What People are saying

The only "miss" of our two and a half weeks in Italy

AmyandAnnieon 17/07/2017 04:56

When the taxi pulled up to the building and we saw the number 88, our hearts sank a bit. Far from the safe, charming, upscale area that was described, the hotel is in a dilapidated building in the midst of a major construction site. The hotel itself is located on the second floor and when we stepped off the small lift, we were pleasantly surprised. It was as artsy as promised, very interestingly decorated, and we were hopeful that we had booked yet another lovely hotel. We were escorted to our “seaview” room, which smelled musty, and was even hotter than the ninety degree day outside. The receptionist assured us that the air conditioning would kick in soon, although it didn’t seem to work at all. We were disappointed in the view, since it was 90% filthy construction, with a little 10% sea view off in the distance. We went to lunch, hoping that the room would be cool when we came back. But if anything, it was even hotter. We were told we could move to a different room with a view only of the dirty little indoor courtyard, and that we could have the other seaview room the next day, since it was already occupied. The air conditioner worked a little in the room we were put in, but the room still had that musty smell, and never cooled off. The refrigerator did not work, nor did the television. Because one of us was nursing a broken toe, we needed ice, but the young woman from the front desk was more concerned with the fact that we went into the “common room” and took our own ice, than she was with accommodating us. She actually chastised us for using a pitcher that they “needed for breakfast,” since there were no ice buckets. We were not happy.

The next morning, we asked Susanna at the desk, first, if she knew what time we would be changing rooms. This was the first she had heard of it, but said she’d look into it. We then asked for directions to three museums, and at first, we were confused because we pointed to the subway map and asked why she wasn’t directing us from the Chiaia stop, which was right outside the hotel. She laughed and said, “Don’t you see the construction outside? They’ve been building that station for ten years. It’s not open yet.” Yes, we had noticed the construction. She did, however, give us directions to all three museums, never thinking to mention that all three were closed on Tuesdays…and it was Tuesday. When we came back to the hotel, we asked her if she knew that all the museums were closed on Tuesdays, and she said, “Not all museums are closed on Tuesdays.” No, just the ones she had directed us to. She saw we were upset, but turned it around and said “You didn’t ask if they were closed on Tuesdays.”

The one bright spot of our experience at Micalo is Ilaria. If she had been working 24 hours a day, I think we would have had a very different experience. She was kind, courteous, extremely helpful and sent us to wonderful places in Naples and really turned everything around for us. Grazie, Ilaria.

The rooms: the rooms were artistically decorated, but obviously they need to get everything working, first of all. And the bathrooms are up a steep, winding staircase which is fairly treacherous in the middle of the night.

This hotel had some things going for it, and if management cared a little bit more about accommodating their guests, maybe once the metro stop is built and the construction is finished, it might be worth another look, but not from us.

We contacted the owner and told her what we’ve just said here. She wrote back a curt, accusatory response, pretty much blaming us for not liking her hotel the way she said others do. She made no attempt to compensate us for the lesser room for the first night and for having to move three times, and couldn’t have been less apologetic. Not the way to run a hotel.

- Amy & Annie

Charm is one thing, lack of structure is another entirely different.

MAOBauruon 03/07/2017 19:23

The hotel is very well located, in fact. But it lacks of the infrastructure to properly accommodate guests. The hotel is poorly identified (it's a struggle to find the hotel in the chaotic traffic of Naples), there is no place to unload bags and there is no one to assist the guest to carry their bags. The room received smelled awful so we were accommodated in another. But this rearrangement was charged! The room smells like sewage and I have to pay to change ?? Some rooms have very steep stairs and it is absolutely prohibitive for people with restricted locomotion. Charm is one thing, lack of structure is another entirely different. However, the receptionist was extremely friendly, which is a surprise in Italy. The Hotel's parking is relatively far away and it is run by two gentlemen of little sympathy, so get prepared.

Miss the boutique feeling

mmvanvlieton 02/05/2017 23:04

Lets start with the positives: staff great people with positive mindset, bathroom in the entresol very funny, coffee at breakfast was great. But in general i miss that qualititave feeling to the place: no warm water in the morning, no fresh towels, worn down interior, etc. Only price was boutique.

Staff worth every penny and it is not expensive

tdorison 12/04/2016 23:15

great area--best unique shopping in naples and rooms w view of gulf of naples--but the staff are beyond terrific--air berlin lost my luggage and the second the manager heard this bad news she and rest of staff made 100s of calls trying to get info on my bag--like having a mother! rooms very nice--breakfast excellent--vibe both chic and personal--stay here!

Excelente Micalo

Lisa Con 07/04/2016 12:19

Thanks for a fantastic 3 day stay. The hotel is beautiful, clean and the owner was really helpful in telling us the best local places to see and eat. We will definitely tell all our friends and hopefully stay again. Do not go anywhere else in Naples. Superb. Thank you.