Dear Ravennarose96,

I just got off the phone with someone at the Hotel Neapolis who said that I have to call them back again at precisely 2:30pm today in order to confirm your reservation for Nov 20-24 under your last name. I wish my pc didn't break down as I could have read your post earlier as we were near the hotel right on Via Librai/Via Nilo yesterday afternoon, and I could have dropped by to investigate the issue in-person. I remember seeing reports that one place had flooding problems a few months ago, however, I don't remember if it happened in Centro Storico or in a suburb.

In any case, the young woman who answered the phone seemed like she was in denial about my questions. I asked her if she could check on your reservation or if she ever received any inquiring reservation emails from you. Then I asked her about whether they were checking emails in general, accepting customers for the hotel, and finally if they had any problems due to any flooding in Sept. To every question the young woman answered that she didn't know. She did add regarding emails in general that the hotel receives many emails, however, she didn't answer whether they were checking them.

I think you probably read this review about the hotel's flooding:

tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187785-d257868…

I'm actually now afraid to call to confirm your reservation because if the hotel is having problems, I'm wondering if they'd confirm your reservation and hold you to it while they move you to a different place which costs more or isn't up to standards. I'll be here for another half hour or so and in fact, I'll hold off calling them again until you let me know what you'd like to do.

Buona Fortuna...

KKushiba1 -

Please, please see if you could find out any else regarding the hotel - it does sound like we are going to have problems there no matter what. Depending on how negative you feel the response from the Neapolis we would consider other hotels. Do you know of a good alternative?? We had orignially planned to stay at the Chiara B& B but then changed our minds becasue we wanted to be close to the center. We are not sure whether they would still have availability at this late date. We are on a tight budget and hope there is something available in the same price range.

Thank so much for your efforts - perhaps we can treat you to a wine or something during our visit.

Dear Ravennarose96,

If you have your heart set on staying in Napoli's Centro Storico, you might consider staying at Hotel Piazza Bellini which is maybe €30 cheaper than Hotel Neapolis. Here are some reviews:

tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187785-d646…

Even this recent review talks very highly of Hotel Piazza Bellini:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187785-i421-k1555…

I just got off the phone with the person at Hotel Piazza Bellini and although they're having a sale (4 nights, double occupancy, €270, Nov 18-Dec 18), they have just one double room Nov 20-21. If you would like the room, the price should be between €75-€130 a night. If you would like to reserve that room for 2 nights, you can contact the young lady at info@hotelpiazzabellini.com 0039 081 451 732 fax: 0039 081 442 0107

www.hotelpiazzabellini.com/vis_dettaglio.php…

www.hotelpiazzabellini.com/vis_dettaglio.php…

If you didn't want to stay at Hotel Piazza Bellini for 2 nights and then transfer to another hotel, you could consider Hotel Correre 241. I asked the young lady for a recommendation to another hotel and she recommended that one:

tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187785-d574292…

The man who answered the phone at Hotel Correra said that they have an opening Nov 20-24 (4 nights0 for a double room (double occupancy) including breakfast for €80 a night. If you'd like to make reservation or ask any questions, you can email him at

info@correra.it

http://www.correra.it/language_it/index.htm

I like Piazza Bellini more than that corner where Hotel Neapolis. I was on Via Librai and when looking up Via Nilo, the street seemed so desolated whereas the next street parallel in the direction of Piazza Bellini is Mezzocanone which is filled with students and more people which I guess has its up and downsides. In any case, I really like Piazza Bellini which has nice bars, restaurants, and many antique and used book stores especially on Via Costantinopoli where one finds Hotel Piazza Bellini. With the music academy practically around the corner, many students are seen walking around that area.

Hotel Correra 241 from Piazza Bellini is through the small street toward the ancient gate of Port'Alba and across Piazza Dante and across the street (Via Toledo) to the right a bit. Technically, the area borders the Spanish Quarter, however, that part of Via Toledo is still very popular.

Via Chiaia is an extremely nice upscale street and next tot the Galleria Umberto, the royal palace, Teatro San Carlo (oldest theatre in Europe), Piazza Plebiscito (one of the most popular piazzas in Napoli), great churches, nice shops, and Piazza Trieste e Trento(nice trendy place to drink coffee and to people watch). The area is still central, however, a little farther from Centro Storico/the old district.

Grazie/thank you for offering me a drink, however, once you're in Napoli, you'll find so many things to see and do so it's best to take advantage of what available time you have in the area to spend on yourselves.

Buona Fortuna...

KKushiba,

First let us thank you so much for your assistance - it is nice to know there are still wonderful people like you in the world!

We will try your suggestions and will cancel the Hotel Neapolis, especially since it is clear that they are having problems.

Sorry you cannot join us for a drink or perhaps lunch but if you ever need any help or information regarding the New York/New Jersey area of the USA please do not hesistate to contact us.

Buona Fortuna to you as well.

KKushiba,

One last favor - promise! We have sent an email to the Hotel Neapolis cancelling our reservations for 20-Nov - 24 Nov, but since they have not been responsive to our recent emails we are very concerned that they will charge us anyway. Can you let them know that we have attempted to cancel our reservation via email and do you expect to be charged?

Many thanks!

Rose and Ken Wagner

Dear Ravennarose96,

According to Analisa, the same young woman who answered the phone at the Neapolis Hotel yesterday, the hotel is now open for business. She said that she found your reservation for Nov 20-24, however, you are free to cancel it without charge by sending her another email from the same email account you used to send your emails. If you'd like to keep your reservation, you might send another email confirm the plans. You can address your emails to Analisa and hopefully she'll respond this time.

Hotels in Napoli are in low tourist season so hopefully you'll be able to find a hotel at least in Centro Storico without problems. I'm guessing the Hotel Piazza Bellini is an exception and I'm suprised that they don't have rooms for Nov 23-24.

Centro Storico is pretty nice in November as many merchants put out their Holiday items which makes at least Via Librai look like an offshoot of Via G. Armeno. Souvenirs cost a little less in Centro Storico as opposed to Piazza Municipio, and it's nice to see all the churches in the morning.

Buona Fortuna...

KKushibal,

Thank you again for your assistance and the tips on what to see.

I have sent an email to Annalisa attention cancelling our reservation. Hopefully we will not be charged. I plan on sending a fax to her as well when I get to work.

We have made reservations at the Hotel Des Artistes - the rate was good and the TripAdvisor reviews were OK too.

We are now looking forward to our trip and enjoying things to see and do in Naples - and of course the food!

Best Regards,

Rose and Ken

Rose in New Jersey:

Hello from your neighbor across the GW Bridge!

I will be looking forward to your trip report when you return.

We've a trip planned for next March and will stay at the Piazza Bellini.

Have a good time and a safe trip,

Stasz

Levittown, NY

Stasz,

We'll give you a full report - we are also going to Lecce and Rome.

HI Rose,

We plan to fly in and out of Rome for the March trip to Naples.

We were there last March and loved it. We stayed near the Vatican in the neighborhood called Prati at the Hotel San't Angelo. The hotel was so-so but I like the area. We will spend two nights in Rome next March at the end of the Naples trip, again, staying near the Vatican.

Getting back to Naples, when you are there you should visit the area where all the nativity creches are made(I forget the name of the street) but it should be pretty now and decorated for the holidays.

You will have a wonderful time I am sure. Have a Lemoncello and baba-rum for me.

All the best,

Maureen -" Stasz"

Levittown, NY