned both for meals and work. Above it, there is placed a video screen and you can access NetFlix as well as other services. The internet connection is quite fast and highly reliable. The kitchenette contains an induction cooking pad and I was impressed by its performance. I made coffee each morning and it was possible to cook meals in the apartment without issue. Claudia also provided ample cooking/eating utensils to do so. The washing machine was a real asset and Claudia provided the detergent gratis. There is also a small balcony with the opportunity air dry clothes, which worked fabulously. The large sofa also converts to a sleeper bed and it was also quite comfortable.
The bedroom is large and welcoming with ample storage (wardrobe and dresser) and both rooms have air conditioning units in them. The apartment is quite cool and despite the heat wave this past summer, I primarily used only a single unit at a time and mostly in the evenings to sleep. The bathroom was also clean and comfortable with a shower box. The soaker was great and there was plenty of hot water. Claudia provided a generous number of toiletries, which helped the first day before I was able to get to a supermarket.
The apartment is more than enough for a single person and it can also easily work well for two people together. It is very close to the center of the city, Piazza del Plebiscito, as well as other sites such as the Royal Palace, Teatro di San Carlo, Maschio Angioino, and Galleria Umberto I. You are equally close to the Via Chiaia, which is great for shopping or taking a stroll in the evening. There are places to grab a quick bite to eat on the Via Chiaia or in the alleyways for a sit-down meal. The immediate neighborhood is typical of a large city like Naples: loud, in constant motion, and filled with people on the move (especially the motorini and bancarelle). One street over from the apartment you can find a small grocery store (Ciro Amodio) as well as the traditional salumeria (for meats), alimentary (variety of food items), and a fruit and vegetable shop. In terms of restaurants nearby, I highly recommend Trattoria da Ettore and Osteria della Mattonella; the latter is better and you should make a reservation.
In terms of seeing the city, you are in a good location to do so. The metropolitana is a 12-minute walk away and I would suggest using DropTicket to purchase passes online. The Metro is clean, efficient, and will get you to or near your destination including the Stazione Centrale for trains.
Claudia is a highly attentive, kind, and generous host with a warm personality. She is prompt with her responses via text message and really wants to help guests. She was immediately responsive to all my questions and made me feel at home. She is well organized and also conveyed her cleaning schedule as well as related matters with clarity. Since I travel to Naples on a regular basis, I would highly recommend Il Posto Fisso and I plan to stay here again on my next trip. Altogether a Super Host/Super Home!