Costantinopoli 104

Artù - 01/07/2004

Imagine you are suddenly plunged into the noisy and colourful streets of the historical centre of Naples. A maze of alleys with the »structure of a baroque and surreal novel», a network of magic marvels and misery experienced with the scandalous intensity of people who are aware of their existence. After being immerged in the overflowing Neapolitaness of it all, you will certainly want to find a little peace and quiet The old artnouveau villa at n°104 Via Santa Maria Costantinopoli is a small jewel of hospitality. The hotel, which takes its name from the street and the house number, is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. A large multicoloured sheet of glass dominates the main façade of the building which looks out, with its ground floor rooms, onto the garden with swimming pool surrounded by magnolias and orange trees (the fruits of which are used to make the breakfast marmalade). Just a few rooms, each with its own personality, furnished with care and fitted with all comforts, welcome guests to a family atmosphere where every detail is the result of a choice. The choices of Clelia Santoro and Stefano Civita, the creators of this elegant retreat. Seven rooms on the first floor look out onto the terrace where in summer, surrounded by flowers and Neapolitan essences, you can have breakfast on small wroughtiron tables. The villa was attentively restored in respect of its period late nineteenth century and the typically Neapolitan style of the structure, maintaining for example the decorated grit floors or using some old slabs of marble for the breakfast tables and the floor of the reception area. The furnishings of the public areas and bedrooms fit in with the elegant taste of the whole building with decape furniture matching the floors, walls with old stuccowork cornices and white marble bathrooms. The result is minimal luxury for people requiring intimate and quality hospitality, the genuine expression of Parthenopean nobility.