If you approach Simone’s apartment via the busy, busy Via dei Tribunali you might not believe that peace and tranquility is to be found in the Centro Storico of Naples, but once you’ve literally risen above such things in the lift in the building’s courtyard (vertigo sufferers: face the doors as you seem to ascend impossibly above the rooftops) you enter another world, where—planes aside—there’s barely a sound, and the spacious accommodation on offer is a haven. The style is eclectic (the tiling in the bathroom is a colourful masterpiece) and the room comfortable, and the view from the terrace over breakfast leads over the buildings and churches up to the Castel Sant’Elmo. The location is ideal for exploring, with any number of bars and restaurants within minutes.
Though we barely saw Simone his mum took care of check in and check out (in Italian, supplemented by sign language), and we were left to our own devices between times to get to know Naples from this charming home-from-home.