Naples - Hotel Micalo
Spring 2007
Frank's view
'style with a great location'
This small, compact, luxury, boutique hotel is hidden away in a 17th Century palazzo, one road back from the sea. Micalo is situated behind iron gates and an unadorned palazzo. Through further gates, access is via a small lift or, a beautiful but barren staircase, to the second floor where Micalo is situated.
HIP hotels should love Micalo. Once you get to the hotel through the unimpressive entrance, the foyer is “uber chic”, and each bedroom is an architect’s dream use of space. The vaulted bedroom ceilings contain suspended bathrooms. Beware of sending your grandmother here, she’d never make the stairs to the bathroom.
There are fantastic sea views for three of the rooms, but the terraces are too small for seating, and other rooms overlook the palazzo or the building next door. Luckily the vaulted bedrooms feel light and airy because the palazzo does not provide a huge source of light. The use of natural stone and art, scattered in abundance is interesting. However the sugar almonds at bedtime, placed on the stone bedside tables, were the most delicious imaginable.
Lavender toiletries were beautifully subtle. The 'state of the art' tap was too long for the natural stone basin. However, I’d rather splash the glass and stone that looked down on the stunning linen clad bed, than my toes.
The Art’s bar, open between 19:15 and midnight, is the one communal area in the hotel, and also provides a perfectly personal breakfast location, where blood oranges are squeezed freshly before your eyes, and fresh warm breads and jams and conserves are included in the very reasonable room charge.
If you stay in Naples this is a unique, and as yet undiscovered choice.
Hotel Micalo
Riviera di Chiaia, 88
Naples
+39 3 48 44 32 413
Michelle at Hotel Micalo has kindly offered ArsyCamel readers who reserve a room at Hotel Micalo a 10% discount and a bottle of fine Prosecco (conditions apply - please check with Michelle when booking.) Simply mention the ArsyCamel offer when you book. (Arsycamel.com receives no benefit or commission from Hotel Micalo.)
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?




