ForiArt Relais

We had loads of restaurants and shops within easy walking distance, and breakfast was included at a local café a few doors away. The owners were welcoming and friendly, and our room was big and comfortable. If you’re visiting Naples, do yourself a favour and stay here!

We stayed in a very large, clean room with nice decor, right in Naples’ historic center. My only negative was that, as is common in Italy, our very hospitable hosts didn’t speak English very well.

ForiArt Relais has five rooms and a shared area with coffee machines. We stayed for 11 nights in a large, elegant room with French windows and a balcony overlooking Via Foria. The place feels fresh, spacious, and artistically designed, and Isi was a welcoming, accommodating host. We’d love to return. These smaller stays also give us a more authentic experience than large corporate or tourist hotels. Breakfast comes as a voucher for a drink and pastry at nearby Bar Rescigno. The location is right at the edge of the historic center, close to major sights but away from the tourist crowds, souvenir shops, and pushy pizzeria waiters. Just a few meters away are a bank ATM and Market Deco supermarket. The neighborhood has plenty of good, affordable places to eat, and Michelin-star restaurant Januarius on Via Duomo is around the corner and definitely worth a visit. A five-minute walk along Via Foria takes you to the breathtaking National Museum of Archaeology in one direction, or the quiet, free Orto Botanical Gardens in the other. Walking through the historic Sanita district gives you a taste of old Neapolitan life. Further up is the Capodimonte palace, art gallery, and park overlooking the city. We’d read Elena Ferrante’s brilliant Neapolitan quartet before visiting Naples. The old apartment building that houses ForiArt has a courtyard much like the one where young Elena and Lila play and dream. As we climbed the stone stairs to our room, we half expected Don Achille to appear or Nunzia Cerullo to call down to her errant daughter.

The hotel was quiet, so we slept really well. We also got a lovely welcome and lots of useful suggestions for exploring Naples. We had a fantastic stay and I highly recommend it.